Dehradun-anyone been there or know anything about it?
Jun 10th, 2007, 08:44 AM
#21
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Son is leaving in 2 weeks at the end of June.He finishes final shots next weekend. He is getting very excited about this new chapter in his life and all that he will see and do.
Couple quick questions-what type of raingear do people wear in India during the monsoon season as it is soooo hot? I know that shorts are kinda of a no no in India when it is so hot so what would everyone recommend that he take to wear to keep cool? thanks!
Couple quick questions-what type of raingear do people wear in India during the monsoon season as it is soooo hot? I know that shorts are kinda of a no no in India when it is so hot so what would everyone recommend that he take to wear to keep cool? thanks!
Jun 10th, 2007, 02:13 PM
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He will be able to buy a nic ebig umbrella there but take one with him. You are right a rain coat is not good in the heat. Some of those quick dry trousers from REI or the like will be good I wear them hiking and get wet and then they dry out very quickly.
All sounds very exiciting!!!
J
All sounds very exiciting!!!
J
Jun 10th, 2007, 10:33 PM
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Shorts on men are really not an issue, esp those longish baggy shorts which are what the boys all seem to wear these days. Sikhs often where knee-length shorts as part of their dress. It's shorts on women that are not really widely seen, and even then they would be accepted (esp on a foreigner), a woman would just get a lot of stares. Indians are very tolerant of dress in my experience. Only in some temples and mosques is dress at all an issue.
Agree that a raincoat is not necessary. A good umbrella is. Actually a folding one is probably going to fit into his suitcase better and also his backpack, etc. One of those sturdy folding ones with a one-handed button for automatic opening would make a nice gift if family members are looking for gifts. A hat as well, often as good in a light rain.
Agree that a raincoat is not necessary. A good umbrella is. Actually a folding one is probably going to fit into his suitcase better and also his backpack, etc. One of those sturdy folding ones with a one-handed button for automatic opening would make a nice gift if family members are looking for gifts. A hat as well, often as good in a light rain.
Jun 15th, 2007, 01:53 AM
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Dehradun is a fast developing city- on the foothills of the Himalayas. Dehradun has the amongst the best schools in the country (Doon School being the most highly rated school). Expect lots of rain & some hot sun till september. MacDonalds, Baskin Robbins & Nirulas are all there feeding the school kids. Its a great base for mountain hiking & river rafting (after the monsoons). If you enjoy Greenery & mountains you will love Dehradun.
Jun 20th, 2007, 07:29 AM
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Hi--I am resending it as I don't see the original, sorry if it duplicates.
I am born and brought up in Dehra Dun, as said earlier it has very good schools. It is more of a professional city, forest institute, army town, IMA--defence school. It rains quite a bit there so by end of June it won't be very hot, but summer will be till mid Aug, Sep and Oct will be pleasant, November will need sweaters and light jackets/windsheeters and from mid December to mid Feb sweaters plus jackets. I am guesing he will be there for 5 months only so he will be coming back in December so may not be very cold by then. They don't have central heating there, people use small heaters but electricity being expensive not all the time. I would advice to take water proof jacket from here, that will help from rain. I remember umbrella not being sufficent for winds and heavy rain water, and can be used for coolar weather.
Ans to your question about similarity with US city, I compare it to Atlanta -- only geogriphically(hill) and weather(all four seasons but not extreme). You can not compare any Indian city to US city. I would consider it to closer to Delhi but much smaller and with better people.
It has developed a lot but still they have one market and that area gets very congested, people don't follow traffic rules.Rajpur Road, is the road which goes to Mussorie, is a good hang out place for young kids, army cadets and young adults. Good eating places, with better hygine, most of them are air conditioned we eat in that area. Most places use aqua guard filter water there, but at least for 1st two months he should buy water from a reputeted shop. Elloras, Grand are the big backeries there. Dehra Dun has very good backery products.
Dehra Dun has now become capital of Utranchal(new state, spin off Uttar Pradesh), so now I see road signs and better roads, but every year it rains a lot that takes toll on road.
I am sure your son will like it, he should take "OFF" spray and lotion(I always take) and all possible medication specially malaris medicine. Though you should take 2 weeks before but he can start any time and continue. July and August will have musquitos. It rains a lot but being a hill water does not stay for very long so no flods but during rain you can see dirty water with trash on streets.
Hope it helps, I know he is leaving very soon. Wish him all the best. Don't forget Malaria medicine and OFF. And may be some diarhea medicine, my family over there is having these day, don't want to scare you, I am a mom too, but as a precaution.
If you any other question I will be happy to answer.
I am born and brought up in Dehra Dun, as said earlier it has very good schools. It is more of a professional city, forest institute, army town, IMA--defence school. It rains quite a bit there so by end of June it won't be very hot, but summer will be till mid Aug, Sep and Oct will be pleasant, November will need sweaters and light jackets/windsheeters and from mid December to mid Feb sweaters plus jackets. I am guesing he will be there for 5 months only so he will be coming back in December so may not be very cold by then. They don't have central heating there, people use small heaters but electricity being expensive not all the time. I would advice to take water proof jacket from here, that will help from rain. I remember umbrella not being sufficent for winds and heavy rain water, and can be used for coolar weather.
Ans to your question about similarity with US city, I compare it to Atlanta -- only geogriphically(hill) and weather(all four seasons but not extreme). You can not compare any Indian city to US city. I would consider it to closer to Delhi but much smaller and with better people.
It has developed a lot but still they have one market and that area gets very congested, people don't follow traffic rules.Rajpur Road, is the road which goes to Mussorie, is a good hang out place for young kids, army cadets and young adults. Good eating places, with better hygine, most of them are air conditioned we eat in that area. Most places use aqua guard filter water there, but at least for 1st two months he should buy water from a reputeted shop. Elloras, Grand are the big backeries there. Dehra Dun has very good backery products.
Dehra Dun has now become capital of Utranchal(new state, spin off Uttar Pradesh), so now I see road signs and better roads, but every year it rains a lot that takes toll on road.
I am sure your son will like it, he should take "OFF" spray and lotion(I always take) and all possible medication specially malaris medicine. Though you should take 2 weeks before but he can start any time and continue. July and August will have musquitos. It rains a lot but being a hill water does not stay for very long so no flods but during rain you can see dirty water with trash on streets.
Hope it helps, I know he is leaving very soon. Wish him all the best. Don't forget Malaria medicine and OFF. And may be some diarhea medicine, my family over there is having these day, don't want to scare you, I am a mom too, but as a precaution.
If you any other question I will be happy to answer.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 05:04 AM
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Nimi-I just got back from traveling and saw your posts. Thank you so much for the information on Dehradun. I do have a couple quick questions though. what malaria pills do most people take over there? He is having a hard time getting doctors to give him more than one month here so am very concerned.
Is it easy to get malaria pills there and diarhea medicine?
Should he bring some type of mosquito netting for his bed at night-he will be in an apartment? Do most apartments have some type of fans or air conditioning?
Can you think of anything that you would include in your packing list to go there that perhaps he could not get readily? I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
Is it easy to get malaria pills there and diarhea medicine?
Should he bring some type of mosquito netting for his bed at night-he will be in an apartment? Do most apartments have some type of fans or air conditioning?
Can you think of anything that you would include in your packing list to go there that perhaps he could not get readily? I appreciate you taking the time to answer.
Jun 22nd, 2007, 07:50 AM
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As thursdaysd said, I have also got prescription for 2 1/2 months my travel time + before and after. But if you don't have time to look for another Dr or travel clinic, get it for 1 month, atleast he can start and buy more over there. We have taken --Lariam (Mefloquine), and its available there. I come back in July, so don't remember exactly, but rainy season is usally till end Aug till than it is musquitos time. Nobody in my family uses musquito net, (though its considered best) they have musquitos but not infested with them, don't get scare, and problem is usally for night time only. I use OFF at night and they put electric repellent in every room, which most places have, you have to put new ---- every night(can't remeber the name) And I did not take malaria medicine last yr for anybody, but have taken for every visit before usally in summers, and sometimes not continued for whole visit
They should have fans in every room, AC is there but not common, and once rains start, it gets much better, still hot but fans work. Electricity can be problem but most places have inverter so when electricity goes it starts automatically, but it can not take too much load. Does he has a place where he will stay or a hotel. Usally rented places don't come with cooking stove and fridge-- common feature in US. He will figure that out.
If he has space he should take a mid wt winter jacket/coat, as Nov end it starts getting colder so if he has to go out at night time he may need or plan on layers, sweater and light jacket which he should definetly take.
If you are at colder place here and like hand wooven sweaters they are very cheap there, he can get some for you. He can get woollen strolls/scarfs there too, they call it "shawls" wider than the scarf size here. Winter clothing will start in Oct only, most of places you have to bargain but shops on Rajpur Road usally don't bargain, so if they say they don't have any discount than thats it. Usally if it is an Air conditioned store its targeted for richer people.
I take Jello for my kids I save it for upset stomach, some times we use it sometimes we don't, than we use as treat at end of stay. Another thing for upset stomach is a "Biochemic medicine no 8 for Diareha" which we get there in homeopathy stores may available at chemists(pharmacy) shops. It has small white sweet pills, we use that when we start feeling upset stomach, it has direction on that. Not everybody there uses it.
Another very important etiquette rule, no body calls another person by there first name unless you are younger or close friends, definetly at his work place he should call people Sir or madam/mam, some people get very offended if you use there name. He can judge that later, how is the enviorment at his work place, as many places are becomeing "Americansied"
He is going at very good time, he will see main festivals there, most of his stay weather will be pleasant.
What has he decided for travel between Dehra Dun and Delhi, you should check Indian Railways web site, google it, he can get "Tatqual--instant" reservation in "Shatapdi" if reg is not availble, if he is taking too much luggage its hard to fit in as that is a sitting train, June is pick travel time between Delhi and Haridwar/DehraDun but if you go early than potter will adjust the luggage.
Another train option is Rajdhani, I don't know the timings or Mussorie express it starts at night.
Thats all I can think, let me know if you have other question.
They should have fans in every room, AC is there but not common, and once rains start, it gets much better, still hot but fans work. Electricity can be problem but most places have inverter so when electricity goes it starts automatically, but it can not take too much load. Does he has a place where he will stay or a hotel. Usally rented places don't come with cooking stove and fridge-- common feature in US. He will figure that out.
If he has space he should take a mid wt winter jacket/coat, as Nov end it starts getting colder so if he has to go out at night time he may need or plan on layers, sweater and light jacket which he should definetly take.
If you are at colder place here and like hand wooven sweaters they are very cheap there, he can get some for you. He can get woollen strolls/scarfs there too, they call it "shawls" wider than the scarf size here. Winter clothing will start in Oct only, most of places you have to bargain but shops on Rajpur Road usally don't bargain, so if they say they don't have any discount than thats it. Usally if it is an Air conditioned store its targeted for richer people.
I take Jello for my kids I save it for upset stomach, some times we use it sometimes we don't, than we use as treat at end of stay. Another thing for upset stomach is a "Biochemic medicine no 8 for Diareha" which we get there in homeopathy stores may available at chemists(pharmacy) shops. It has small white sweet pills, we use that when we start feeling upset stomach, it has direction on that. Not everybody there uses it.
Another very important etiquette rule, no body calls another person by there first name unless you are younger or close friends, definetly at his work place he should call people Sir or madam/mam, some people get very offended if you use there name. He can judge that later, how is the enviorment at his work place, as many places are becomeing "Americansied"
He is going at very good time, he will see main festivals there, most of his stay weather will be pleasant.
What has he decided for travel between Dehra Dun and Delhi, you should check Indian Railways web site, google it, he can get "Tatqual--instant" reservation in "Shatapdi" if reg is not availble, if he is taking too much luggage its hard to fit in as that is a sitting train, June is pick travel time between Delhi and Haridwar/DehraDun but if you go early than potter will adjust the luggage.
Another train option is Rajdhani, I don't know the timings or Mussorie express it starts at night.
Thats all I can think, let me know if you have other question.
Jun 27th, 2007, 06:38 PM
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Nimi-my son left Chicago yesterday only to miss his flight out of JFK to Mumbai. We had horrible weather here and he arrived too late in Jfk. Tonight he is STILL waiting to leave for Mumbai but they are having horrible storms.........he is so tired and upset as we have lost money on hotels and reservations on SpiceJet connecting to Delhi.
My question to you is: we are having problems with calling India. We have serveral call packs but nothing is going through to talk to anyone. The country code is 91 but what do you do when you want to call a 1 800 number there? Is there a special coding that we are not using? Thanks for your help and hopefully he will be over there in the next day or so..........
My question to you is: we are having problems with calling India. We have serveral call packs but nothing is going through to talk to anyone. The country code is 91 but what do you do when you want to call a 1 800 number there? Is there a special coding that we are not using? Thanks for your help and hopefully he will be over there in the next day or so..........
Jun 27th, 2007, 09:27 PM
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So sorry to hear about his missed flight, try if he can get direct flight to Delhi.
I am not aware of 1 800 nos in India, they may be local US nos. If you can get non 800nos try them. I am sorry I am not able to help.
We use https://www.relianceindiacall.com/web/globalhome.aspx to buy prepaid calling card to call India, you sign with your home phone no, it costs around 8 cents per minute, to call from USA.
Hope he gets on a flight, wishing you all the best.
I am not aware of 1 800 nos in India, they may be local US nos. If you can get non 800nos try them. I am sorry I am not able to help.
We use https://www.relianceindiacall.com/web/globalhome.aspx to buy prepaid calling card to call India, you sign with your home phone no, it costs around 8 cents per minute, to call from USA.
Hope he gets on a flight, wishing you all the best.
Jun 28th, 2007, 07:39 AM
#36
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Latest update or "the journey from Hell"? Son is STILL at JFK having had to spend the night on the floor there. The flight left 2 hours late last night but then had to go back to the gate due to horrible lightening and bad weather combined with the crew not having enough extra hours to fly the long haul flight. JFK had soooooo many people stuck that all the hotels were booked so people had to sleep on the floor with their one pillow and blanket from the flight. Today(Thursday) the flight is supposed to leave around 2PM so we will see. I finally got some emails from "his people" so hopefully we can get them to pick him up if and when he gets to Delhi.They made train reservations on Saturday for Dehra Dun so am hoping that he can still meet up with them to connect to that. He is really tired,having some back problems now with sleeping on the concrete floor and says he is getting really sick with a bad cold so am hoping that he can really sleep on the flight.
I have lost a few dollars on his connecting flight on SpiceJET and now Kingfisher Airlines redoing the reservations.These storms the past few days have really messed up both ORD and JFK airports leaving thousands stranded.Talk about bad luck!
Nimi-we use PINGO calling for our international calling from home but even that did not work. I do like Kingfisher Airlines as they have a US phone number.
Agtoau-thank you for your kind offer. Will call if we cannot work anything out but appreciate your help.
Stay tuned.................
I have lost a few dollars on his connecting flight on SpiceJET and now Kingfisher Airlines redoing the reservations.These storms the past few days have really messed up both ORD and JFK airports leaving thousands stranded.Talk about bad luck!
Nimi-we use PINGO calling for our international calling from home but even that did not work. I do like Kingfisher Airlines as they have a US phone number.
Agtoau-thank you for your kind offer. Will call if we cannot work anything out but appreciate your help.
Stay tuned.................
Jun 28th, 2007, 08:11 AM
#37
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dutyfree, Kingfisher is a superb airline, among the very finest in the world. And it may soon come to the good ol' USA. See this -
http://tinyurl.com/2tcaot
http://tinyurl.com/2tcaot
Jun 28th, 2007, 10:28 AM
#38
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Out of couriosity does he have any form of travel insurance or did you pay for these things that you have "lost" money on with a credit card that may have some sort of insurance built in? May be worth looking into.
Sorry he is starting his trip on the floor at JFK hopefully in a few weeks he will be looking back and laughing at it all!
Take care
J
Sorry he is starting his trip on the floor at JFK hopefully in a few weeks he will be looking back and laughing at it all!
Take care
J
Jun 28th, 2007, 06:48 PM
#39
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No travel insurance but did charge the India tickets with a credit card.He FINALLY got off around 230Pm this afternoon so hopefully "no news is good news". I just want him to get to Delhi on time to meet up with his office people who will get him on the train. And you wonder why I drink red wine? Thanks everyone!
