thank you..!

According to most people I’ve spoken with, it’s cheapest to use ATM’s as you don’t pay for the exchange rate.

Some helpful words to know in the North are Bhaiyya (brother) and Behenji (sister). This is the normal way to address taxi wallahs, shopkeepers and other strangers.

If $15 is not too much, it’s best to rent an all day taxi in Delhi which you can keep for 8 hours (and 80 kms.) and there’s a very minimal charge for extra hours and mileage.

something which would NOT be OK with my family. Are those things acceptable in North India, or have I been given the wrong impression? I’ll be doing my best to blend in and not stick out as a tourist/American/non-Northie. Also, how odd would it be for 2, 3 or 4 women to go to a bar or club without a male?… I am pretty sure that we will be booking a packaged tour with a driver … should I be any more scared of the driving than I normally am? How much will language be an issue? Should I be learning some key Hindi phrases now (i.e. “WTF are you staring at?” j/k) When we travel, is it best to avoid taking backpacker-style backpacks, even if we will be travelling by car (and sometimes train?)

as kush pointed out you it’s best you ease into this. i mean, at the end of the day, nothing sticks out worse than deliberately wearing something that’s not comfortable. it isnt odd at all for women to go to a bar together. pardon me for making delhi out like some regressive crazy place. it takes one bad incident to ruin the experience and especially if one is ‘not from here’ it doesnt hurt to take extra precautions.
my footprint guide suggests watering holes like patiala peg, djins, pegasus etc. discos – ghungroo, oasis, cj’s, mostly affiliated with the larger 4star+ hotels. i dont have personal experience with these but i have enjoyed a lazy afternoon in lodhi gardens, a very welcome green space in delhi, and would recommend that as a place to huddle and plan you next adventure.
i hope you arent planning to drive there.. my experience – it is possible to rent motor cycles, but at the first instance of conflict, I would instinctively veer into the incoming traffic – so not advisable. driving is pretty hair raising in india, but people get around, right? so say allah-u-akbar (as an iranian friend once told me, and i do this in my head everytime in case the big guy is listening) and rock on. I did rent a cycle to get around town in some of the smaller towns. Cost Rs 3/hr. Great mode of conveyance. hindi phrases would be nice but not essential – but it is more for courtesy – shukria=thank you – works very well. backpacks are good – but if you are traveling public transit, i would leave behind the graphite framed technical gear – stuff gets kicked around, pushed around, sat upon, and this is not even going into the straps that get yankde in airline travel (although i’m sure you’ve asked the airline for the plastic bags). Simple is good, and why waste a $500 backpack when a gunny sack will do very well. Enjoy, and please do post your experience. I’d love to see india through your eyes.
you know, i dont care too much about the ‘sepia destiny’ tab, but a tab for travels through india would be much appreciated and boost SM hits tremendously. I got tons of stuff I want to share and tons more I want to know. That would be a perfect forum.
brownfrown’ed

You know how we desis LOVE the stereotypes about each other?

yes, i can see that.

backpack is OK. I carry all the time. In my last visit to India, I also had a laptop that I carried all the time. Gaurav, I meant Hazratganj.

I was just kidding.

While it will be difficult to find a hill there, it is possible to visit Imambara, Residency, Chowk and such places.

If you are a history buff then Lucknow has an interesting history. Ofcourse you can try Awadhi cuisine and Chicken(embroidery), not to mention the real language.

Not much I am afraid.

Daryaganj ? I think you meant HazratGanj, DaryaGanj is somewhere in delhi.

Regards

No mention of Lucknow, I am dejected

Gaurav,

Ok, ok Lucknow too. Tell me how would a tourist amuse themselves in Lucknow – zoo and daryaganj (?)

A place like Mussouri or Haridwar or Rishikesh or Gangotri or Chandigarh has more panache. Delhi has theater and everything. You can spend days in Chandini Chowk. New Delhi, alone a week.

I still think Rajasthan is the safest bet for starters.

Personally, I would do middle Himalayas (I do not have stamina for Higher Himalayas yet), and would like to make a trail from Ladakh to Nepal via places like Simla.