HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY, INDIA!

[JeffinDEN]

I saw those commuter trains in India on the amazing race. They all kept pinching the white girls' asses :P .

I'd like to see a train pinch someone's ass...

[Soku39]

I saw those commuter trains in India on the amazing race. They all kept pinching the white girls' asses :P .

[indian airlines]

I dont know any pancakes that have been nuked by India.

I don't even know of any country that has been nuked by India!

[AEagle40]

Whats the difference between Pakistan and a pancake?
I dont know any pancakes that have been nuked by India.

Simpsons reference, I know I know.

Anybody ever watch the Clerks cartoon where they flashbacked to when they worked at the Quick Stop in India? Very funny.

Anyways it's good to see Britian losing control over colonies. After all, they lost control of us and look at us now. (USA). I have a nice picture of an Air India 747 somewhere that my dad took. I need to find it.

[indian airlines]

In my travels to the North, I've found that the trains are typically better in the South

Disagree

Expect a LOT of beggars on the train. Many will try to guilt you into it by showing some enlarged (or missing) body part. Or better, a large wound that appears to be rotting. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY!!!

TOTALLY AGREE!!!!! They will fleece you like anything. Give them a paisa and you'll soon find your wallet considerably lighter, and a big headache on your head.

As for the beds, I would recommend you getting a window seat since it is the best way to catch a glimpse of the true India-the one that lives in it's villages.

Yeah, a window seat is excellent for first timers, but I personally prefer the top seat. You get to sleep on top at night, and sit on the bottom during the day.

If you want to speed some things up, and have some money to burn, take Rajdhani/Shatabdi train. They typically run a bit faster than the usual one.

The rajdhani and Shatabdi are India's best trains, only they don't travel to all places. The rajdhani express is a fully a/c train - you'll love it. And it isn't even all that expensive, if you don't travel first class.

DO NOT drink any tap water coming out of ANY public place/train/home. Buy bottled water. Even though many claim that the water is just as pure, there is no way of telling. I've gotten sick from drinking that water, and trust me, it's no fun.

Yeah, this is especially true for foreign tourists. Don't drin water that is not within a sealed bottle, or that has not been given top you by somebody you trust. The safest water in India is Bisleri, followed by Aquafina(by pepsi) and another one by Coke, the name i'm forgetting.

Also, get some Bombay Bhel Puri from one of the street vendors. Feel free to buy stuff from the street sellers, since that is usually a bit clean. You don't have to step into a restaurant for a snack.

Yeah. Street food is extremely safe, and clean, and very very tasty, specially bhel. However, one word of caution, don't have anything with green chutney if it's raining, and if the bhel from a street seller in bombay costs more than Rs. 20, kick him in the ass, because he's trying to fleece you.

I am assuming you are non-vegetarian. This may come as a challenge to you in some parts of South India, since much of the population is vegetarian. There are many restaurants that carry a 'Vegetarian' sign. In Mumbai, you'll find things a bit easier. Don't expect to find beef or pork in many places due to religiuos taboos. Also, don't assume anyone you see in India is a Hindu. Some religious minority groups are pretty touchy about it. If you need more clarifications, feel free to PM me or post on this thread.

Non veg food is not really a problem, just you won't find it in too many places in the south. In the north/east, it's abundant. Speciality food in goa is seafood, and same in kolkata. Kolkata also has a wide variety of non-veg food. try the Kathi Kebab if you ever get the chance.

Beef may not be available in local restaurants, but you'll find it at any restaurant in a 5 star/4 star hotel.

Tanuj.[/code]

[CheckSix]

Congrats!

[ATLcenter]

Pshaw! GO to KErala and take one of the state transport buses to Palghat! It's one of the most homely towns in India, but there is a dam there, and they've built this cable car that goes clear over the dam and it's reservoir.

As for sleeper car, if this is your first time, you will have a lot to get to. In my travels to the North, I've found that the trains are typically better in the South. Expect a LOT of beggars on the train. Many will try to guilt you into it by showing some enlarged (or missing) body part. Or better, a large wound that appears to be rotting. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY!!!

As for the beds, I would recommend you getting a window seat since it is the best way to catch a glimpse of the true India-the one that lives in it's villages. From what I've seen, you're going to Goa.

If you are going to Goa by train, be sure to take the Konkan railways-it is a privatly constructed rail route that cuts along the West Coast of India. There are many, many, many, tunnels and one of the longest rail bridges in India is there. Btw, that train goes all the way to points south to Kerala.

If you want to speed some things up, and have some money to burn, take Rajdhani/Shatabdi train. They typically run a bit faster than the usual one.

From your itinerary, I see you are taking a circular train journey. I think INdian Railways (monopolized and owned by the Govt of India) gives discounts for that. Also, consider an IndRail pass- it offers unlimited train travel for the times specified. It is only for foreign nationals or Indians who live abroad.

DO NOT drink any tap water coming out of ANY public place/train/home. Buy bottled water. Even though many claim that the water is just as pure, there is no way of telling. I've gotten sick from drinking that water, and trust me, it's no fun.

If you can high-tail it out to Mumbai, then you've re-entered my turf I believe Jaipur-Goa puts you thru Mumabi, but I am not sure. If you ca, visit VT (Victoria Terminus). It has been renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and it is one of the rail stations that the Brits made. It is one of INdia's largest rail station. DO NOT GO THERE DURING RUSH HOUR! Any major city during rush hour will treat you with LA- traffic in 90 degrees with smog, grime and dust. And no sane drivers are ever on the roads. So don't bother. Also, there are metro trains in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and some other ones. Kolkata has india's only underground subway, so give that a try. Don't go to any beaches in Mumbai if you are going to Goa!

Oh, the metros! You will not be able to get in the train during rush hour. So many people take the train, people will hang out of the doors, etc. In fact, you can't see the train at some stations because of the crowd. So don't take that. A taxi ride from South Bombay to Central Bombay can take upto 3.4 hours (distance: 20 kms) during rush hour. So in short, if you're going anywhere for dinner, it had better be walking!

Try and get to ISKCON near Juhu beach. It is a temple in india that serves some of the best food. Also, get some Bombay Bhel Puri from one of the street vendors. Feel free to buy stuff from the street sellers, since that is usually a bit clean. You don't have to step into a restaurant for a snack.

I am assuming you are non-vegetarian. This may come as a challenge to you in some parts of South India, since much of the population is vegetarian. There are many restaurants that carry a 'Vegetarian' sign. In Mumbai, you'll find things a bit easier. Don't expect to find beef or pork in many places due to religiuos taboos. Also, don't assume anyone you see in India is a Hindu. Some religious minority groups are pretty touchy about it. If you need more clarifications, feel free to PM me or post on this thread.

ATLcenter

[indian airlines]

Duplix,

I lived all over India, but for the most time in Delhi.

Maybe I will do the following by train (sleeper class): Kolk - agra - dehli - jaipur - Goa - kolk. But I could also end up in the south .

Been there (everywhere), done that!

You will really like Goa. It's the best place in India.

[duplix]

ME from India - here - hello!

Two things to watch out for when in India - the Republic day parade, and the Independence day parade. They are rally cool, with a flypast and everything at the end. I missed it this year (this is the first year I've not been in India for Republic day or Independence day).

Duplix, ask ATLCenter about the south, come to me abt the North. Hell, I lived there for 15 years!

Tanuj.

Great
Where did you live?

[duplix]

Duplix, if you need any help on anything, feel free to ask. Even though im in the USA, I can whip up some info pretty quick (been there 7 times for 2-4 months, lived there for 4 years). Although I am more familiar with south India, I'll give the north a shot

Thanks, I am sure you could provide me with some very useful information

These are some vague ideas about my stay in India.

During the first three months (sept - nov) I will to stay around Kolkata. I dont know yet if I will have a lot of time to make any trips.
During midterm I am thinking of making a trip to Sikkim (yes, I have a stamp on my visum for a 15 day stay that area ).
Fortunately, I have a lot more time to travel in december. I still havent decided where to go then, although there are some places and sites I dont want to miss (like agra). Maybe I will do the following by train (sleeper class): Kolk - agra - dehli - jaipur - Goa - kolk. But I could also end up in the south .

[indian airlines]

ME from India - here - hello!

Two things to watch out for when in India - the Republic day parade, and the Independence day parade. They are rally cool, with a flypast and everything at the end. I missed it this year (this is the first year I've not been in India for Republic day or Independence day).

Duplix, ask ATLCenter about the south, come to me abt the North. Hell, I lived there for 15 years!

Tanuj.

[Greg]

Ohhh...we doing story of our lives. Or should I start a new thread?


I was born in April 1987 in Annapolis Maryland at the Anne Arundel General hospital and immigrated to Arnold a day later. I joined this forum in January 2003 and have happily been here since then except for a month.

[ATLcenter]

Well, Flying High, here goes:

I was born in 1988 in a really small village in Southern India in Kerala state. After moving around South India for a few years, my dad got a job in Lowel, Massachusettes. So a year after my dad went to the Us of A, my mom, sis and I got on our first 774s to JFK! I was 4, me sister 8, and I don't know how old me mom was.

So after getting used to America, we decided it was time to see our relatives again. So from then on, we've tried making it to India every summer break:

1994-April-August-AA/Gulf Air
1995-May-August-AA/Gulf Air
1996-DID NOT GO; OLYMPICS IN ATL
1997-May-August-KLM
1998-June-August-KLM/NWA
1999-November-KLM/NWA
2000-June-July-KLM/NWA
2001-May-August-KLM/NWA
2002-June-August-Delta
2003-DID NOT GO;WENT TO EUROPE

So that explains why I've been there so much....wow...talk about self-gloss! I should write a book! Lol

[Flying High]

Duplix, if you need any help on anything, feel free to ask. Even though im in the USA, I can whip up some info pretty quick (been there 7 times for 2-4 months, lived there for 4 years). Although I am more familiar with south India, I'll give the north a shot

So, how's the sotry of your life???

You were born in India, then came here, then went back to India, then back again here.

Is it something like that???

And now, my contribution to the thread:



Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata

Punjab-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha-

Dravida-Utkala-Banga

Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga

Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga

Tava shubha name jage

Tava shubha ashish maange

Gahe tava jaya-gatha

Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata

Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he

Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!


Thou art the rulers of the minds of all people,

dispenser of India's destiny.

Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha,

Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal;

It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,

mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by

the waves of the Indian Sea.

They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.

The saving of all people waits in thy hand,

thou dispenser of India's destiny,

Victory, victory, victory to thee.

[ATLcenter]

Double post