Going to India for a month

[Isocene]

dd

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

First, I'm sure there are more comprehensive guides out there, so search around on Google for some of the basic information.

The biggest point that will be mentioned: Don't drink the tap water! Your body isn't used to the different things they have in it, and so either boil your water, or just drink bottled water.

As for buying a motorcycle, you should first go there and see what it's like. Get a feel for the environment and how things are setup - if you still want one, you can get it, but using an autorikshaw (sp?), which is a 3 wheeled taxi, will be pretty cheap, maybe $1-2 in the US currency to get from place to place.

How long will you be there? India has a lot of places to see, the most known is probably the Taj Mahal.

 

[Descartes]

I was there for about a month back in February. I'm also not Indian, though the wife is. I had the luxury of someone that knew the country very well; however, I do have some thoughts for you:

1) It's pretty hot and humid, but it depends on what you're comfortable with. I find Bangalore to be more comfortable than a lot of other Indian cities.
2) No, do not buy a motorcycle. Do not drive. Ever. Get a drive or take a rickshaw and be done with it.
3) You can talk to women. Bangalore is a progressive city. A lot of people are very Western, and the women are beautiful. You just have to take a little more care than you would with people in the US. Don't hit on women, especially in public. People will sometimes take great offense. Just be mature and you'll be fine.

Yes, you could easily hit Thailand, Singapore, China, Nepal, etc. By easily, I mean a lot more easily than if you were in the US Flights are relatively cheap and it's easy to get in and out of the Bangalore airport (at least relative to Delhi, Mumbai, etc.).

You could also visit some of the coastal areas. Kerala is beautiful, for example.

I'm running out of thoughts, because there really are too many. If you have any questions, please let me know. My brother-in-law lives in Bangalore.

 

[Isocene]

How easy is it to find places that serve meat in Bangalore?

I need to find out what my daily expense allowance is...

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: Isocene
How easy is it to find places that serve meat in Bangalore?

I need to find out what my daily expense allowance is...

they have most fast food franchises; just don't expect to get a burger.

 

[pravi333]

beef is pretty easy to find. all the 3 star & above restaurants will be serving both pork & beef, if you want to try the moderate hotels, i suggest go to hotel imperial on residency road which is parallel to MG road & brigade road connects both.

You'll definitely come across those stress names once you're there. All the good bars and clubs are around brigade road.

which hotel will you be staying? i did my undergrad there so i know pretty much every street there, atleast the important one's.

 

[pravi333]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: Isocene
How easy is it to find places that serve meat in Bangalore?

I need to find out what my daily expense allowance is...

they have most fast food franchises; just don't expect to get a burger.

there are burger places, & theres KFC too in bangalore.

 

[yllus]

2) No, do not buy a motorcycle. Do not drive. Ever. Get a drive or take a rickshaw and be done with it.

I'm glad someone said it, because that's what I was going to emphatically respond to. You will not survive your stay completely intact if you insist on driving yourself.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Isocene
How easy is it to find places that serve meat in Bangalore?

I need to find out what my daily expense allowance is...

Everywhere, seriously. There are "street food" vendors all over the place that serve anything from pani puri to Mughlai style foods. The open markets tend to have a lot of interesting places to eat as well, though for many of us there is a little concern of getting ill. I never really got sick while eating there though.

Indian cities are starting to get a lot more international as well. I had fantastic Italian food while in Hyderabad, believe it or not. Chinese food is also very well represented in all cities, though it's a style different from the US (thank god) and from China. It's still very good though.

If you're wanting more traditional American fare, you'll run into some trouble. Burgers are obviously not available (at least I never found any, though I wasn't looking), though some Muslim-concentrated (Hyderabad has a large Muslim population, but Bangalore not as much) areas do have beef available.

I'd throw yourself into Indian cuisine though, and save the more familiar things for those random days when you need a break. The food is so incredible. It's easy to just have 5 or more smaller meals a day just by eating at the various little markets and shops they have around town.

Sorry, I'm getting a little enthusiastic here. I love the food.

 

[Allanv]

Originally posted by: Isocene
My job just approved me to goto India for a month in mid-July. I'll be in Bangalore. I have half my team in Austin and half in India. This is a chance for me to work with them and train them on a few things.

I don't know anything about India and I'm completely not Indian.

Has anyone been to India and know what the weather will be like? I was thinking of buying a motorcycle for my time there to get around. Is that a good idea?

I've heard that I won't be able to talk to any women there at all and I'm a bit bummed out by that.

I was thinking about traveling in that area of the world for two weeks after my work is over. Anyone have any suggestions of places to go? Malaysia? Thailand? I wish I knew people in that neck of the woods.

Dunno but sounds like me i am stuck in my hotel in HK i am here for nearly 3 weeks doing a domain / server migration for them. I am the oldest out of all the tech team and i am not from HK i hate any type of food and they love it. To be honest i cant wait to get home.

But a word from the wise dont fret it and try to enjoy. if you have to do that on your own then think of the life changing experience you are getting and what that means for your career.

Have fun enjoy... and have a proper tandori mmmmmm very nice

sorry for the edits the time is 22:51 and i have been up since 04:30.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: Isocene
How easy is it to find places that serve meat in Bangalore?

I need to find out what my daily expense allowance is...

they have most fast food franchises; just don't expect to get a burger.

When you're there, you might want to try a variety of foods, even if some don't have meat. Remember, historically, India has been largely vegetarian, and so a lot of the good dishes might not have meat in them.

Overall, be safe with things like the water you drink, and everything else will kind of fall into place. Once you see what the roads and drivers are like, you probably won't want to bother with a motorcycle anyway.

 

[Isocene]

I like Indian food. I'm just not sure how long I can survive without eating meat!

I love to travel and my favorite part about traveling is eating different food. I'm sure I'll get sick at least once because I like to graze and eat a little bit of everything I see.

How will the weather be from July-August?

 

[Allanv]

My first meal here in HK was a Burger an aberdeen angus Burger lol... we have offices in Bangalore also so you want meat you got it. And you mean like a steak right as most indian food has chicken pork beef in them as well.

I think you mean a good ol steak. being from the UK I still look out for a good steak..

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Isocene
I like Indian food. I'm just not sure how long I can survive without eating meat!

I love to travel and my favorite part about traveling is eating different food. I'm sure I'll get sick at least once because I like to graze and eat a little bit of everything I see.

How will the weather be from July-August?

Very hot and humid.

Also, meat is pretty common, most places serve it and so don't worry, you'll get your fix

 

[Isocene]

yuck hot and humid!

 

[satyajitmenon]

Originally posted by: Allanv
My first meal here in HK was a Burger an aberdeen angus Burger lol... we have offices in Bangalore also so you want meat you got it. And you mean like a steak right as most indian food has chicken pork beef in them as well.

I think you mean a good ol steak. being from the UK I still look out for a good steak..

Well, Bangalore does have a couple of places that serve up a decent steak.

1. Lazios: Good quality meat. Simple seasoning. Made to order. (My favorite)
Certified by a hardcore meat-eater (friend from North Carolina) as the best steak in India.

2. The Only Place: Good quality meat. Slightly smaller portions. Nice sauces.

3. Millers 46: Average quality meat. Drowned in sauces.

Any questions on food in Bangalore, ping me. Am in NJ at the moment, but know Bangalore pretty well.

 

[jai6638]

haha I'm glad other people emphasized it already but i'll say it again, dont get a bike!!! Use the autorickshaws.. Thats what my sis did when she was sent on a 1 year assignment to Bangalore to train the employees there.. She really liked the restaurants in Bangalore.. You can check out the Kerela backwaters, Singapore ( 3-4 hour flight away ), Dubai which is a progressive city in the middle east ( 3-4 hour flight away.. i'm from there so feel free to ask any questions ),etc! Have fun and remember, accept India for what it is.. Do not compare it to the US or you will be thoroughly disappointed!!

Cheers!

 

[Isocene]

I can stay at the following hotels:

Taj West End
Taj Residency
The Park Bangalore
Leela Hotel

 

[Isocene]

And I won't get a bike!

Also it appears I can spend $50 a day. I'm going to eat so much!