First time in India
I arrived in India at the end of July in a traumatic fashion: Bombay can be very frightening if you are not ready for it; especially if you arrive at a rainy night and some security freak tells you that there is a bomb threat in the domestic airport.
I discovered later, after spending a $100 in a hotel nearby, that everything was part of a scam that seems to be pretty common in Bombay and Delhi. In another type of scam, some indian may tell you that the hotel you are heading to is closed or has been destroyed for some reason. Don’t believe it, my friend! In fact, here are some tips for your first arrival in India:
I discovered later, after spending a $100 in a hotel nearby, that everything was part of a scam that seems to be pretty common in Bombay and Delhi. In another type of scam, some indian may tell you that the hotel you are heading to is closed or has been destroyed for some reason. Don’t believe it, my friend! In fact, here are some tips for your first arrival in India:
- First, you should try to arrive in India during the day. That can be hard because most flights come to India during the late night but it is extremely recommended.
- If you are not going to Bombay, avoid its airport at all costs! Otherwise you will need to switch between the international and the domestic airport. Believe me, that’s a 10km ride you don’t want to take just to switch airports.
- Do not believe anyone you don’t know near any airport. Just ignore the people and do what you gotta do.
- Try to get a pre-paid taxi. Usually there are offices of the government authorized taxis inside the airport.
- Do not let anybody you don’t know or trust discover that it is your first time in India. Doing that is like feeding the sharks: they will hunt you…
- Do not accept help from anyone. They will try to carry your things, they will try to get a taxi for you, and they will do anything to get some money from you. So, don’t let anybody (ANYBODY) help you; even if she is the most beautiful woman (or, in case you are a woman, the most handsome guy) and have the greatest and whitest smile. Yell if you have to!
- Finally, when you reach the taxi, pay attention to the traffic signs. All big towns I know have signs giving directions of the common places and roads. Beware of the direction you are heading.
Labels: India
posted by Ricardo at
8:16 AM
3 Comments:
Ei Ric,
Don´t you remember that something like this when I was in Mombay in 2000 but, the difference is that I had book my hotel through the net. And, by instint I guess, I got a pre-paid taxi and, in my way to the cab I had to go all the way saying "no, thanks", to other beggars cause, I got just one, and told him: you´re going take me to the cab. Just one. And when I got to the cab (I had the number) that fantastic phenomome about the conference to try to reach the address I gave him. That´s it for now. Mamãe, still without news from your brother....kisses
Hey,
You right in some sense..but dn't forget Pareto 80:20 rule :)
IIITB'ian
rek, How does Pareto Principle apply here?
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