I loved travel on the company's dime. I was fortunate to work throughout the middle and far east in my 30s. I'm not sure I'd look forward to it these days though.
Relax and enjoy the culture. (And don't kill any cows while you are there). Be prepared to overpay; get used to the fact that you are a foreigner, and therefore a sucker! Also be prepared for some stomach bugs - you can do some sensible things to avoid them, but there's a good chance your body is going to react to some bacteria you haven't ever been exposed to before. When taking taxis, negotiate the price BEFORE getting in (although they may have metered taxis in Bangalore...) Barter when you can.
One of the overwhelming things I found in India was the begging. I recall walking out of the airport at Delhi and being surrounded by dozens of kids, all with their hand out. Fortunately, my contact there had told me - don't even say 'no'. Pretend you don't see them. Any interaction is taken as the start of a negotiation. It turned out to be wise advice. Walking with eyes straight ahead, the crowd of beggars lost interest pretty quickly.
On water you have options: In hotels and respectable restaurants, take a chance. You'll get sick. But not very sick, and then you'll get over it and have some immunity. Or - don't drink any water without treating it first. My suggestion: Go to REI and buy two things before you travel: a 2 liter collapsible water bottle, and a supply of water treatment tablets. You can make 2 liters of clean, safe water in your hotel room from the hotel tap water in four hours. (Remember to brush teeth with clean water also!) Also take a regular water bottle with you, and fill it up from your supply of clean water each day. Take it with you to the office so you can drink that instead of whatever the office offers.
Generally, chai (tea) will be safe, as it is made with boiled water - though in India, thanks to the Raj, they often add milk (yuk). Beer is always safe (well, if it isn't, who cares? You'll be sick but drunk). Take alcohol wipes to clean soda cans/bottles before you drink from them - if you like soda.
On food - eat cooked things, and fruit you can peel yourself. Don't drink 'freshly squeezed' fruit juices, especially from street vendors. In fact, don't eat ANYTHING from street vendors. Don't eat salad, even in 'good' restaurants. There's no way you can be sure it's free from Hepatitis.
And on Hepatitis - if you haven't been vaccinated, see your doctor NOW. It takes weeks to get the injections and build immunity.
Don't be tempted to try Paan. Indians seem to love it.
Now - go have fun! (And maybe take a husband or two for company...)
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Date: 2011-12-09 04:42 pm (UTC)Relax and enjoy the culture. (And don't kill any cows while you are there). Be prepared to overpay; get used to the fact that you are a foreigner, and therefore a sucker! Also be prepared for some stomach bugs - you can do some sensible things to avoid them, but there's a good chance your body is going to react to some bacteria you haven't ever been exposed to before. When taking taxis, negotiate the price BEFORE getting in (although they may have metered taxis in Bangalore...) Barter when you can.
One of the overwhelming things I found in India was the begging. I recall walking out of the airport at Delhi and being surrounded by dozens of kids, all with their hand out. Fortunately, my contact there had told me - don't even say 'no'. Pretend you don't see them. Any interaction is taken as the start of a negotiation. It turned out to be wise advice. Walking with eyes straight ahead, the crowd of beggars lost interest pretty quickly.
On water you have options: In hotels and respectable restaurants, take a chance. You'll get sick. But not very sick, and then you'll get over it and have some immunity. Or - don't drink any water without treating it first. My suggestion: Go to REI and buy two things before you travel: a 2 liter collapsible water bottle, and a supply of water treatment tablets. You can make 2 liters of clean, safe water in your hotel room from the hotel tap water in four hours. (Remember to brush teeth with clean water also!) Also take a regular water bottle with you, and fill it up from your supply of clean water each day. Take it with you to the office so you can drink that instead of whatever the office offers.
Generally, chai (tea) will be safe, as it is made with boiled water - though in India, thanks to the Raj, they often add milk (yuk). Beer is always safe (well, if it isn't, who cares? You'll be sick but drunk). Take alcohol wipes to clean soda cans/bottles before you drink from them - if you like soda.
On food - eat cooked things, and fruit you can peel yourself. Don't drink 'freshly squeezed' fruit juices, especially from street vendors. In fact, don't eat ANYTHING from street vendors. Don't eat salad, even in 'good' restaurants. There's no way you can be sure it's free from Hepatitis.
And on Hepatitis - if you haven't been vaccinated, see your doctor NOW. It takes weeks to get the injections and build immunity.
Don't be tempted to try Paan. Indians seem to love it.
Now - go have fun! (And maybe take a husband or two for company...)