August 17, 2019
No matter how much you read about India before visiting, something is bound to surprise you when you arrive. Because it isn't easy to describe India with just a few facts. With its cultural diversity, religious structure, daily life where technology stands side by side with poverty, and never-ending chaos, it is a completely different world in itself.
Especially if it's your first visit, stepping into this chaotic order and keeping up with its pace can take some time. In the first few days, you might encounter many things that surprise or even challenge you. After a while, however, you begin to notice that there is a unique order within all this chaos.
This list, compiled from what I learned during my 45-day trip to India, is meant to make the journey a bit easier for first-time visitors.
In India, summer temperatures can reach unbearable levels in some regions. During the monsoon season, rainfall is quite heavy. Therefore, the period between October and March is generally more suitable for a comfortable trip.
India is much larger, more complex, and more exhausting than it looks on a map. Even moving from one city to another can take longer than you expect. For this reason, it is important not to cram your travel itinerary and to leave gaps for rest.
No matter how much research you do, it's impossible to fully prepare for the surprise you will experience upon arriving in India. Leaving expectations behind and adapting to the country's own flow makes things easier.
New Delhi has some of the worst air quality in the world, and the situation across the rest of the country is not much different. Carrying a cloth or mask to cover your face is a good idea, especially if you have sensitivities.
It takes time for the body to adapt to bacteria in the water and food. Preparing necessary medications before setting out is much easier than looking for a doctor during your trip.
When you have to use public restrooms, napkins, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes can be lifesavers. They don't take up much space in your bag, but they are genuinely useful when needed.
India is a conservative country. Revealing clothes can draw unnecessary attention, and entering certain temples dressed like that can be seen as disrespectful. Loose and long clothing is both a more comfortable and safer choice.
You need to remove your shoes when entering temples and many other places. Therefore, choosing shoes without complicated laces provides more convenience in daily life than you might think. If you are worried about losing your shoes, you can carry them with you in a bag.
Internet in India is almost essential, not just for staying in touch, but for making daily life easier. You may constantly need the internet to get directions, research a place, or use transportation apps. A package bought from Airtel, valid for 82 days with 3 GB of daily data, can be purchased for 700 rupees (around 50 TL). It has wide coverage and works smoothly throughout the trip.
No matter how modestly you dress, it is inevitable that you will encounter people looking at you closely. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but most of the time there is no bad intention behind it. After a while, you learn to get used to it and move on.
Being a tourist in India is an attraction in itself. You may see people who want to take photos with you, hold your arm, or place their child in your lap for a picture. While surprising at first, it is a very common occurrence.
People may stand quite close when talking, walking, or waiting in line. The understanding of personal space is different from what we are used to in Turkey or Europe. It's easier to view this as a cultural difference rather than a personal boundary violation.
Tap water is not safe for consumption. Stick to unopened bottled water in restaurants and check that the seal hasn't been broken. It is also wise to avoid drinks with ice, as ice is often made from tap water. In our experience, using tap water to brush teeth did not cause any issues.
Since it isn't always possible to know how meat is stored, meat dishes can be risky. Thanks to a large portion of the population being vegetarian, vegetable dishes are both highly varied and delicious.
Utensils are not widely used everywhere. As a result, you may end up eating with your hands in some places. After a while, you realize this too becomes a natural part of the trip.
In Indian traffic, cars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, cows, and pedestrians can all move at the same time. You need to be extra cautious when crossing the street, especially in places without sidewalks. Although traffic seems to have a logic of its own, understanding that logic at first is quite hard.
You may encounter drivers who start a friendly conversation and try to get your phone number. Of course, there are well-intentioned drivers, but it is best to remain cautious, especially during your first days.
When going somewhere, checking Uber first is generally a cheaper and more comfortable option. Even when you can't use Uber, the price shown on the app serves as a good benchmark when negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers. If you have a local SIM card, you can also use the Ola Cabs app.
Especially in tourist areas, the first price sellers quote may not be the actual price. Sometimes you might encounter prices double or more than the real value. If the price won't drop, bluffing often works; seeing the seller run after you to lower the price is not surprising.
Cases of receiving incorrect change can happen frequently throughout the trip. Therefore, it is useful to check the money as soon as you receive it.
Persistent sellers and tuk-tuk drivers might not leave you alone. Politely declining rather than getting angry is usually the best approach.
You may meet people acting helpful who try to direct you to fake ticket sellers or fake tourism offices. It is important to be cautious against such situations, especially in tourist areas.
Especially around temple areas, you might encounter people dressed as priests who smear red powder on your forehead and ask for donations. It is best to be cautious toward such seemingly well-intentioned offers.
Keep your phone, wallet, and other personal items in sight, especially on crowded streets.
In India, you need to get used to things not happening at the scheduled time. Buses can be delayed for hours, and buying tickets can take much longer than expected. In such situations, waiting may be the only option.
Museum entry fees can be quite high for tourists. If you have a student card, you can enter at much more affordable prices.
Tripod use is banned or subject to permission in many places. Since obtaining a professional filming permit costs around 7,000 rupees (600 TL), there's no real need to carry a tripod for daily travel.
Traveling in India is not easy. Sometimes the noise, crowds, traffic, and endless chaos can be exhausting. Sometimes you realize how fragile the order you are used to really is.
But perhaps that is precisely what makes India unforgettable.
After a while, you start finding order within the chaos and silence within the noise. Things that made no sense at first become a natural part of daily life. When you adapt to its rhythm instead of trying to change the country or force your own habits upon it, India transforms into something else entirely.
For this reason, although traveling in India is not easy, I recommend that everyone who loves discovering new places experience this fantastic country at least once in their lifetime.