rajju077's Profile

Yes I liked the before version more than the new one. The new is functional for Frank. But I prefer the before look.
Before people call me crazy or less financially fortunate or other disparaging comments, this is my personal opinion. We can agree to disagree.

Forgot to mention that it's a LaCie laptop bag :

LaCie Cozy 13-Inch Carrying Case for MacBook
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?id=10565

I don't think people understand the purpose of purifiers. Plants will not remove dust particles or germs from the air.
Plants will do nothing to purify the air, it will replenish the air with a specific amount of oxygen. Please understand the purpose and functions of each before advising people to use plants instead of purifiers.

@RODOSEE Thank you for posting some of the same information as I did. I guess you don't 'beg to differ' with me on those points.
And yes- I really didn't suppose any of the visitors or natives of India here meant to say that 'we are or we are not so bad' in India.

Dupattas will bleed, even if you buy the kind from the malls from Reliance or whatever. Treat every dupatta like they will bleed. Better safe than sorry.
Camelbak has one of those water purifier canteen things- I forgot the name. It is something you can carry around as well.

Stephanie- as RODOSEE said- everything is available in India. You just need to look around.
Southern India may have loads of coffee varieties, still doesn't have has many as elsewhere.
Regarding medicines, research their generic names and buy those at the local shops made by reputed pharmaceutical companies. Get your vaccinations at your local pharmacy/country though. Malarial propphylactic drugs are expensive India, especially if you have insurance in your home country to cover the costs.
Always, always have a pack or two of electrolytes.
And hand sanitizers. I cannot stress how important it is. Especially with all the drug resistant TB going around, and the season of flu.

@ALLISON WILLIAMS and others wanting to visit India:

- It is going to be cold in India. They do have space heaters there, but it's unusually rare. Remember that they don't have a lasting cold, space heaters are expensive and electricity is expensive. You won't find heaters /rugs etc. commonly used around there. City homes have space heaters only if needed. In the summer, it gets crazy hot, and therefore most of the flooring is tile or marble.
- Carry your own bedsheets or Sarees if you can. There is a bed bug issue in India, along with other assorted insects.
- You will find scarves in unlikely shops. Ask for Shawls instead of scarves. Dupattas are similar to scarves but thin in nature and they lose their color really quick. Never wash them with your regular clothes.Look for local markets setup up by Nepali people or similar people- they have a lot of winter clothes for cheap.
- Definitely take leggings. Instead of wasting time at the tailor, go to a mall and you will find cheap and good fitting leggings. They will alter your leggings as well- just like the tailor. Ofcourse, if you don't have access to a mall, a local tailor is just as good.
- There are very few places to wash your hands. Always carry a hand sanitizer. Toilet paper is not used in India- you might find it in city hotels/motels and some grocery stores.
- Kleenex - the brand itself is not available. But there are local brands that are available, just ask for them at the pharmacy stores or grocery stores.
- Makeup wipes - or carry a small bottle of 70% alcohol spray and some cotton.
- Contact lens solution are available in optician/eyewear shops or any shop that sells glasses/contact lenses.
- Buy your own soap.

If you go to the metro cities, everyone speaks English. All the signs are in English. Unless you are in a very remote area. You will get stared at a lot.
If it bugs you, DO NOT engage in any kind of conversation. Ignore and move away.
You were lucky to not be around rowdy/hooligans. Otherwise, you need to be extremely careful with these people. They get violent from time to time. Don't believe me? Read timesofindia.com and see the amount of tourists being harassed or raped in those regions everyday. And these are only the ones that were reported. Namaste is not that common as many people think it is, unless you are greeting elders/old people. I haven't said Namaste in years.
Sitting with old ladies is a good idea.

Customs and language differ from region to region with India. Mumbai is going to be a lot different as compared to places in Northern India or Bihar.
Mumbai may not be the safest place for female tourists, but is safer as compared to Delhi and other north regions. Always travel in groups, if you can.