How Safe is India

Old Dec 14th, 2010, 02:50 AM
  #21  
 
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If you don't have time to plan properly for India, and you don't sound that keen on it anyway, why not skip it this time? And the fact that you live in Texas doesn't help you understand what heat is like in India. I live in NC, and it's a completely different experience since everywhere in NC is air-conditioned.

IMNSHO if you're going to the trouble of going to Agra you should overnight- you need to see the Taj at sunset and sunrise.
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Old Dec 14th, 2010, 04:22 AM
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I live in Florida and thought that the weather in Asia couldn't be that terrible. I also lived in Texas for a year. There is no comparison to the heat in Asia! That being said, if April is the only time you can go, bring plenty of sun protection and cover up as much as possible.
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Old Dec 14th, 2010, 12:50 PM
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Now I am beginning to understand what it is you are trying to do.
You are going on a wonderful RTW trip, and would just like to get a flavor of India since you will be in the neighborhood, so to speak, as you pass through India.

Given that, my suggestion is to divide most of your time between Delhi/ New Delhi (3 days), and the rest in Agra, 2 days (see the Taj). There is plenty to see in the Delhi area, to get a taste of the food, the ancient culture, and what a big Indian city is like. Do plan to spend an overnight in Agra and take in the Taj.

Please take time to soak in the sights in the Delhi area, as well as the Taj Mahal in Agra. One needs to take time to appreciate a large country like India....just imagine what it would be like to travel in USA in 5 days...one needs to stay in one area and soak in that region, and I think then one can get a taste of the country. (BTW, India is about 1/3 the size of the USA, but it is very crowded so traffic is slower).

There is plenty of help that you can find on this forum. Do a search for Delhi--India and Taj Mahal.

As suggested earlier, to see India properly, save India for a trip just for India, and take atleast 2-3 weeks long.
Good luck planning.
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Old Dec 14th, 2010, 03:03 PM
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Shrink: First of all well said. as for the temp issue 110F in India isn't like 110 in Texas. It will be alot more polluted, way nosier, have traffic jams like you've never seen and frankly there will be sights, sounds and smells that will make it seem alot worse. I mean you won't be able to duck into a Starbucks, a Baskin-Robbins or some other such refuge like you can back home. We just got back from India and this is the 6th time for me. Its pretty tough to take really. Good luck with your choices. Larry
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Old Dec 14th, 2010, 05:07 PM
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Have not been on this site in several months. How good to come back and find out my favorite place, India, is being talked about!
Basically I could just parrot what everyone else says.
You will be perfectly safe.
Need a 2 week MINIMUM.
Take the train.

have fun
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Old Dec 14th, 2010, 06:06 PM
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Thanks guys. I really appreciate your help. I now feel like I know a little more about what I need to do. Thanks for the advice.

Shrink
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Old Dec 15th, 2010, 01:23 PM
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HI Shrink, I saw your question on the other thread and will reply to it there.

I understand what jacketwatch says, but...that is one of the advantages of traveling with your own driver in an airconditioned car...and you can ask to stop whenever and wherever you want. ( (LOL no S'bux--but there is less omnipresent Indian "knock off" called Cafe Coffee Day

We surprisingly found that 110F (when we went in June) was NOT that bad in either New Delhi or Agra. Sure, it was HOT and dusty (although i think there is less construction in general in New Delhi, than when we were there, pre-Commonwealth Games) --but if you travel in an air conditioned car, from a.c. hotel or homestay, eat at a.c. restaurants, it's survivable. Outdoors, the secret--just like in our (at least, my) beloved Texas-- is to seek a shady spot, always carry bottled water, and avoid the worst of the midday heat by being indoors.

We were lucky having a thoughtful and considerate guide who reminded us ,"Do not stand in the sun, Madam" and a wonderful driver who made sure we didnt leave the car without a bottle of cold water from the thermos chest he kept topped up with ice.

On the plane coming home, we met a lady who'd toured Rajasthan in June, with temps in the 120s. She did the same as above, and had a fantastic trip.
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Old Dec 16th, 2010, 01:51 AM
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CaliNurse: I think the heat got to ya. And that lady in Raj. too
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Old Dec 16th, 2010, 04:14 AM
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Shrink, I agree with Magical. If all you have is 5 days, don't squander it rushing around. IMO it is much better to take the time to really see and experience the places you visit. I recommend 5 days for Delhi and Agra. Seeing the Taj at sunrise before the crowds is special, but there is fog, and it is more spectacular in full sun in the late afternoon. We stayed overnight and went to the Taj twice, and also visited the Fort, which I think is a "don't miss." In Delhi there is also a lot to see and do -- much more than in Jaipur -- and I think 3 days would be great there.
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Old Dec 16th, 2010, 01:25 PM
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I agree with CFW on a personal level (about time in Delhi and the marvelous Agra fort, and the warning of haze at sunrise) ) --but the OP wanted to see a bit more than just these two cities.

Jacketwatch, LOL!! If the heat addled my brain then, it might explain some of the stragne stuff i do now. I thought it was old age, but India's heat is a far more exotic excuse!
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Old Dec 16th, 2010, 02:12 PM
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CaliNurse. LOL! I was a bit worried how you may take that as after I posted it. Thanks for seeing the humor in it I meant. Cheers, Larry
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Old Dec 16th, 2010, 02:34 PM
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Thanks, Larry! Heated brain syndrome--=now there's an excuse for the numerous typos i make (stragne for strange)
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Old Dec 17th, 2010, 05:22 AM
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Odd. I just sent an email to someone describing in effect my own heated brain syndrome so to speak. Actually in 1982 I returned from India w/ typhoid and T-maxed at 106!! Funny thing is I still remember the movie I was watching at like 0300 when the RN took my temp. When you're that sick you really don't know how bad it is at the moment until you start to recover. Then you see how far you have to go. I'm an RN as well BTW and what I learned from this is recovery coincides with the resumption of normal thought patterns. When you're that sick all you can think about is yourself. Now when I see my pts. begin to care for their grooming, etc. I know things are looking up. Cheers, Larry
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Old Dec 17th, 2010, 10:39 AM
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Larry, I guess you figured out from the "...nurse" that i am also a RN. 106!!!!! We're lucky you're still with us!
Shrink, don't let the heated brain syndrome scare you off!!
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Old Dec 23rd, 2010, 02:29 AM
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I know. Good thing I much much younger when it hit me.
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