{"id":42144,"date":"2016-05-19T10:25:47","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T00:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=42144"},"modified":"2018-05-14T06:07:28","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T20:07:28","slug":"9-brutally-honest-tips-for-traveling-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/9-brutally-honest-tips-for-traveling-india\/","title":{"rendered":"9 brutally honest tips for traveling India."},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019ve made the decision to go to India<\/a>– good on you!\u00a0Some might think you\u2019re crazy, but not me, it’s one of the BEST trips I’ve ever done.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A lot of people say India<\/a> is a massive contradiction: you have the rich and poor, the rickshaws and the Mazaratis, the high rises and houses made of billboard signs or a pile of strung together hooded jackets (true story). It all intertwines to make this loud, beautiful, dusty, ridiculous place. I’ve written about India many times –<\/a> but now, I need to get down to the nitty gritty.<\/p>\n\"lastminute.com.au\"\n

So I\u2019m gonna tell it like it is – here are some things\u00a0you need to hear before you hit one of the most crazy-amazing destinations on the planet.<\/p>\n

#1: You’ll need to learn to go with the flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It’s like survival of the fittest here- as one of the most populated countries in the world it means people are fighting for space, money and food. Culture shock? Yes You have extreme poverty that you\u2019ll just have to accept, there\u2019s no point getting emotional about it. Your first day in Delhi is\u00a0like a slap in the face.<\/p>\n

I had beggars, their hands in my face, blatantly demanding\u00a0money and I had to look past them (as horrible as that sounds) and walk on. Contrary to what the media portrays, as a woman, I never felt unsafe in India<\/a>– the people are really full on, but they mean no harm. The sheer volume of people can be really overwhelming- and the noise is unbelievable. Horns are always screeching and beeping. It\u2019s this rampage\u00a0of everything around you that makes leaving your stress pants at home imperative.<\/p>\n\"India\n

#2: You\u2019ll feel like a celebrity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When I went to the Taj Mahal, we had like, 50 people staring and taking\u00a0photos\u00a0of US\u00a0<\/em>– not one of the great wonders of the world. Surreal. I totally posed for photos \u2013 who wouldn\u2019t! Now at least I know how Brad and Ang feel. If you\u2019re female, you\u2019re in for a wild ride. Not only did people stare, they wanted to touch my blonde hair and film me in the most mundane circumstances.<\/p>\n\"Taj\n

#3 The traffic is INSANE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I remember laughing at how absurd the traffic is. From a million motorcycle-rickshaws with multiple fridges on the back, to cows stopping traffic in the\u00a0middle of a triple lane highway. \u00a0An average road will have everything from cows, dogs, llamas, goats, trucks, horse and carts, cars, minivans, bikes and people walking trying to get through. Make sure you film that – you’ll laugh about it later.<\/p>\n

#4: You\u2019re going to get sick \u2013 accept it<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ll be real here: I had one random night of vomiting and by the end of the trip pretty much had constant diarrhea. But let me tell you this: the food was so delicious it was worth it!<\/p>\n

I really recommend that you get some antibiotics from the doctor before you go. Bring disinfectant gel and imodium to help your stomach. Have all of your shots – i’m talking tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis. I took malaria pills as well- but I was in the jungle<\/a> for four days or so.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

#5: Don\u2019t eat salad \u2013 don\u2019t ever forget it<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As a rule, I didn\u2019t eat any salad or any fruit that couldn’t be peeled. But it\u2019s so easy to forget- especially when you get into the cities like Delhi and see how modernised it is. And don\u2019t get any tattoos or piercings (no brainer.) If you cut yourself- put antiseptic on followed by bottled water.<\/p>\n

#6: Take the train<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Metro train for inner city travel is\u00a0great- you can organise your tickets at the station just like you would in any modern city. They even have a ‘Women Only’ carriage up the front of the train- trust me, use it. \u00a0If you\u2019re travelling inter state- you can book your train tickets online and you should organise\u00a0them a week in advance. Travel by first class – that way you wont have to share two seats with a family of five.<\/p>\n

Oh and don’t be afraid to take the overnighter. The only downfall about getting this train is its reputation for being late, and I\u2019m talking days<\/strong><\/em> late. But that\u2019s India<\/a>– it runs at its own pace. Remember what I said about going with the flow?<\/p>\n

#7: Pack\u00a0conservative clothes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Not unlike most of South East Asia, just\u00a0cover\u00a0up- people will respect you more. Don\u2019t show bare chest, shoulders or too much leg.<\/p>\n\"lastminute.com.au\"\n

#8: Learn all of the religions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

India<\/a> is a place where religions collide. From Hindi to Islam, to Buddhism and Christianity \u2013 it\u2019s all here. The dominant Hindu religion is baffling- it\u2019s so confusing \u2013 there are about 90 different gods. The \u00a0best place to learn about the religions here\u00a0is the Lotus temple in Delhi. Go there if you want some time to reflect on your spirituality and sit in silence- a rarity in India.<\/p>\n\"India\n

#9: Don\u2019t be afraid of the food.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll never find Indian as flavoursome and as awesome as it is here.\u00a0 You may, however want to consider taking up a vegetarian diet \u2013 due to religion, there are limited beef options but\u00a0AMAZING veggie dishes like Dal mukhana, dosa and korma curries. You’ll be converted \u2013 trust me \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\"lastminute.com.au\"\n

Oh man – just writing this makes\u00a0me want to go back, get spiritual and drink chai with everyone.<\/p>\n

Like these pics? They’re from my friend and amazing photographer Mattay Anderson.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

What are your tips for travelling India? Tweet us @lastminute_au.<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n