I need to go to India
By bluehibiscus
@bluehibiscus (702)
United States
December 16, 2009 12:39pm CST
After talking to Alok I had an epiphany. He misses me as much as I miss him. I need to go to India this summer. I'd stay like a month. I'd be by myself traveling on the train to Orissa, any advice? (aside form learning basic Hindi and Oriya)
3 responses
@cobradene (1171)
• India
16 Dec 09
My first advice is, learn to protect yourself. There is too much of harassment of western women in our country, and men will just try in any public transport or any place, to find any damn reason to come close to you, or come too strong on you.
My girlfriend is German, and I have had many other friends learning yoga with me, and every one of them have faced some kind of harassment or the other. So just be prepared to face one of these, especially, if you are alone. The best would be, that he picks you up from wherever you are, and stays with you all the time.
My girlfriend and I stayed together for one year in India, and travelled together, and still, in spite of my presence with her, people purposely tried harassing her, getting close to her, sticking on her, touching her and what not. We faced a lot together.... I am sorry, but is this your first time to India? Wish you all the luck. But let me tell you one more thing. Travelling in the south is much safer and better, than in the north.
Enjoy yourself in Kerala at Varkala if you have the time. :) All the best.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
16 Dec 09
To add more to my comment, we thought yoga teachers would be decent and principled, but they were not. My girlfriend's yoga teacher an 82 year old man, molested her and finally we had to run away. Could you believe, a Guru who is supposed to guide a student on the path of truth, and yoga is one of those paths, molests his students??
I am sorry, but yes, just beware of unpleasant incidents when you travel around. But please, if you travel by train, travel by AC 2 Tier. It's expensive, but much better and less crowded and has more space.
@cobradene (1171)
• India
16 Dec 09
It's totally different from your homeland, but sure you can defend yourself by being aggressive... but do remember, even the policemen are not so decent over here. I mean the local police won't come to your assistance, rather they would only try to make money from you... or harass you further.
You can come, but I am just giving you a few points to beware and be mentally prepared to face these things. It's not that easy, and women travelling alone are never respected. Not just that, Indian women face harassment everywhere, from public transport, to schools and colleges, and just about everywhere.
The ratio of molestation in our country is 72%. But you are welcome, and you will like the people here as they are very warm and hospitable otherwise. The Indian hospitality is known to be the best among all countries in the world. It's not a boasting, but it's true.
@bluehibiscus (702)
• United States
16 Dec 09
Well if it's anything like my homeland, if a man touches you inappropriately you have full right to yell and slap him. I'm going to the east and it is my first time. I have to see the person I love, I miss them too much.
@sahilbange87 (52)
• India
16 Dec 09
many western people face food problem in india as we love spicy food and they dont so may be this can be a little issue and must visit Delhi India's capital.
@kingpunjabi (9)
• India
16 Dec 09
I am teacher in india, i m master in linguistics. i think u can understand and speak Hindi in few weeks if u stay in India, i m from Punjab state of India, One of my student was lives in Canada by birth. i teach him 35 days, but when he visited Punjab he was able to understand and speak correctly in few days.
