India: First experience

The most spontaneous trip we have ever did. Me and my husband were invited to a wedding in India and it took us about 2 months to think about it. Two weeks before the event we decided that we are doing it. We were actually going to India! It sounded so exotic and so far away, even a little bit scary, but we were all in.

First of all, you need to make sure you get a visa. Then you can start looking around for airplane tickets, although in our case we were pressed to change the order of events, because for such a destination you can't book last minute (price and probably no luck with available seats). It was pretty easy actually, because you can apply on-line and then get your visa within 2-3 work days. 

Vaccination: our doctor said that the obligatory ones are Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and of course the basics like DT. There are also the Cholera, Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis, but if you are careful enough, and staying at 4 or 5-star hotels, you should be fine only with the first three. 

Packing? That's easy! It is always hot and all you need is some light linen clothes (preferably long-sleeved) and your flip-flops. Be careful though, the sun could be really strong, so don't forget your sun cream! Now the fun part of packing: make sure to have enough anti-bacterial soaps, wet wipes and whatever else that comes to mind when considering disinfection before eating. Unfortunately the hygiene there is poor and we were strongly advised avoiding drinking tap water as well as not to brush our teeth with anything else than bottled water.

Getting from A to B: Uber is your answer. If you by any chance have an Indian sim-card then you can also use the alternative called "Ola". 

Funny story: We went to see this (castle/temple) by the shore and had a good time, took some nice pictures but then... the Uber App crashed, so did our hopes to get home, too. There were no taxis, we could not get the Indian alternative "Ola" and we were just staying there looking like confused tourist which in India is equal to easy money. We were approached several times by a Rikshaw driver. [We of course, kindly rejected his offer to get us back to our hotel. The idea of travelling at approximately 30km/h on a highway with this traffic....And of course, was double the price.] After 30-40min and no luck with the app we had to get the deal. Best experience ever! Just imagine: highway, cars are flying around us with over 100km/h, we are moving at about 20-25km/h. Then, the Rikshaw suddenly stops in the left lane (oh yes, they drive England-like), middle of nowhere and we have not the tiniest clue what is happening. We are looking each other in horror for the next 30 seconds, while the driver gets out of the Rikshaw, opens his seat and gets out a... 2,5l Coca-Cola bottle full with something yellow-ish. Then he gets another, smaller bottle full with something 

green-ish. He mixes the two substances and... refuels. That was the moment we could breathe again and just enjoy the rest of the ride.

The traffic: There are no rules. At least none known to us in Europe. There are traffic lights, there are signs, there are zebras, but nobody cares very much about them. There are three lanes, well-marked with white stripes, but you actually can see 5-car lanes with small motorcycle lanes between them. You just drive and wait for the others to signal you if you are in their way. The cool part is that as funny and dangerous as it may sound to us, it somehow works, people don't get nervous and they are actually moving. Rarely would you stay long at jams.

Temples: better read or ask ow to proceed when entering a temple. Barefoot is a must for some and it is usually worth it.



India could be polluted, unorganized country but if you look at it more as a crazy, colorful place, you will be able to experience the real beauty of the country and its people.



P.S. I almost forgot...Do try coconut water from a street merchant... The best way to freshen up your hot day!