Just arrived in India, now what ?

Just arrived in India for your first time and want a little help to get through the first week? This site can help you . It's small things, which you as new to India don't think about.

From the airport to the city: If possible take the bus into the city. They have a "nonbargain" price. Don't just step into a taxi. Most people are warned about it, and most people do it anyway. Simply because they are tired and affected by the heat. If you do it, you'll be overcharged and taken to a expensive hotel, with a heavy commission on top of the price.

Think of leaving the big city for the first 3-4 days and go to a smaller city close to the big city. This way you'll be able to adpot to the climate and take in India a bit slower.

Trainreservations,travelagents: Making a trainreservation is not so difficult as the travelagents wants you to believe Often the station will only be a few hundred meters away and the only thing you pay for is that they buy instead of you. Charging 1500 rs for a ticket you could have bought yourself for 200 rs isn't uncommon. Serious travelagents also excist.

When you are shown to the bus or something alike, people aspect a small fee for their help.

Always bargain about the price and bargain hard, particular in the North. On many articles you'llse a max retail price. This is not the price the indians pay. If it says 12 rs the price is ap. 8 rs or so. Although in touristplaces max retail price is more the actually price.

Notes. Don't accept torn notes, and when you get back a 50 or 100 rs note always check if it's torn. Nobody on the street will accept it. You can change it in a bank, but if you think you can change 50 torn notes... think again !

See to have small coins on you. Breaking down a big notes isn't always possible. It also looks a little strange bargaining about a 1/2 rs and paying with a 500 rs note.

People "coming on to you" at the street. On the street approaching people will try to sell you anything and they don't give up easy. Try to completely ignore them, then they'll give up(maybe!) As a western this can be difficult to do when you're new to India. Learn to say NO !

When you arrive in a new city, try to have a little feeling of the distances and different parts of the city. It'll give you a much better bargain situation.

Remember to drink, a lot !

Try to accept how things are done in India. Fighting against the system will only lead to endless headaches.

But above all, enjoy India !