Hi, I am REALLY a newbie at this. Never signed up for this sort of thing before! I love slowtrav so I figured why not. I find that the older I get the more I want to connect with people who share my wanderlust. I've traveled a lot in Europe, lived in Florence and Cyprus, had a weird trip to Egypt, and am considering India now. Anyone out there with similar experiences/suggestions/feedback about India especially?

I spent 3 weeks in India and I did not want to leave. I was not a "youngster" - around 40 when I went I suppose. I did have a context for most of my trip. I went to visit a place called Tyllonia(?sp?)in Rajastahn - it's what they call a Barefoot College (to train village teachers and midwives) so I was able to stay in the facilities right there and were lucky to be taken around for day trips, etc. After 1 1/2 wks there we travelled to Jaipur - which was incredible and then ended up in Goa at Fort Vagator. I found Indian fascinating and so culturally rich that it took my breath away. We did not have the usual travel dilemmas, however, that face many travellers in India because in part we were shown around but we found our independent travel fine and appreciated how warm the people were and how interesting everything was. Sure I saw poverty and begging, but I saw alot of richness in other ways. The markets were the best I have ever been to so we were lucky to bring back a great array of precious (to us) momentos. Bon voyage whatever journey you choose!

Thanks Debrah--I, too, will not be a "youngster", as I am older now than what you were then! I have to admit that I'm not too keen on going it alone, which is what I've always done, but I think India is a different story. Don't know how that will take shape, however! Your comment about it taking your breath away is definitely how I perceive it.

Vicky

I wish I could offer some insights about India, but sadly, I cannot. However, I'd be very interested to hear about your "weird trip to Egypt," as I've wanted to visit there since I was very young, and I hope finally to make the trip sometime in the next couple of years.

Friends of mine in Santa Fe just got back from two weeks in India. They did a small group tour of temples (they are an architect and a builder) and loved it. One of them did get sick - intestinal problems - which seems to happen to everyone that I know who has been to India.

They said the weather in January was good - not too hot. Their tour moved them around a lot - one night here, two nights there - and they wished it had been slower.

Their photos were fabulous. When she has them online, I will post a link to them.

quote:

Originally posted by RFujitani:
I wish I could offer some insights about India, but sadly, I cannot. However, I'd be very interested to hear about your "weird trip to Egypt," as I've wanted to visit there since I was very young, and I hope finally to make the trip sometime in the next couple of years.

Ryan,
How much time to you have to read about my weird trip to Egypt??

Long story short, in August 1978 I went as an archeological illustrator to an Egyptology professor in California who was writing a book. Very eminent in his field. Stayed in his house outside of Cairo, near the pyramids, ostensibly for 6 weeks, but ran away after 3 days due to various forms of sub-standard treatment and conditions. Ran to someone I met on the plane from Rome to Cairo. Stayed 2 weeks-- it was the earliest I could get out due to it being Ramadan and the airlines pretty much didn't have office hours during the day. Anyway, I got to see Cairo a lot at night, went to Alexandria & Port Said/Suez. Much more to this story but that's the gist of it. Presumably your trip will be much happier!

Vicky

Wow...

Happier? Yes, I certainly hope so. But that's too bad about your trip, because it would seem like an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to accompany someone on such an "expedition," so to speak. Consider going back some day?

I'm not sure I'll ever get to India myself, but am presently living vicariously through my (much) younger half-sister's blog. She and her boyfriend are spending six months travelling before going to university. They are based in Delhi right now (today they left for a ten day trip to Agra and surrounds). It's absolutely fascinating to read of their experiences!