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Travel Health Diaries

Thoughts on India

1. Cows, dogs, monkeys, pigs, goats wander at will on roads, on sidewalks, everywhere.

2. Said cow, dog, monkey, pig, & goat poo is a pedestrian hazard. Always wear covered shoes
    and shorter length trousers for necessary clearance.

3. There are no road rules as far as I can see. When driving you only need three things - a good horn,
     good brakes & good luck. If crossing a road on foot, look for a local & stick to them like glue.

4. Squat toilets are hard work. Practice holding squats for at least a minute during your pre tour workouts.
     Always carry a tissue just in case!!

5. Touts & hawkers will harass you to death to buy that dodgy t-shirt, necklace, postcard, wall
    hanging, book, etc. Develop a hazy glaze & pretend you can't hear them. They will eventually move
    on to another tourist.

6. Postcards (and Princess Di) lied. The Taj Mahal is not visible against a blue sky backdrop &
    sunshine. It is barely visible from 100 metres away. A perpetual haze of pollution lies everywhere
    despite a vehicle free perimeter around the site.

7. Shopping is a health hazard. Everything must be bargained for. Keep a poker face. The best prices
     are negotiated as you are walking out of the store.

8. Indian salesmen have kissed the Blarney Stone & would make excellent car salesmen or real
     estate agents in another life.

9. Never wear white in India. No white shirts, bras, undies etc.  While it looks cool & refreshing,
     if it doesn't turn black from the washing then it will from the dust & dirt flying around.

10. At some point in time you will get Delhi Belly. It does pass (pardon the pun).

11. Road safety is only half way there. Helmets are compulsory for the motor bike rider but not
     the passenger. Seatbelts are compulsory only for those in the front seat. Guess which half
     I am going for.

12. You can cram 5 people on a motorbike & legally get away with it. It is possible to fit 8 people
     in a 3 person tuk tuk. Performance will be affected but only one trip is necessary.

13. Woman definitely work harder than men. (As is the case in most countries!!)

14. The sewerage system can't cope with toilet paper. The use of Vicks up your nose has many benefits.

15. Indian people come in 2 sizes. Country folk who are reed thin from working hard & city folk
     who have enjoyed one too many curries.

16. 220km takes 5-6 hours to travel. Don't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

17. Camels are beautiful graceful animals but when camel trekking through the desert, camel riding
     should not exceed 3 days otherwise walking normally will be difficult.

18. Bike riding through the remote villages of Rajasthan is fun as long you aren't on a bike with no
     gears & a saddle the size of a dinner plate.

19. Travelling Indian style on top of the bus means more room, more air flow, & way more fun.
     Would I consider doing this in Australia – not bloody likely.

20. India is a renovator’s delight. Everything is a work in progress. Lots of stuff started but not
     quite finished. Project Managers could make their fortune here.

21. India will hold the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Good luck with that.

21. You will smile & say hello (Namaste) & goodbye (Tata) a thousand times in both English &
     Indian during your stay so keep the enthusiasm up for each one. The kids love it & secretly you do to.

You will love India. It is a mad, overwhelming, magical place. Expect the worst & it will blow your expectations.

Written by Loretta Basei
India, October 2007