Delhi-Helpful Hints

[edit] Things to Keep in Mind

• Reservations? It is a good idea to make reservations for accommodation and transportation facilities well in advance, so that there is no last minute hitches when one arrives in the city.

• Local Currency. One should keep a fair amount of the local currency, especially loose change with one while travelling through the city. This way one can avoid having to pay a bit extra at any point.

• Shopping and Bargaining. One should trust one's own judgment when it comes to shopping and should beware of touts and agents. Bargaining is often the norm here (except in the up-market areas, of course!), so it is a good idea to be aware of the prevailing rates before starting the actual shopping.

• Lost? If you feel lost or confused, you should straightaway approach the traffic policemen to guide you.

• Beggars and Mendicants? Beware of beggars and even mendicants or anybody who approaches you for alms or donations. Keep your wallets safe, as you would anywhere else.

• Tourist Information Centers? Stay away from so called "Tourist Information Centres" which are near New Delhi Railway Stations, as they are not tourist offices, but tourist agents out to fleece unsuspecting visitors.

• Sports Indian's take sport very seriously and especially relish cricket victories against the likes of England.

• Sports Facilities. Delhi has a surprising amount of sporting facilities for the active traveler including cricket pitches and a beautiful golf course at the Delhi Golf Club.

• Food. The main type of food available in New Delhi is Indian, with regional specialties including Tandooris and Biryani. It is possible as in most large cities to get food from all over the world if Indian is not to your taste.

• Language. Bring a phrase book or phrase list with you. You'll get the most mileage out of a Hindu/Urdu phrase book in the north, but try to get one for the local language of the place you're visiting. You won't likely need it to get your point across, but it surely shows a lot of respect to give the language a try. If you learn one phrase, go for "Your child is beautiful." That will surely get you a lot of smiles and warm responses... :)

• Valuables. The key is to keep the most valuable things closest to you. You shouldn't remove the security belt when you're out and about, so that's where you'll keep you money, passport, tickets (unless you're about to use them), medical prescriptions, and the like.

[edit] Health:

No particular vaccination is required for coming to India. However, visitors from designated countries in Africa, South America and Papua New Guinea, even if they are on transit, are required to bring valid yellow fever vaccination certificates. In the absence of this certificate they will be quarantined for six days.

Precautionary medication is the best bet against ailments like diarrhea, dysentery and malaria. While in India, use mosquito repellent ointment. If you are not already vaccinated against hepatitis B, get it done before travelling. Those not accustomed to Indian conditions are usually vulnerable to stomach problems. It is advisable to seek qualified medical advice before travelling and carry your own first-aid kit.

For travel health, it is best to use your common sense. Take care what you eat or drink. It is best to carry your own mineral water. Hot tea and coffee are good alternatives. Indian travellers do not worry too much about water, because they are tuned to local conditions. Even so, contaminated drinking water remains the main reason for most stomach-related diseases.Diarrhea (the English call it 'Delhi-belly') is the most common stomach ailment. Take a three or five-day course of anti-diarrhea tablets duly prescribed by a doctor. Along with medication, drink a lot of water with salt and sugar as diarrhea leads to dehydration. Alcohol, milk, meat, fried and spicy foods should be avoided. Porridge, stew and the local khichri are easy to digest and, therefore, recommended.