My First Time Experience in India

I was somewhat unprepared for my trip to India.  I didn't know what to expect. I was afraid I'd be so scared and disgusted by the dirt that I would want to stay in my room, and just look out the window!!! I thought I would continually be surrounded by beggars and lepers and horribly handicapped people, and that I would be continually ripped off by everyone I dealt with. My anxiety would have been relieved had I read my Tips for Travelers.  As they say, hindsight is 20-20. My trip was easy, safe, comfortable, and affordable, because I used a reliable travel agent in New Delhi. I chose a Continental Airlines flight from Houston, TX, to Newark, NJ, and then flew straight to New Delhi. The nonstop flight to New Delhi is about 13-15 hours, and it flies over Greenland and Russia. There is an Indian Consulate in Houston and it only took 1 day to get the 6-month tourist visa. I went in the morning with my passport, the application, 2 passport sized photos, and $60. I picked it up that afternoon. Easy. If I had known how cheap, safe, easy, and fun it was, I would have had a driver and car pick me up at the airport to take me to my hotel. I did discover the travel agent about 3 days after arriving. An auto rickshaw (a motorcycle with 2 covered seats in the back) driver took me to a travel agency. I have since learned that the travel business is very competitive in Delhi, so I was glad to find out that the one I went to be a good one. Its prices are middle of the road, and most of their customer base is repeat business for international business and leisure travelers who return to India often. Of course, I didn’t know any of this at the time. I felt like a lamb going to slaughter, but I trusted my inner voice to guide me. I spoke with the owner of the agency, Javed. Perfect Holiday Travels is his agency, at www.perfectholidaytravels.com, their phone is 91-9312239450, and his email is javed@indiatravelliveshop.com, and his private phone number is 91-9811136465. I asked for a bus ticket to Jaipur, and did purchase one. Then as an afterthought, he suggested that I could hire a car and driver for $32 a day, which included the gas. I thought about this for a total of 2 minutes, and agreed to try it. I was alone, totally unfamiliar with India, and decided my well being was worth that. I’m so happy for that decision! Manoj was my driver, a 30-year old, very handsome man, with passable English. We understood each other better as time went by. He drove a small Tata, a Ford-like subcompact. It had air conditioning, but I went in November, and no air was necessary. Some friends that I referred to their agency got their choice of cars and driver. They chose a larger car for the 3 of them, which cost $45 a day, $15 each. They interviewed a couple drivers, and made their choice. With this agency, I was able to tailor the trip to my needs and desires. A general outline was arranged, but with lots of flexibility. The Indian idea of personal service is much more important than that in the USA. They take a lot of pride in their customers’ happiness. From there on, my trip was easy, stress free, secure, and fabulous. I wanted to choose my hotels, all within the $20 a night range. Javed said that would be no problem. Manoj, my driver, would take me to a hotel. I would look at it, ask the price, and if I didn’t like it, or they would not rent it for $20, he would take me to another hotel. That $20 included Manoj’s lodging and his dinner and breakfast, so I never had to pay anything extra for him. The tourist system is set up for private cars and drivers. While we were driving between cities, we would stop at “tourist” restaurants, usually very nice restaurants, all having a choice of Indian or Chinese food, all geared to the more Western palette. I met lots of other tourists, usually from England or Europe, and would later see them at some of the attractions. It was good to see some familiar faces along the way. In each city, Manoj knew what attractions to take me to. All I had to do was get in the car. I didn’t have to study the guidebooks for hours on end, although I did read them to know about the historic sites. I never had to waste my time in endless lines for a bus, or the train, or to buy a ticket. We went in the morning at a time that was convenient to me, and came home when I was ready. Manoj was always in the background, not following or trying to control, but just aware where I was and what was happening. What a comforting feeling. I was his charge, and he wasn’t about to let anything or anyone happen to me. There was never a time that I felt uncomfortable, or unsafe, or scared, or unsure of what to do next. At the end of the 2-week trip through Rajasthan, I flew to Kashmir for a week, then returned to Delhi, and took another 7-day trip with Manoj to Rishikesh, Hardiwar, and Mussorie in eastern India. It was like being with family. I did tip Manoj $50 for the first 2 weeks, and another $30 for that last week. This, of course, is up to you and how you feel about your trip. Most of their income is based upon tips. Best service I ever had!!! Contact Christine , and I  will help arrange your travel with Javed. Or, you can email him at javed@indiatravelliveshop.com your dates of arrival and departure. His personal mobile phone number is 91-981-1136465.  He can have someone pick you up at the airport, and take you to your hotel, which he can arrange ahead of time. An average price for a good hotel in Delhi is around $35-$40. I have stayed in Karol Bagh, a quiet suburb of Delhi, and fairly close to Connaight Circle, the heart of New Delhi. You can tell him where you want to go, what your specific needs are for the trip, and the amount of money you wish to pay for hotels. I believe it is the best way to see India for the first time visitor or for the more experienced traveler. No need to waste time hassling with transportation, hotels, etc, and more time to enjoy India, which is what you are there for in the first place. Javed has 2 more websites describing Rajasthan and Kashmir and Ladakh. Go to www.kashmirladakh.com, www.rajasthaninformation.com. Check them out for tours and great photos, but don't be fooled. They can arrange any kind of custom travel you have in mind. They do as many, if not more, customized trips as arranged tours. Group travel is also easy.