What Should I figure out before I go?

How long are you going to be in India? This is an important question. A week, a month, a whole season or year? This will determine what weather you are going to experience. This is important for traveling anywhere in India. If its going to be hot, obviously wear lite cotton clothing, and try not to take jeans.

If you are traveling in cold weather, you may want to ask if the accommodations you have made have heating. Do they have warm water, some places may say they only have water for certain hours of the day, but most of them are willing to make a deal (you may think this deal involves say $10 USD, but its more like $0.20USD) If you're traveling in the off seasons (based on the local indian traveling season) you may be able to get a good deal just by bargaining.


Is it going to rain? This is a huge question, because when it rains, it can pour. Most of india lacks sufficient storm drain systems to remove this water from the roads, and in many places it would be so expensive you cant blame them for just leaving it. Take sandals, flip flops, 'choppers'. Take whatever is open, will dry out quickly (or just not get soaked at all). If it is going to rain I also suggest taking duct tape to cover blisters (THIS IS YOUR WARNING, THEY DONT KNOW OF THE EXISTENCE OF DUCT TAPE). Umbrellas are inexpensive and cheaply repaired in India, if you pay more than five dollars, make sure its really nice.

Take sunscreen. Take peptobismal(tablets). Take bugspray.

So you wanna travel India?

Well first and foremost, no matter how many books or blogs you read, no matter who you listen to. You will not be fully prepared to travel to india. I hate the be the first one to break it to you, but you're not ready. If this is a problem, you should really ask yourself the question: "Why am I traveling in the first place?". The joys of traveling India, and well anywhere, come from seeing the unexpected. Experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of a foreign land.

If you are going to travel to any place that happens to be unfamiliar, please for the love of god travel with an open mind. You will see things you think are wrong, they are infact probably wrong, but that's also probably none of your business. If you choose to involve yourself in other peoples affairs do so with caution, foreign countries have more people than.. well you, and good luck if you plan to change anything. Change is a long process that involes the next generation, if you want to change the world then you should raise proper children.

This having been said, Travel with care. You probably represent more than yourself in the minds of others.