jasminium

I have been invited to India with a friend from university who lives there and I am unsure whether or not to go. We'd be going for 10 days and staying with her family and attending a wedding while out there and also enjoying the Diwali celebrations.

I know it would be an unforgettable experience but I have a number of reservations:
- The food - I am not a fan of spicy food and have read the eating salads is not a good idea in India as they can be contaminated
- Illness - We would only be there for 10 days and so wouldn't want a substantial portion of this to be ruined by illness, I know there are certain vaccines I can have and precautions I can take while there but given my dislike to spicy food, would this make illness more likely even if I try to avoid it? e.g. are there reasonable western dining options?
- I am not an experienced traveller and have only been outside Europe once, to visit north America
- Cost - flights don't seem too expensive (around 560 GBP) but how much spending money would I need while there if I don't have to pay for my accommodation as my friend is hosting?
- Any other factors I should consider?

I would really like to go but given my circumstances I am not sure how rewarding the experience would be and if I am ill I don't want to be a burden on my host, but it would be great to experience India with someone who is used to living there and knows all about its history and hugely varied culture.

Any tips and advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Belinda

I would go in a minute. You can avoid potentially contaminated foods, not everything is spicy and you can buy bottled water. It sounds like a fantastic experience and having local hosts will make it all the more special.

I spent two weeks in India and didn't get sick.

Zambezi

GO! India is, in my opinion, the most fascinating place on earth. I say that, however, not having been to New Guinea, which I have avoided, in part, because of the sense that I would be a voyeur.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been going to India for forty-seven years and have been to most major places, except Anmitsar, which, every time I get ready to go, has some crisis that makes a visit unsuitable.

Yes, very likely you will get sick. You will be offered food and drink, sometimes in a ceremonial setting, that you cannot refuse. Take medicine to handle the upsets.

If you stick with vegetarian food, you can avoid a lot of the very spicy dishes. I've always said that if I had a grandmother who stayed home all day and cooked vegetables (which I avoid at home) as the Indians do, I could be a vegetarian.

You don't say where you are going, so I cannot comment on western options. Besides, you would insult your hosts if you wanted to go to McDonald's.

I have suggestions, but will resist until I know more. The one irritating aspect of visiting India has always been that "friends" are looking at you as access to some advantage---emigration to the U.S. (I don't know if your are a citizen of the U.S., so maybe that doesn't matter), contacts with someone who help them, or some other lead to a better future. With a population of one billion, it is "dog eat dog" in India.

avneet

I would recommend you to visit India and as you said you would be experiencing an Indian wedding and Diwali-the festival in which the entire country lightens up.It would surely amaze you.
As far as,spicy food is concerned relax Indians don't eat spicy food all the time.You can avoid spicy meals and go for something simple.I would recommend you to stay at your friend's place because only then can you enjoy the wedding ceremonies.
When in India,just be smart and clever as people might try to grab as much money as they want from you.Learn to bargain and make your deals done in half the price.
And drink mineral water that too from a good store.I would suggest that you ask your friend to accompany you everywhere.Just relax and enjoy yourself.

dgunbug

What a great opportunity - of course go! I got sick in India on my last day, but I also got sick in Israel. India is one of the most fascinating countries that I have visited and I hope to return to explore southern India one if these days.

sartoric

I would jump at the chance to spend time in India with locals, and think the wedding would be amazing.

You don't have to eat spicy, there are countless other options, and your hosts will likely bend over backwards to accommodate you.

Go see your doctor for the appropriate vaccinations, and ask for a script for a broad spectrum antibiotic just in case. Take Imodium or similar with you, also just in case.

India can be as inexpensive or otherwise as you choose.

uhoh_busted

We were in India for over 3 weeks and didn't get sick at all. Eat yogurt for breakfast and you will be fine. Plus you get to stay with your friend's family!!!! Chances like this are rare, don't miss out.

ankushharry

Hi
I think you should visit India for the amazing Indians wedding and also for a great Diwali festival which is celebrated all over world by Indian and also by other foreign peoples its a big and awesome festival.
And if you have a problem with spices and oily foods so here also a foods available which are not so spicy and oily every year millions foreigners visit in India and they are well enjoy here eat spicy and oily foods.Indian foods is famous all over world.
Also you can travel in India near place you visit for your friends wedding.

uhoh_busted

A good Indian dish that may appeal to your palate is Butter Chicken. Also just about anything done in a tandoori oven.

foggybridges

I was in India during Diwali last year- you MUST go!

Food- Veggies, butter chicken, roti, rice- you'll be fine! Bottled water, even for brushing your teeth. I started taking probiotics for my stomach about a week before I left and continued while I was there, I didn't get sick until the last day, but I took so much pepto I was completely fine!

Spending money- you won't need much, since you're not paying for hotel/probably won't be using cabs I'd say maybe $30/day? It really depends on how much shopping you'll do!

Vaccines- I was behind on my Typhoid and Hep A, so I got boosters of both, but it's not like Tanzania where they won't let you in the country without a Yellow Fever vac.

Please go and enjoy!!

julies

We've spent about two months in India, and my first gut-level thought was to tell you not to go. Obviously, we like India, but India is not for everyone. And, you may be in that category of people for whom India is not a match. India is very, very different from Western Europe and the US. There is noise, congestion, chaos, and sanitary conditions are very different. And, yes, most people will get diarrhea once during their trip. (By the way, not all Indian food is spicy.)

On the other hand, you will be staying with a family and I assume eating at home a lot, experiencing Diwali, and attending a wedding. These are all very special experiences that most people never have an opportunity to have.

I think what you need to think through for yourself is how much your apprehensions and concerns will turn into a problem/drag for your friend's family. If you are truly so concerned about so many of these things, I'd think long and hard before accepting the invitation because you do not want to put a damper on the family's enjoyment of all of these events.

Prachuap

Staying with locals beats a normal touristy visit easily.

holidayrajneesh

Obviously you've to go. I will never miss the chance to visit other country, if I get. The good thing with you is, you will stay with your friend's family and the best thing is you got a chance to enjoy the Diwali festival which is one of the greatest festival of India. As far as spicy food is concern, its a myth that all Indians like spicy food. You can find light food here too. Avoid street food as it may be contaminated, use mineral water to drink(easily available). Stay with your friend and Enjoy the richness of Indian culture. Go ahead ENJOY

nooriskandar

Count me in as one who thinks you should definitely go in a heartbeat!

When will this be and which part of India will you be visiting?

I think the plus point is having a local friend there to help you adjust. Some people find India intimidating, especially for the females, what's with the whole brouhaha. But please do not at all cost avoid the magic. India is magic.

Food should not be an issue at all. I have been to India with several of my Chinese mates who has never tried Indian food and they enjoyed it. Just be wary not to eat from street vendors IF you feel the hygiene might be compromised.

Climate wise it again, depends on which part you are visiting. I would assume Delhi or Mumbai?

The people would be excited to have you. I have seen many European travellers in India and they enjoyed it to bits.

I hope you will take this leap and enjoy India!

tanmaysharma1980

So many things has been highlighted about India. But many good things have been ignored and not highlighted. The fact is every country has its own side of the story with its own beauty and specialty. India is an awesome country blessed with multi cultures, traditions, races, languages, festivals, religions which no other countries have. There are so many beautiful things to see and explore in historical India.

So,I would simply tell you to go ahead and enjoy this lovely country with your friend. Its a wonderful opportunity for you to see Indian style wedding and the festival of light 'Diwali'. And you don't have to worry about the food at all. Its a myth that every India's eat spicy food. Being living in your friend's home, I believe he/she will provide you the best food. Other than that you can also find any kind of foods in India even western style.

April

I like what julies had to say. India is like nowhere I have ever been and, for the most part, I didn't love it. I stayed with an Indian family in a rural village for two months and found the language difference difficult. I eventually got used to being stared at everywhere we went.

My Indian friend was extremely cautious about food and let me drink only filtered water. Even bottled (make sure it's sealed) water was filtered. Amazingly, India was the ONLY place that I had no heath problems at all! Somehow, the Indian diet seemed to agree with me. This is not a minor thing since I have crohns disease and traditionally have at least one 'issue' per trip. The food in the village where we stayed was very fresh - milk was from the family cow, wheat was ground and brown sugar was made locally, etc. When visiting friends and family we were always offered Indian tea and sweets which never gave me a problem. From fruit stands I especially enjoyed the bananas and oranges. I don't care for spicy food either but you can ask for less spice. Western food can be found in some hotel and other restaurants.

I only got hepatitis shots. Accommodation prices would depend on where you are.

If you get to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, be sure to tour the kitchen, which is an astounding operation.

Satvik123

Hi I am from New Delhi, India.
I can maybe help you with the questions you have.
Now going by your post, you haven't mentioned which city or cities will you be visiting??
Language barrier is for one going to be a big issue, because we would have English as our 3 rd language, I agree with all others that not all Indian food are spicy.
Make sure that you bargain at local vendors because they always try to overcharge the foreigners.

Cheers
Satvik

jacketwatch

It's about 6 weeks and the OP hasn't been back. It would be nice to know what her plans are.