I was in somewhat the same situation as you are in 2005. I was asked to do two ISEB Foundation Courses in Software Testing in Bangalore and Pune. I had never been to India before (although I had been to other Asian destination). So here's the scoop (as I know it).
1) Make sure that your host company meets you at the airport and ferries you around. Do not use public transport or taxis. Be wary of people in the airport who want to "carry your luggage"--they will extort money from you to get it back.
2) Don't drink the water, and if bottled water is provided in your hotel room, make sure the cap seal is intact. Some hotels refill bottles and "sterilise" them.
3) Avoid eating meat if you can help it. There are lots of good Indian vegetarian options that will be very filling and good. I only had chicken once when I was there (it was OK).
4) Along with (2), don't eat salads or washed vegetables, and don't let them put ice in a drink. Brush your teeth with bottled water.
5) Kingfisher and Cobra Beer are good bets if you want to drink something that's stronger than water.
6) When training, expect people to drift in and out of the class (if it's a class). When you ask a yes/no question, people will nod "yes", shake their head "no", and move their heads from side to side in a kind of figure-8 shape. That also means "yes".
7) If you need something in the hotel, don't be afraid to tip. A R100 note will be enough to ensure that any hotel employee will be thrilled to help you out. There is often a concierge or travel manager available and if you want to sightsee s/he's the person to tip. Smaller tips for the waiters will also be appreciated.
8) Six years ago, the hotel in which I stayed in Bangalore had free WiFi (I wish I could remember the name of it). It worked well and when I was having trouble logging in the hotel IT manager came up and personally helped me log on. Make sure you get a hotel with free WiFi.
9) I had no time to sightsee, but if you can, build in some time to sightsee. Remember that you'll be majorly jetlagged (India is 9-1/2 hours ahead of EST) and make sure you don't have anything to do the first day except settle in. The hotel will be able to get you a driver and car for the sightseeing.
If they fly you into Mumbai first, sightsee there before flying to Bangalore, if you can swing it. But again, make sure you're accompanied by a responsible person.
Don't be surprised by the squalor you'll be passing through. In Bangalore, during the 3/4 hour drive from the hotel to the course venue, we were held up by cows in the road, a herd of pigs, lots of Vespa scooters, and people peeing and the like in the gutters. The venue was sumptuous, as was the hotel, but in between you got a real sense of what life in India was like for millions of people: hard, brutal, and poor.
10) As for outlets, the electricity (when you can get it-in some places it's intermittent but Bangalore ought to be OK) is 240V. Most US laptop power supply bricks and chargers will adapt to either 120/240 but it will be worth checking. The style of outlet varies depending on where you are. The hotel I was in had adapters "on tap" but some had UK-style plugs. I would consult with the people you'll be training before you get there and tell them what your needs are.
11) Don't worry about laundry. The hotel will do it for you. In fact, the hotel I was in was so assiduous that they did laundry for me that I didn't want laundered.
12) You can get currency at the hotel concierge desk. Don't try to get it in the US as India has currency controls. You may be able to get a "tip pack" but I'm not sure. Your credit cards should work but I would communicate with your credit card providers so that they know when and where you'll be as it's possible you may be denied just because they think a scammer has stolen your card number.
13) Bring your toiletries. I don't know how long you're going to be there but if it's, say, 2 weeks then you should be able to bring everything you need.
Finally, enjoy it! Be as careful there of your personal effects as you would in any major US city, enjoy the food, the ambiance, and be relaxed.
I hope this helps a bit. Good luck and please blog while you're there!
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Date: 2011-12-09 11:55 am (UTC)1) Make sure that your host company meets you at the airport and ferries you around. Do not use public transport or taxis. Be wary of people in the airport who want to "carry your luggage"--they will extort money from you to get it back.
2) Don't drink the water, and if bottled water is provided in your hotel room, make sure the cap seal is intact. Some hotels refill bottles and "sterilise" them.
3) Avoid eating meat if you can help it. There are lots of good Indian vegetarian options that will be very filling and good. I only had chicken once when I was there (it was OK).
4) Along with (2), don't eat salads or washed vegetables, and don't let them put ice in a drink. Brush your teeth with bottled water.
5) Kingfisher and Cobra Beer are good bets if you want to drink something that's stronger than water.
6) When training, expect people to drift in and out of the class (if it's a class). When you ask a yes/no question, people will nod "yes", shake their head "no", and move their heads from side to side in a kind of figure-8 shape. That also means "yes".
7) If you need something in the hotel, don't be afraid to tip. A R100 note will be enough to ensure that any hotel employee will be thrilled to help you out. There is often a concierge or travel manager available and if you want to sightsee s/he's the person to tip. Smaller tips for the waiters will also be appreciated.
8) Six years ago, the hotel in which I stayed in Bangalore had free WiFi (I wish I could remember the name of it). It worked well and when I was having trouble logging in the hotel IT manager came up and personally helped me log on. Make sure you get a hotel with free WiFi.
9) I had no time to sightsee, but if you can, build in some time to sightsee. Remember that you'll be majorly jetlagged (India is 9-1/2 hours ahead of EST) and make sure you don't have anything to do the first day except settle in. The hotel will be able to get you a driver and car for the sightseeing.
If they fly you into Mumbai first, sightsee there before flying to Bangalore, if you can swing it. But again, make sure you're accompanied by a responsible person.
Don't be surprised by the squalor you'll be passing through. In Bangalore, during the 3/4 hour drive from the hotel to the course venue, we were held up by cows in the road, a herd of pigs, lots of Vespa scooters, and people peeing and the like in the gutters. The venue was sumptuous, as was the hotel, but in between you got a real sense of what life in India was like for millions of people: hard, brutal, and poor.
10) As for outlets, the electricity (when you can get it-in some places it's intermittent but Bangalore ought to be OK) is 240V. Most US laptop power supply bricks and chargers will adapt to either 120/240 but it will be worth checking. The style of outlet varies depending on where you are. The hotel I was in had adapters "on tap" but some had UK-style plugs. I would consult with the people you'll be training before you get there and tell them what your needs are.
11) Don't worry about laundry. The hotel will do it for you. In fact, the hotel I was in was so assiduous that they did laundry for me that I didn't want laundered.
12) You can get currency at the hotel concierge desk. Don't try to get it in the US as India has currency controls. You may be able to get a "tip pack" but I'm not sure. Your credit cards should work but I would communicate with your credit card providers so that they know when and where you'll be as it's possible you may be denied just because they think a scammer has stolen your card number.
13) Bring your toiletries. I don't know how long you're going to be there but if it's, say, 2 weeks then you should be able to bring everything you need.
Finally, enjoy it! Be as careful there of your personal effects as you would in any major US city, enjoy the food, the ambiance, and be relaxed.
I hope this helps a bit. Good luck and please blog while you're there!