Spending six weeks in India not as a tourist gives me a rank to criticize some false assumptions made by people who never crossed Indian border and are just talking what they’ve seen on tv or heard from the 5th source. And of course confirm some true facts providing ‘been there, seen it, experienced’.
MYTHS
#1. If you travel to India, you’ll get kidnapped, rapped or killed.
I’m sorry to those, who believe everything media provides. Much wider world exists outside your living room walls. Every single person criticized our choice to visit India on backpacking bases, saying we will get rapped and traveling fun will end there. We’ve traveled all around, from north to south India and we are still fine. Just don’t walk at night, don’t trust others and if looks too good to be true, it probably is. As long as you’re taking precautions and care of yourself, people won’t necessarily looking at you as a rape object.
#2. Traveling is expensive.
It definitely is if you’re planning on staying in 5* VIP suites and eating at Ritz. But if you’re ready to frame your budget and stick to it (most of the time), you’ll be fine with a reasonable spending’s. We did couchsurfing in most places, except when we couldn’t find it or had unseen circumstances. Cooked at home, when conditions permit or had street food etc. So far, 6week journey cost around $350 each, including transportation, food, accommodation and everyday expenses (basically, everything). Is this expensive? Answer yourself individually.
#3. You will get food poisoning and other diseases.
“Be careful what you eat. Eat just in restaurant who have good reviews on trip adviser. Don’t touch market/street food.” Where do people get this from? I really don’t know… People do get food poisoning but you can get it anywhere, India doesn’t have anything to do with it! Food is different but it’s part of the culture, if you’re narrow minded, then don’t go traveling at all. Street food is one of the best ways to get a real taste of Indian cuisine, so trust your nose and go exploring. Just take it easy if your stomach is not used to experimenting. And if you’re still worried, take ‘pudina hara’ after your meal, will help you digest. Also, tap water is not safe, drink from bottles.
As for diseases, don’t drink from puddles, they will definitely get you a disease, otherwise, get advised vaccinations before traveling. I can guarantee they will sort you out. Furthermore, skin color doesn’t do the justice. People brush their teeth and take shower twice a day. No matter how poor or rich they are, personal hygiene is a top priority.
Some of you might say we were lucky not to experience all the downsides of it but come on, is it luck when you take care of yourself. Stop overthinking about negative sides. There are so many positive ones!
TRUES
#1. It is dirty
India is generally not a clean country. Everywhere you look is trash, dust, spit and urine. Animals freely walk around streets, people throw rubbish without any concerns about environmental impact. That says it all.
#2. They don’t use toilet paper
They just don’t!
#3. Getting a train ticket has less chances then winning a lottery (almost same)
as mentioned in my previous posts, railway system is really complicated there. No matter how early you try to book your train ticket, you will still go on a waiting list of hundreds. And you’ll never be lucky to be at the top of the list. And I’m not even talking about buying the ticket on board. Best solution to this problem, is going to the tourist center, as they always have a few ‘reserved for tourists’ tickets. May the odds be in your favor!
#4. People are trying to rip you off
Take my word for it! The price they say is not the price you should pay. To get the ‘RRP’, divide the asking price by half. Learn the art of bargaining, it will save you heaps of money, unfortunately, not the time nor the patience. If the seller is not giving in, turn around and walk away, most likely he will end up running after you. And if not, you’re not meant to get it anyway:)
#5. After visiting India, sound of a horn will stay with you forever
The first and the last thing you going to hear when stepping outside is going to be horn. No joke. I’m sure you can dig out some statistics on ‘Google’ how often it’s used. But to my experience, more often then any other tool in a kitchen, household or street.
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