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Riding Elephants in India

Saturday, May 27th, 2006

I have always been amused and sometimes scandalized to hear people in the western world ask me if elephants and tigers walk the roads in India. Pardon my smugness but I find the prospect hilarious. Infact, one person even asked me if there were cars in India. Hmmnn, how do you suppose a country of 1 billion plus people travel? More on that later.

For now, I want to talk about riding elephants in India. I can understand to some extent where these questions come from – elephants are exotic to most countries and specifically alien to several continents including the american and european continent. So, the answer to the hidden question is Yes, you can get a memorable elephant ride when visiting India, but NO, elephants on the roads are not a daily occurence across India. More like cows and goats on the road, and yes, sometimes, a bear in a cab :). I will recount that hilarious incident soon, sometime. For now, let me tell you how you can plan for an elephant ride, because its just not randomly going to happen.

Now, if you want to squeze in an elephant ride on your trip to India, [read on]

Posted in Asia, East India, India, North India, South India, Travel, West India | 5 Comments »

Culture Shock in India?

Wednesday, May 24th, 2006

Everybody who travels to India, especially from the West, should expect to suffer through Culture Shock. With a Capital C. 

First of all, there is the big East side of the world versus the  West side of the world cultural divide. Then, even within the Asian region, India is an apple among oranges. You will never be adequately prepared to deal with the diverse region. Whatever “tips” you might have read may be applicable when visiting the Taj Mahal, but not when you are in the Rajesthan desert on a caravan or boating Keral backwaters or hiking the Himalayan mountains or visiting the temples in the south. But I do recommend some “Don’ts” and some “Do’s”. Ready ? Okay, here we go :

1. Advice one – never visit India on a shoe string budget. You will be miserable through out the trip. Comfort comes relatively expensive. If you travel on a lean budget, then you will have to lead a lean life. And a lean life in India is way leaner than than most places else. You will not be able to deal with it. Very few can – Commandos can 🙂 . I most definitely can’t.

2. Advise two – [read on]

Posted in Asia, India | 5 Comments »

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