Discovering the Sacred in India: Trip Resources
Quick Facts
Full name: Republic of India
Population: 1.14 billion (World Bank, 2008)
Capital: New Delhi
Most-populated city: Mumbai (Bombay)
Area: 3.1 million sq km (1.2 million sq miles), excluding Indian-administered Kashmir (100,569 sq km/38,830 sq miles)
Major languages: Hindi, English and at least 16 other official languages. English is widely spoken. Nonverbal communication includes different nods for yes, no and ok.
Major religion: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism
Life expectancy: 64.7 years (World Bank, 2007)
Monetary unit: Indian Rupee (approximately 46.5 INR = $1 USD)
Main exports: Agricultural products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, software services and technology, engineering goods, chemicals, leather products
GNI per capita: US $950 (World Bank, 2007)
International dialing code: +91
Location
India shares a border with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Its coast is on the Indian ocean. By area, India is the seventh largest country. Rajasthan (the area where we are spending most of our time) is a state in the northwest of India.
Shopping
In India, you are expected to negotiate the price with street hawkers (but not in department stores) or you risk overpaying. The harder you bargain the more you save. But remember to do it in a fun manner so both you and the shop keeper feel it is a win-win. If someone invites you to their family shop, be aware that it is probably not a family shop and a commission will be added to the price of whatever you buy.
Wood Carvings: Decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture (check the regulations of your home country before attempting to import wooden items)
Clothing: Block prints, sarees
Paintings: Rajasthan has very talented painters
Marble & Stone Carvings: Common carved items include elephants, Hindu gods/goddesses, etc.
Jewelry: Ahhhhhh... beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and earrings
Pillow Covers & Bed Sets: Striking and rich designs are common for pillows and bed covers.
Eating
Cuisine in India varies greatly from region to region. There is such a large variety of food available. Our suggestion is for you to go to a shop and peek into the kettles. Order a few dishes with a nan or roti and allow the party to begin. For those needing Western food, there are always places catering to the Western palate. Vegetarians will discover a culinary treasure that is found nowhere else in the world. Owing to a large number of strictly vegetarian Hindus and Jains, Indian cuisine has evolved an astonishingly rich menu that uses no meat.
Beggars & Charity
Baksheesh, Arabic for a small gift, refers as much to charity as to bribes and is very common. Beggars will use this term to get money from you. I have mixed feeling about giving to street people. I find it can empty your pockets very quickly, and more often than not, the money ends up in someone elses hands. If you feel the need to give, try buying fruit or other food and giving it to the beggars.
Etiquette
Any give or take of anything important should be done with the right hand only. This includes giving and taking of presents, and any transfer of a large amount of money. Dress conservatively ( short skirts (knee-length or above) and sleeveless shirts are not appropriate off the beach). Cover as much skin as possible. Both men and women should keep their shoulders covered. Women should wear baggy clothes that do not emphasize their contours.
Upcoming Dates:
TBA
"Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to travel in a safe, stress-free, open environment. You took on all our headaches, so we could just be in the moment and enjoy the experience that is India. The culture of India is so rich and potent that it makes you forget any other world exists. It requires you to be totally present — forgetting your daily life back home, your job, family, everything — and to be fully engaged in the moment."
~Kelsi Canaday, Oct. 2009