Any of y'all been to Bangalore, India?

TangoWhiskey

TangoWhiskey

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Would be interested in your PIREP. Sounds like work will be taking me that way for a couple weeks next month.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Would be interested in your PIREP. Sounds like work will be taking me that way for a couple weeks next month.
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I like India. I am not too impressed with Bangalore as it is really a business area and not too culturally rich.

I take it you will be flying into Dehli?

The hardest part of any India visit is the trip, it just is far. 16 hours non-stop form Chicago to Dehli with weird times of departure. The other way to go is through Europe but even then that can give you some long lay overs.

Some pointers about India

1. Everything is up for negotiation. You barter EVERYTHING!! Before you get into a cab make sure that you have decided upon a price. Anytime you buy something you need to barter. Paying at a maximum half of what their initial asking price is close to tourist fair.

2. Stuff is dirty there. Do NOT eat fruits with the skin on, nor drink tap water, nor eat fresh vegetables. You will get Dehli belly

3. People are poor. Poor like you have never seen before in your life. YOu will see lepers on the streets. Be compassionate but also be aware of your own safety, giving money to beggars can get you into trouble.

4. The people are wonderful and friendly. English is common, learn a few things about their history and culture and pay it the respect it deserves and you will be treated royally.

5. If you want adventure take the train from Dehli to Bangalore. Real adventure starts in 3rd class.

6. Bangalore is populated with educated middle class people. It is the tech hub of the country, it is not real India, but it is safe and interesting in a Disney Land sort of way.

7. Get to the airports early. Lines and disorganization are the norm.

8. Make sure your VISA is in order before you leave here. Nothing worse than Asian bureaucracy carried out with British precision.

9. Restaurants are plentiful and basically safe as long as you get cooked food. Expect lamb instead of beef if there is meat.
 
ScottM said:
I like India. I am not too impressed with Bangalore as it is really a business area and not too culturally rich.

I take it you will be flying into Dehli?

The hardest part of any India visit is the trip, it just is far. 16 hours non-stop form Chicago to Dehli with weird times of departure. The other way to go is through Europe but even then that can give you some long lay overs.

Some pointers about India

1. Everything is up for negotiation. You barter EVERYTHING!! Before you get into a cab make sure that you have decided upon a price. Anytime you buy something you need to barter. Paying at a maximum half of what their initial asking price is close to tourist fair.
Click to expand...

Cannot agree more. While I've had luck with people who treated me "like a local", in general, be prepared to negotiate.

2. Stuff is dirty there. Do NOT eat fruits with the skin on, nor drink tap water, nor eat fresh vegetables. You will get Dehli belly
Click to expand...

What hotel will you be in? That's my x-factor. I'll eat everything, and drink the tap water, in the Leela or Oberoi in Bangalore. That said, even if you are ultra paranoid, you'll most likely get sick on your first trip. Pack baby wipes and a few Nature's Valley granola bars and some Clif's Builder's Bars, in case your GI track flips out.

3. People are poor. Poor like you have never seen before in your life. YOu will see lepers on the streets. Be compassionate but also be aware of your own safety, giving money to beggars can get you into trouble.
Click to expand...

Everyone has their own opinion on this. My view comes from some anthropologists, locals I trust, and expats who have been in-country for years. In general, I do not give to many beggars, but I will buy something off of the kids who are selling things on the street.

4. The people are wonderful and friendly. English is common, learn a few things about their history and culture and pay it the respect it deserves and you will be treated royally.
Click to expand...

Culturally speaking, Asia is FAR nicer than many Western countries -- but India and Japan are my two favorite locations "for the people".

5. If you want adventure take the train from Dehli to Bangalore. Real adventure starts in 3rd class.
Click to expand...

That's some serious adventure, Scott! I like your style.

6. Bangalore is populated with educated middle class people. It is the tech hub of the country, it is not real India, but it is safe and interesting in a Disney Land sort of way.
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I go back and forth with this. It's urban India, analgous to Silicon Valley/SFO in terms of education and likely industry of employ. Delhi has a Washington, DC feel (lots of academic types). Will you go to Guragon? I was slated to go there before I moved on to different pastures.

7. Get to the airports early. Lines and disorganization are the norm.

8. Make sure your VISA is in order before you leave here. Nothing worse than Asian bureaucracy carried out with British precision.

9. Restaurants are plentiful and basically safe as long as you get cooked food. Expect lamb instead of beef if there is meat.
Click to expand...

You will see bureaucracy like you have never seen before in your life. Scott's #8 captures that better than I could ever articulate it. Your mind will be blown with sheer scale of it all. Do not trifle with your visa or other docs -- make sure EVERYTHING is up to snuff. And, if you can, get a 10 year visa -- it's worth every penny!

On the lamb comment -- you may also end up with water buffalo instead of beef. It's quite delicious, but if you find yourself, two weeks in, jonesing hard for a hamburger, and you get a water buffalo burger, you will be SORELY disappointed if you do not realign your expectations (can you guess that I made this mistake?)

Take a moment and really explore Bangalore. Go down to Commercial Road and walk around the market. Take an autorickshaw. Have dinner at the Oberoi; they have a Keralan restaurant unlike any other place I have eaten in the world. One night, have some locals take you down to Corner House for a Magnum Fudge ice cream.

I love India -- and I hope you do too. I can recommend a pile of reading material for you before you depart -- it's worth the effort to learn about such an enchanting and magical country!

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
I believe I'm flying straight into Bangalore; New Delhi's quite a ways north. No cabs; company provides a driver every day from the hotel to our building. I'll get the hotel name.

We use a service to handle all of the passport, visa issues. Shouldn't be a problem. Visiting my doctor and dept. of health for immunizations tomorrow.

The guys at the office have been good about making sure visitors get out of "Disneyland" on the weekend and get to see "the real India"... including riding an elephant, etc. :-) Should be fun.
 
astanley said:
I love India -- and I hope you do too. I can recommend a pile of reading material for you before you depart -- it's worth the effort to learn about such an enchanting and magical country!
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I so agree. There is something magical about the place. I love India, it is the most amazing country in Asia I have been too. That is not to degrade the other places but if offered a chance to go to Asia my choices, in order of preference are:

1. India
2. Japan
3. Singapore
4. Malaysia
5. South Korea
6. Taiwan
7. Brunei
8. PRC
9. Iraq
10. Indonesia (really Oceana not Asia)
 
Isn't it about time for the holiday where they pour the red stuff all over themselves and then get snockered and celebrate in the streets? Damndest thing I've ever seen.

astanley said:
Cannot agree more. While I've had luck with people who treated me "like a local", in general, be prepared to negotiate.



What hotel will you be in? That's my x-factor. I'll eat everything, and drink the tap water, in the Leela or Oberoi in Bangalore. That said, even if you are ultra paranoid, you'll most likely get sick on your first trip. Pack baby wipes and a few Nature's Valley granola bars and some Clif's Builder's Bars, in case your GI track flips out.



Everyone has their own opinion on this. My view comes from some anthropologists, locals I trust, and expats who have been in-country for years. In general, I do not give to many beggars, but I will buy something off of the kids who are selling things on the street.



Culturally speaking, Asia is FAR nicer than many Western countries -- but India and Japan are my two favorite locations "for the people".



That's some serious adventure, Scott! I like your style.



I go back and forth with this. It's urban India, analgous to Silicon Valley/SFO in terms of education and likely industry of employ. Delhi has a Washington, DC feel (lots of academic types). Will you go to Guragon? I was slated to go there before I moved on to different pastures.



You will see bureaucracy like you have never seen before in your life. Scott's #8 captures that better than I could ever articulate it. Your mind will be blown with sheer scale of it all. Do not trifle with your visa or other docs -- make sure EVERYTHING is up to snuff. And, if you can, get a 10 year visa -- it's worth every penny!

On the lamb comment -- you may also end up with water buffalo instead of beef. It's quite delicious, but if you find yourself, two weeks in, jonesing hard for a hamburger, and you get a water buffalo burger, you will be SORELY disappointed if you do not realign your expectations (can you guess that I made this mistake?)

Take a moment and really explore Bangalore. Go down to Commercial Road and walk around the market. Take an autorickshaw. Have dinner at the Oberoi; they have a Keralan restaurant unlike any other place I have eaten in the world. One night, have some locals take you down to Corner House for a Magnum Fudge ice cream.

I love India -- and I hope you do too. I can recommend a pile of reading material for you before you depart -- it's worth the effort to learn about such an enchanting and magical country!

Cheers,

-Andrew
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Hmmmm, nobody has mentioned the "aroma" of India. Be prepared for a totally different world on arrival. You will see poverty on an immense scale. You will witness filth on a totally different level with adults literally defecating on the roadside.

I developed a system of rating shanty towns based on the number of open sewers running from them. It is not a healthy place at all.

Take Imodium on the trip, you will need it. Drink only purified water or boiled tea. Take the malaria pills. You won't like the consequences if you don't.

Working with the professional "locals" (who may be imported from another state in India) is a new experience in arrogance. The working class are great folks by and large but the engineers, etc. are a royal pain in the butt.

Others may like it but I left nothing in India and see absolutely no reason to go back. Or in other words, India - it's not for everybody (just 1/6th of the world's population). As always, YMWV.
 
A couple further notes:

Every travel med doc is different. Some will ask "Do you plan on getting a tattoo, using intravenous drugs, or having sex while in India?", and if you say no, they'll skip over the Hepatitis shots. I would strongly suggest otherwise; a fellow patient who uses my travel doc got stuck while running a fever and brought Hep B home with her. If you can, get the Typhoid vaccination as well -- friend picked it up three years ago, and I would NOT want to go down that road.
 
wabower said:
Isn't it about time for the holiday where they pour the red stuff all over themselves and then get snockered and celebrate in the streets? Damndest thing I've ever seen.
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Holi! It was over the weekend. Awesome party!
 
Clark1961 said:
Hmmmm, nobody has mentioned the "aroma" of India. Be prepared for a totally different world on arrival. You will see poverty on an immense scale. You will witness filth on a totally different level with adults literally defecating on the roadside.
Click to expand...

One of the most difficult adjustments on my first trip was the "incongruity" of the "aroma" -- you'd smell, at equal strength, wood burning, food cooking, diesel exhaust, and human waste. My brain was working overtime, constantly trying to figure out what the hell I was smelling. While I did see people "use the collective toilet", it wasn't as often in the cities as it was traveling over road between cities.

Take Imodium on the trip, you will need it. Drink only purified water or boiled tea. Take the malaria pills. You won't like the consequences if you don't.
Click to expand...

I always carry Immodium with me, and I take malarone while in country and before/after I leave. I also carry a script for both levaquin and cipro, and a handy sheet from my travel doc on how to identify symptoms and self-medicate before I contact the office.

On the "purified water or boiled tea" front, I disagree. My rules:

  1. If I'm out of the hotel (assuming Leela or Oberoi-level hotel), bottles and cans need to be opened in front of me.
  2. I inspect the seal on my water bottle before I open it, making sure it was factory sealed.
  3. I completely let down my "guard" in the hotel and hotel restaurants.

If you've been to Central America for any length of time, you're fairly well equipped to handle India.

Others may like it but I left nothing in India and see absolutely no reason to go back. Or in other words, India - it's not for everybody (just 1/6th of the world's population). As always, YMWV.
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It is an amazing country, with amazing people. I've always enjoyed my travels there, but I'm also always happy to come home. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! In fact, I can't wait to go back. Maybe later this year.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
wabower said:
That was the day I saw a family of seven on a single scooter. Only two helmets were on mom & dad.
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I view sights like that with an equal amount of alarm and wonder. You have to give it to some people -- they can make what would barley move my frame around move an entire family.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
ScottM said:
I so agree. There is something magical about the place. I love India, it is the most amazing country in Asia I have been too. That is not to degrade the other places but if offered a chance to go to Asia my choices, in order of preference are:

1. India
2. Japan
3. Singapore
4. Malaysia
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My top four are the same, but not in the same order:

1. Japan
2. India
3. Malaysia
4. Singapore

Japan edges out India because one of my absolute closest friends lives in Tokyo, and trips to Tokyo are always a wonderful experience.

I prefer Malaysia to Singapore for a number of reasons -- but there is nothing quite like Malay spit-roasted lamb.

IMG_2875.jpg


Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Never been there, BUT... I did meet a tech support guy named "Mack" from Bangalore when he visited NYC. We'd worked together on resolving a thorny VOIP faxing issue, and I told him to call me if he ever planned to visit NY.

Wouldn't you know it... he did.

I tell ya what... he may not have eaten meat, but Mack sure knew how to drink.

-Rich
 
ScottM said:
I am heading out for Indian food for lunch today. All this talk about India make want some punjabi cuisine.
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Wish I could join you, Scott. I'm heading out for Indian Thursday night -- can't wait for it!

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
I'm not sure about your respective metro areas - but Indian food is "the new Chinese" around here, if number of restaurants is the criteria. There are several even out near me - not far from Dulles airport.

Love Indian food - one of my favorite cuisines.

Haven't been there yet, though. Was hoping to make Feb 2011 the first time but my friend Kimm's assignment fell through - she turned it down due to family matters.
 
I've been to Pune, New Delhi, Mombai (Bombay), and Agra. I was there in India for three weeks. I agree with what's been posted here. Get your travel immunizations before you go. I only ate cooked foods and drank bottled water (the food was awesome!).

I didn't carry my Passport on the streets, I made a copy of it and left the original in the hotel safe. I hear that American Passports are worth thousands on the black market there which makes you a target. I also bought a money pouch that I could hang around my neck instead of putting money in my pocket (pickpockets, etc).

Other than that it was awesome. The people stare at you a lot, especially if you're over 6' tall. Just smile and wave and take lots of pictures. You'll be in awe of the traffic. A family of 4 riding on one motorbike isn't uncommon there!
 
ScottM said:
<SNIP>
1. Everything is up for negotiation. You barter EVERYTHING!! Before you get into a cab make sure that you have decided upon a price. Anytime you buy something you need to barter. Paying at a maximum half of what their initial asking price is close to tourist fair.

<SNIP>
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I think you mean haggle, rather than barter.

Not True- I go to India avery other year or more often, Kolkata area. They have modern malls and supermarkets- I'm sure Bangalore has them as well. The prices are fixed in these places, no haggling. Haldiram seems to be a national supermarket chain, Pantaloons is a department store chain with a supermarket inside.

The stores with the interesting handiworks are sponored by the various states; you may be able to haggle in some of these. If you do need to haggle, best to go with some local friends, let them come back later and buy what you want or you get tagged with the "tourist tax" of 100%.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
Not True- I go to India avery other year or more often, Kolkata area. They have modern malls and supermarkets- I'm sure Bangalore has them as well. The prices are fixed in these places, no haggling. Haldiram seems to be a national supermarket chain, Pantaloons is a department store chain with a supermarket inside.
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Hangle (the right word, thanks) is something I do in the regular stores too. I even do it in the US. You would be surprised how often you can work a deal.
 
ScottM said:
I am heading out for Indian food for lunch today. All this talk about India make want some punjabi cuisine.
Click to expand...
The hottest thing I've put in my mouth in my entire life was a small green pepper that snuck into an Indian rice dish which I had last week. I was in pain for at least 15 minutes even though I held water in my mouth almost the entire time. Other than that the food was good...
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Would be interested in your PIREP. Sounds like work will be taking me that way for a couple weeks next month.
Click to expand...

Never made it to Bangalore, but saw many other places during the three years I worked in India in the '80s. For sure India assaults all your senses - and provides an experience you will never forget. Ask the locals where to eat - you will have some amazing (and delicious) food. Definitely a destination of choice (as is Sri Lanka, although I don't know what the latter is like after 25 years plus of civil war).

Dave
 
ScottM said:
Hangle (the right word, thanks) is something I do in the regular stores too. I even do it in the US. You would be surprised how often you can work a deal.
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Depends on who you talk to. Go to a department store in the USA such as Target, I doubt the cashier has much authority to change prices. Manager- maybe. The cashiers in the Indian supermarkets have the same authority as the cashier in WalMart in the states with respect to prices. The stores I'm describing are their equivelent of Target.

These supermarkets in India are a good place to get basic food at a known price, both Indian and Western (no beef). I buy bottled water and other sundries at these places.

Another thing- internet access. I don't stay at hotels in India so I don't know what they provide. You can forget about grabbing an open WiFi like here; they are much more security consious than we are here and password their WiFi. Internet "cafes" are abundant, but no food or drink to justify being called a "cafe". I bring wipes to clean the keyboard of the computer. If you are in a private residence, it is apparently possible to get short term internet access through the cable company. You may see if the local cell phone company will work this way with you.
 
Everskyward said:
The hottest thing I've put in my mouth in my entire life was a small green pepper that snuck into an Indian rice dish which I had last week. I was in pain for at least 15 minutes even though I held water in my mouth almost the entire time. Other than that the food was good...
Click to expand...

Fat helps more -- peanut butter, whole milk, ice cream.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
Fat helps more -- peanut butter, whole milk, ice cream.
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Guess I should have gone for the dessert sooner which seemed like fruit swimming in thick, sweet cream. After that my mouth felt fine. :)
 
woodstock said:
I loooooooooooove me a Mango Lassi!
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A salted mint lassi or a strong lemon one is great. In fact, ANY lassi is delicious.

One note -- don't drink a lassi if it contains Bhang *if* your company has a strong drug policy. This is more of a problem in Rajasthan than in Karnakata... but be aware of it. Bhang is a cannabis derivative.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Question: power adapters. Will I need any adapters to use my laptop and phone chargers?
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Question: power adapters. Will I need any adapters to use my laptop and phone chargers?
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Most all power adapters for computers and cellphones operate on 100-240VAC 50/60Hz. Look on the power supplies and you should see what the rated voltage is. Now you may need a plug adapter which will change the US bayonet style to the one that is in India.

One like this http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/5g.htm or I just carry a US to Euro adapter and it works most of the time.

Euro: http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/400.htm


I just used those links to show you the picture. You can get plug adapters all over the place, even the airport and probably at the hotel.
 
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I have carried, for the past 5 years:

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-APK01US-World-Travel-Adapter/dp/B000ES6KPM/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1

It is small, converts everything, and packs neatly.

I can't speak to your hotel specifically, but most international hotels I stay at have at least one US bladed plug per room, so that is where my cellphone charger goes. I also bring a USBII/MicroUSB cable with me so that I can charge my phone off of my laptop if need be. I use the aforementioned converter to charge my laptop during the night.

If I'm going to be in one country for an extended period of time, I'll buy a power cord that connects from my power brick to the wall, freeing up my converter for anything else I may need.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Plug adapters - that will be a bit more interesting. India still uses the old British Empire plug (pre-WW II) and most adapter kits I've seen do not include that. I needed the same for South Africa several years ago. Shop carefully.
 
If you regularly donate blood, be aware that, because of the previously mentioned health issues, you will be ineligible to donate for a year.
 
Ghery said:
Plug adapters - that will be a bit more interesting. India still uses the old British Empire plug (pre-WW II) and most adapter kits I've seen do not include that. I needed the same for South Africa several years ago. Shop carefully.
Click to expand...

I can confirm that the Targus kit I linked works in India -- in fact, I've yet to be stymied by a country... (and I've just cursed my next trip)

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Thanks Scott and Andrew. Great advice.

I was also curious about the power at my seat in the plane; the AA 777 has a cigarette style DC power, and the BA 777 has EmPower DC Power. Found this great page with links to what I need:

http://www.seatguru.com/articles/in-seat_laptop_power.php
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I imagine you are traveling business class? And, from the sound of it, you are flying DFW-LHR-BLR? If that's true... and you'll indulge me:

+ I pack a change of socks, undershirt, and undershorts in my carry on. I plan to shower and shave in London (assuming either a) you are flying in upper class or b) have above-sapphire oneworld status). If you are flying in upper class, or have status, plan to shower! It's a great way to get your body clock "changed", and it helps refresh you halfway through your journey (two 9 hour legs!)
+ I wear Patagonia boxer-shorts on long trips. They keep me quite comfortable and help manage humidity in an otherwise "non-breathable" seating environment.
+ I also wear SmartWool traveler crew socks. Warm off (so I can sleep shoe-less), tight enough to keep compression on your legs (something I'm deeply paranoid about; an acquaintance had DVT transpac and it wasn't a very happy experience).
+ I picked up a stack of REI Sahara t-shirts a while ago (pretty cheap, $10 I think) and I wear those as my undershirt. Since I tend to walk very fast, and use my "terminal time" as a chance to "exercise" (hahahahaha, denial is bliss), so polyester shirts help keep temperature regulated (warm when it's cold, cool when it's warm, and always dry).

Anyways, I'm just blathering on and on.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
I imagine you are traveling business class? And, from the sound of it, you are flying DFW-LHR-BLR? If that's true... and you'll indulge me:

+ I pack a change of socks, undershirt, and undershorts in my carry on. I plan to shower and shave in London (assuming either a) you are flying in upper class or b) have above-sapphire oneworld status). If you are flying in upper class, or have status, plan to shower! It's a great way to get your body clock "changed", and it helps refresh you halfway through your journey (two 9 hour legs!)
+ I wear Patagonia boxer-shorts on long trips. They keep me quite comfortable and help manage humidity in an otherwise "non-breathable" seating environment.
+ I also wear SmartWool traveler crew socks. Warm off (so I can sleep shoe-less), tight enough to keep compression on your legs (something I'm deeply paranoid about; an acquaintance had DVT transpac and it wasn't a very happy experience).
+ I picked up a stack of REI Sahara t-shirts a while ago (pretty cheap, $10 I think) and I wear those as my undershirt. Since I tend to walk very fast, and use my "terminal time" as a chance to "exercise" (hahahahaha, denial is bliss), so polyester shirts help keep temperature regulated (warm when it's cold, cool when it's warm, and always dry).

Anyways, I'm just blathering on and on.

Cheers,

-Andrew
Click to expand...

Good tips, Andrew. Yes, business class, "J" code. Not sure what you mean by "upper class". I don't have "status" with American or British Airways, I just don't travel much for business. I've heard about the lounge / shower at LHR from another traveler, and need to find out if I'm eligible to use it.

EDIT: OK, it looks like I can use Admirals Club but not Flagship:

http://www.aa.com/i18nForward.do?p=...iralsLoungeAccess.jsp#InternationalPassengers
 
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