19 things you need to know before going to India

Traveling to India is a intense experience for both the good and the weird. What is everyday for them can be a culture shock for us. Here is a list of things that we learned as we went along and that we think will come in handy if you are going for the first time.

1. Uber works and it's dirt cheap

Moving around large cities such as Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore with Uber is a salvation. The prices are absurdly cheap compared to Spain, and in addition, you you avoid the typical haggling with tuktuk drivers. The only problem is that at rush hour the traffic gets crazy and it may take a long time to get there or you may lose a lot of time in a traffic jam, but at least you are in an air-conditioned car. We used it all the time, even for short trips that would have cost us more in energy than money.

👀 Watch out!
If you are in rush hour in an area of the center super congested by traffic no Uber will come to pick you up. It happened to us in Old Delhi so it won't happen to you!

2. Noise is part of the landscape

Silence does not exist in India. Among the constant honking the prayers over loudspeakers The noise level is very high, especially at night, with stray dogs and fireworks appearing without warning. The best thing to do is to take sleep earplugs Even in residential areas or areas far from the center there can be a lot of noise. We use them every night and even then we were sometimes woken up by firecrackers or dawn prayers.

3. Unexpected compliments and selfies

Before our trip we had already read about the selfies, but what we didn't expect were the selfies we were taking compliments that were made to us especially by local men, especially directed at men. Comments like "good beard, sir" (good beard, sir) or "nice hair"are common, and have no strange intention behind them. It's just part of their way of relating. It may come as a bit of a shock if you're not used to it, but most of the time they just say it with a smile and that's all. The thing about becoming selfies with you also happens, especially in more touristy places, and especially if you are foreign, white and/or blond.

4. Traveling between cities is very easy

In the Rajasthan area it is quite easy to move between the main tourist cities. We went without having anything from home and we took everything as we went along. Here is a brief summary of the better options but if you want all the details, visit our article on how to move around India.

• Uber Intercity: Private cars with driver at quite reasonable prices. Calculate about 30 € per 100 km, although this may vary depending on the region and the type of vehicle.
• Hire a cab at the hotel: When we asked around we realized that in our case, it was usually cheaper if the cab was picked up directly from the hotel.
• 12Asiago: here you will find all the options, bus, train and cab although a bit more expensive.
• Trains: you can go directly to the stations to buy the ticket. It is recommended to buy in advance. We tried to get a first class ticket and when we went to buy it, it was already sold out.

5. Driving in India is another world

If you are tempted to rent a car or motorcycle in India, think twice. The chaos on the road is total: cars beep for everything (to overtake, to warn, to greet), many have their high beams on even during the day, they change directions while driving for a while in opposite direction and motorcycles ride without rear-view mirrors. The rules exist, but no one seems to follow them. You will see cars, motorcycles, cows and pedestrians sharing the same lane. It is best to let the locals drive and assume that traffic rules here are... flexible, to put it mildly.

6. The famous head movement

One of the most puzzling things at the beginning is the gesture they make with their head A sideways movement, as if they are saying "no", but in reality it can mean anything, "yes", "no" or "maybe". At first it is very confusing because you are asking them something and it seems like they are saying no, but in reality they are agreeing. The recommendation that one local gave us is look at the expression on the face to guess the meaning, although we assure you that it is not easy either.

7. Little stalls everywhere

In India it is very common to see small food stalls drinks and snacks almost everywhere. We only saw more "western" looking stores on the outskirts. They sell a little bit of everything: chai, cookies, chips, water bottles, fruit, etc. At first we didn't trust them much, but since there is no other option you will have no choice but to buy there. If you are looking for a "pharmacy" You will find stalls of the same style, don't look for anything else.

8. Beer "out of menu".

In many Indian restaurants you won't see alcohol on the menu, but that doesn't mean they don't have it. Many places they serve beer "on tap because they haven't paid the alcohol license (we assume), so they just don't advertise it. If you ask directly they will usually say yes and bring you one Kingfisher fresh without making much noise. Just don't expect variety: there are usually one or two brands and that's it. And in some more religious states it may be more difficult to get it.

9. Auto Rickshaw = Tuktuk

Although we all use the word "tuktuk", the official name in India is auto rickshaw. In apps like Uber or on official signs you will see that term. It's exactly the same thing: those motorized tricycles that go everywhere and that slip through the traffic as if nothing had happened. In some cities (such as Mumbai) have taximeter In others not, and that is where you have to negotiate the price before getting on. They are part of the Indian landscape and daily life, and although at first it is a little scary to ride, then you get fond of them. You will see that the own locals use them a lot as they are the cheapest transportation option, you will get to see tuktuks with almost 10 people inside.

10. Eating at any time

In India there is no such thing as a strict timetable for meals. People eat lunch and dinner when it suits them, and restaurants are used to that. It is very easy to find places where they serve food at 4 o'clock in the afternoon or at 10 o'clock at night without being looked at strangely. This is very convenient for travelers because you don't have to keep an eye on the clock. The kitchen is usually always open The normal thing to do is to order what you want at the time you want. However, at night, be careful because do not usually close very late At around 11 am you will find almost all the kitchens already closed.

11. Chewing tobacco in sachets

You will see many people, mostly men, spitting reddish liquid on the street. It's not blood or anything weird: it's chewing tobacco They sell it in little sachets and you will see it in all the little stalls on the street. They chew it and then spit it out, and that is why you will see red stains on the sidewalks. Also, many have red stained gums and teeth. It is a widespread habit, although quite unpleasant if you are not used to seeing it. Be careful where you step, especially in stations or markets.

12. Beware of chats that end up in a store.

One thing that happened to us several times was that someone would approach us to talk in a friendly way, asking where we were from, how long we had been in India, if it was our first trip... all very natural. But after 10 or 15 minutes of conversation, there would come the classic "my shop is very close just come to see, no buy, just see". This is not always the case, of course, there are people who are just curious, but if the talk goes on too long, there is probably a sale behind it.

13. Constant Calima

In the Rajasthan area there is a calima floating in the air constant, especially in large cities. It is a kind of mixture of pollution and dust which gives the atmosphere a hazy tone all day long, few days we saw blue sky. If you wear contact lenses you will notice it in your eyes as soon as you go outside, and you will also notice it in your nose when you go back to the hotel at night (what a black snot!). It seems like a minor thing, but it makes a big difference to the light and the overall ambience.

14. Cars with liquefied gas

We were impressed by the number of vehicles that use liquefied gas instead of gasoline or diesel, you will see it especially in cabs. It is a measure to save money and reduce emissions, at least in theory. You will see stickers indicating this on the back of the car. At the user level the only thing that can affect you is that there is almost no space in the trunk for the suitcases, since most of it is taken up by the gas tank. To refuel it is mandatory to get out of the car for safety, so don't worry if they tell you to get out of the car when you get to a gas station, they won't leave you stranded.

15. Gray hair dyed with henna

One thing that attracted a lot of attention was the sight of older men with the hair of a reddish-orange hue quite striking. It's not that they wanted to go with the latest fashion: it's that they use henna to dye their gray hair because it's a cheaper option than the dyes that are sold. Henna is natural and widely used in India, both for hair and skin decorations.

16. The blessing on the head

On some occasions, especially if you talk to older or religious people, they may touch the top of your head. It is a gesture traditional blessing and respect Do not be afraid. For them it is a way of wishing you wisdom, health or protection. It is not something that happens all the time, but if it happens to you, accept it naturally, because they do it with good intentions. It is more common if you enter a temple or if you have a long conversation with someone older.

17. Fireworks every day

One night we were in our lodging so quietly when, all of a sudden, they start to explode! fireworks! We thought it would be a wedding or something special, but it turned out that happens almost every day. In India there are so many temples and many religious festivities It is normal to hear firecrackers or fireworks even during the week. Don't expect it to be just a weekend or holiday thing. If you are a light sleeper, this can also be another reason to use earplugs.

18. Zomato: the Indian "Glovo".

If at any time you would like to stay in the lodging and order food at home Zomato is the app you have to use. It works in most major cities, especially in Mumbai, and has everything from international chains to local restaurants. The app is in English and you can pay online or in cash. We used it several times when we were tired and the food arrived quickly and well. Very useful if you don't feel like going out or if you are in a less touristic area where it is difficult to find a place to eat.

19. Trucks tuned to the maximum

One thing that attracts a lot of attention on the road is the decorated trucks. They carry drawings of gods hand-painted phrases, colorful lights and even hanging garlands. And best of all, the horn sounds just like the rides at the fair! Some of them are real rolling works of art. They do it as a mixture of religious tradition, aesthetics and superstition: they believe that the more beautiful and decorated the truck is, the more protected it will be on the road. For those of us who come from Europe, where everything is more sober, it is quite a visual spectacle.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement 19 things you need to know before going to India you can visit our posts about India.