Travel in India Tips
September 2005

Chennai
Noisy, loud, dusty, air pollution, constant smells, a constant awareness of your physical senses.

Culture
Get use to the idea that you have no privacy. Sometimes you’ll feel like a celebrity since you are watched constantly. Also a lot of people both men and families will want to take a picture with you. The cultural differences are many and you will also notice the invasion of your personal space as people stand very close to you for no reason. Keep in mind that this is a completely different world. The cultural has many differences from our actions and reactions to things. Don’t be surprised when drivers recognize you or make assumptions about where you are going, they know all the tourists and where they are staying or spending their time. Also employees are not empowered to anything but their job, if you have an issue or a problem ask for the manager and stay calm in all conversations.

Places to stay
Try to get a connection to rent an apartment it is slightly cheaper and they are much closer to school which is convenient, I think the thing I disliked was the time, noise, pollution and hustle of taking a rickshaw to and from school.
Also you can hire a cook, that way you can get better quality food and more of what you really like for a lot less money. It also saves on your time, you can rest at lunch. I stayed at the Hotel New Woodlands. The room was fine, very clean. But the rickshaw each way was unpleasant and the extra travel time was also tiring. The food is excellent but expensive there, and it is a busy restaurant. I would have preferred an apartment.

Food
Bring peanut butter, honey and bread when you arrive, it will help the transition to 3 spicy meals a day. Find the grocery stores. You can keep basics in your room.
We bought an electric kettle and made our own tea and cooked plain green beans, etc. We’ll leave the discovery of food to you but not far from school is the Echo Café on Charmers Road… an oasis. An outdoor garden restaurant with easy western food and desserts. As the month progressed I found myself their more often.

Travel
Try to arrive a day or two before starting class to find you way around you neighborhood, where to buy food, use the internet, etc. Spa services in a traditional Indian beauty salon or an upscale spa are much cheaper then at home and it is a nice treat. I went for 4 hours the day before I left and got massaged, scrubbed and buffed for $35.00. Indian salons do beautiful mehndi also.
Learn to bargain with rickshaw drivers…pay attention to the price from place to place and by the time you leave in 30 days you’ll be paying a fair price. Also keep in mind the value of what you haggling over, 20 rupees is less then $.50. Try not to commit to one driver for the whole time it will start out fine and turn into a hassle, also they will then want a big…tip at the end. After you know the price don’t ask get in, tell them where to and then hand them the fair price when you get saying only, Thank you.

Do not expect to sightsee every weekend. You will be tired and over stimulated. Kanchipuram is worth visiting and Mamallapuram is also. The Ideal Beach Resort is a great get away even for the day. If you want to spend the weekend at the beach book early, it is a get away for everyone in Chennai.

Travel arrangements for further destinations can be made through any local travel agent cheaply and quickly. It’s a flat fee approximately $1.5 per ticket and well worth saving your time. The rickshaw to the train station or airline office costs more. Plan booking about a week in advance, Indians like to travel.

If you purchase train tickets yourself, go to the International office for foreigners at the train station. The staff is very helpful. I traveled all over India in 2nd class trains and on local buses with no problems. Most people speak English and are happy to be helpful. Be cautious of your belongings and you’ll have no problem.

Beggars
Are rarely but can be aggressive. Decide what your going to give and how often. Bring boxes of cheap pens like Bic, every child will ask for school pens. There are 2 schools close to KYM so don’t hand them out unless your prepared for the on slot. And cash, an India can get a real meal for 20- 30 rupees. Mostly people hand out 1, 2, 5 rupee coins. Give with respect and people will be thrilled you put the money directly in their palm and looked them in their eyes. I didn’t give everyday but I always made sure I had money for old women.

I loved India, I learned or discovered that I was comfortable with things just the way they are. It is nothing like our world. The only way you can get inside and live it is to know that. Let go of all you know and enjoy the ride. I met many wonderful people, had many fantastic experiences and saw much beauty everyday.

Packing List (Things that come in handy)
ear plugs
universal sink plug
rope for clothes-line, etc.
luggage lock to lock bag closed and to train/bus seat
couple of gallon zip-lock bags
travel towel
post cards of the town you live in and photos of you family and pets

Clothes bring much less then you think you need, you will be happier to buy things there to bring home. (Sandals 350 rupees, tops 150, pants 300) writing this rupees 45 =$1.00 700 rupees is top price for any everyday clothing you might buy in a better shop. Special dresses and silk or embroidered items might sell for more.