Should I go to India for 4 weeks?
 

My husband's company is encouraging him to do a 4 wk rotation at their office in Hyderabad, India. If interested, he can pretty much choose when he wants to go, so it's an open opportunity and no deadline to decide. Recently he threw it out to me as an idea, and mentioned maybe going there this summer if I want to come along.

He is not that hyped on going, but it would be helpful for his career. He is fine with not going if I am not comfortable. It would give him brownie points for sure,but it's not a situation where he would lose his job or anything if he didn't want to go.

There is part of me that would be interested to go, and from photos I've seen of other peoples' trips it looks like it could be wonderful. I'd love to see the Taj Mahal and explore some of the culture. But I'm really nervous about going there safety-wise. This spring there was a plot uncovered to bomb my husband's company's office there ... luckily the guy was caught before it happened, but that was just too close to home for me.

I'm also concerned safety wise as a caucasian female standing out and being alone all day while he's at work. Is it safe for a solo female to be wandering around the city alone? I would feel better if one of the other wives I know went, but I'd likely be the only "tagalong" and my husband would be working long hours.

I know we all take our chances traveling anywhere - but I just don't feel comfortable going to India, even though I think it could be a once in a lifetime experience. Every time I read a news story about Hyderabad in particular it has to do w/ bombings and I revert back to saying "no" to the opportunity. Am I being overly cautious?

of course you should go, but if you could wait until fall, like november the weather would be more tolerable...

don't be concerned about standing out... there are plenty of other tourists there

What a wonderful opportunity!

It would be better if you could wait until fall weather-wise.

You can be as "on your own" or as coddled as you wish in India. In the city you might want a driver or even a guide until you feel more oriented and confident. I'm sure your husband's company would have drivers they could recommend.

Definitely preferable to postpone until later in the year for better weather.

You will stand out as a western woman, although buying a salwar suit (see www.utsavsarees.com/salwar/index.htm but prices will be cheaper in India) when you get there will cut down on it some (you should dress conservatively). I traveled in India as a solo female, and I did get tired of the hassles (I was there for 10 weeks) - rickshaws, would-be tour guides, souvenir sellers, etc, - but I never felt I was in danger.

Yes, go but wait until November (through February), if you can.

Thanks all. The more I am researching online and looking at photos, I am a little excited about the possibility of going, but I still need to think about it some more. Going on the US State Dept site made me a bit nervous though - all it talks about is warnings and terror attacks.

I should have mentioned he suggested this summer b/c I was recently laid off - so by the fall I will hopefully have a job. Would it be that terrible to go in summer?

You might want to look at the travel advisories on the UK (www.fco.gov.uk/en/ ) or Canadian sites as well as the US. It's an old joke that if the US State Dept. wrote a travel advisory for the US to the same standard as for other countries, no-one would visit.

It will be hotter and wetter in the summer, although I seem to remember reading that the climate in Hyderabad was better than other parts of South India. Try www.wunderground.com for a weather history.

If you have a choice, avoid the dead of summer.

India ir remarkably safe. Exercise caution like anywhere. Since your husband's company has an office there it should be very easy to get assistance with your daily activities and probably they'll spot for a car and driver too. They can advise you about your daily itinerary and safety.

summer is really bad....

forget ever looking at the state dept. advisories...

I have had a lot of feelings in India, but other than being on certain roads, I never felt unsafe in India. I would avoid summer if I could though. It's brutally hot and humid.

As mentioned above, the State dept advisories make every country look like horrible, dangerous places.

I agree with the above about skipping the State Dept. advisories - at least for India. The State Dept. advisories for India verus what you actually experience in India hardly seem like they're talking about the same country!

The places where there is civil unrest are places that:
a) tourists won't visit anyhow, or
b) as a tourist you will not be allowed to travel there.

Hyderabad is rich in Moghul history. The architecture, artwork, and textiles is stunning.

Enjoy the opportunity. I'm sure you and your husband will also receive many invitations for dinners and other events while there.

India is perfectly safe. The weather in Bangalore & Hyderabad is not all that severe. For example, while it is 40c up north, as I write, in Bangalore it is 28c. It is 34c in Hyderabad. While the old city of Hyderabad is congested, there are posh localities, outside of it. Banjara Hills is one of these. In any case, you are staying for a short period of time.

How wonderful to spend four weeks in India -- mostly on someone else's nickel (your husband's company)! You will enjoy it most during the Nov-Feb season when it is dry and cool.

Thank you all for the advice! I am seriously considering going now ... like my mother in law said yesterday, take advantage of every opportunity you are given! We both decided that summer was probably a bad idea...I will just have to hope that we can go before I get a job, although I suppose I could try and work something out if I got a job offer.

DH talked to some coworkers who went and they said the company has drivers that take you around so that was a relief, although I think that is more for them to and from work (I'm sure I'd have to arrange separately if I wanted to go off on my own). I am thinking of possiblities to volunteer while he is working all day to keep me occupied, I found there is an orphanage there with a very good English website so if we proceed with going I will probably contact them about helping.

I expect your husband's company would be more than happy to arrange one of their drivers for you. Companies often do this sort of thing for trailing spouses.

and drivers are very cheap there so it will be the least of your problems...