India. Detailed guide. Mobile communications, internet in India. What can you eat for breakfast

I will not say that all people are different, and everyone has different needs. Let's count together.

The basic travel budget looks like this:

1. Visa to India.
2. Airfare to India (Delhi/Goa/Kerala, etc.)
3. Living expenses (guesthouse or good hotel)
4. Food expenses
5. Tour Expenses
6. Shopping expenses (souvenirs, clothes, etc.)

Let's go in order:

Visa to India

We applied for an electronic visa to India for $75 per person (plus, when paying, the payment system takes a commission of about $1. If you apply for a visa at the embassy of Moscow or St. Petersburg, it will be 2 times cheaper.

If you buy a ticket, then the agency issues a visa for you (this makes life very easy), the cost of a visa is either already included in the price, or is about $ 65-75 per person.

Travel and accommodation expenses

If you are on a package tour, then everything is simple: choose the number of days, the hotel, and you will already know the amount.

Prices for trips to India

On average, trips to India cost from 40-60 thousand rubles. for two. The specific cost depends on your city, seasonality. But whoever seeks will always find.

The surest way is to subscribe to right direction on sites with the lowest prices for tours, such as, wait low prices and immediately pay online until the price is gone.

How much are flights to Goa?

If you are traveling on your own, then in the budget you lay the price for flight, accommodation and transfer to the hotel .

You can save on a flight to India in 2 ways:

1. You can also track flight prices in advance, for example, you can subscribe to the direction you need at. You can also play around with the cities (a flight to Goa with a change in Delhi can be cheaper direct flight in Goa). And don't forget to check neighboring dates, for example, in New Year tickets with a departure on January 5 were cheaper by 30% than tickets on January 1-4. IN same There is a price calendar where it is more convenient to choose the most budget option.
2. In addition, you can optimize your expenses by carefully considering the route and replacing the flight with a train ride. Prices on trains in India are 2 times lower than in our reserved seats, but for a compartment in the 1st class you will pay an amount identical to the flight by plane. You can read about the types of carriages on Indian trains

For an example, you can familiarize yourself with ours, which we made this winter. It describes the prices for trains, the route by date. Link to article. How to buy train tickets, I described.

Housing prices in India

Regarding accommodation the prices depend on your possibilities. Hotels in India tend to leave a lot to be desired. I have never seen such a terrible guesthouse as we had in . At the same time, for the same amount in Kovalam, we rented a decent room with a private terrace among the palm trees. But you will have to look well for a decent option.

Prices for guesthouses start from 350 rupees (1 ruble costs about 1 rupee), on average 500-700 rupees. A hotel room costs from 1000 rupees. For example, you can also look at those that we filmed on our trip, I’ll make a reservation right away, they were. Article about our hotels.

Here are some examples of hotels you can rent in India:

How much do taxis, buses, bike rentals cost in India?

And we will also touch on the topic of transport within the country. I have already briefly talked about trains, now let's talk about taxis and buses. Taxi in Delhi is the most expensive mode of transport, it is more expensive than train travel. For example, to get from Arambol ( north goa) to Calangute costs 800-1000 rupees (1-1.5 hours drive).

Those. if you want to go from Dabolin Airport to Goa to the hotel by taxi, it doesn’t matter to North or south goa, then keep in stock 800-1500 rupees.

Important! All airports and railway stations in India have a Pre-raid taxi system (sometimes Pre-raid rickshaw), so look for the right sign near the exit from the airport, where you will be told the official cost of a taxi without cheating (but it's still not cheap).

In addition, in India there are Uber and local applications for ordering a taxi (but you need to have an Indian SIM card to activate).

We used the cheapest mode of transport in India - buses. It is usually old but cheap. The average fare is 10-40 rupees depending on the distance.

Important! You need to know that after 6 buses no longer run, so it is better to plan all movements for the day. Plus, buses in India run short distances (except for buses that travel from one state to another).

And of course, you can in the same Goa rent a bike, the average cost is 400-600 rupees per day. The price depends on the city and rental time.

The price of food in a restaurant and shops in India

And we came to, probably, the most interesting topic. In India, you can write for 300 rupees a day if you are ready to eat thali every day:

Thali costs from 80 to 160 rupees per serving, depending on the city and type (vegetarian / with fish / with chicken).

But if this method is not for you, here is an example of prices from a local cafe:

My husband and I are not fans of eating rice alone. In addition, my husband wanted to try more seafood. Below is an approximate list of prices for cafes where we ate in Arambol:

What can you eat for breakfast:

2 boiled eggs - 40-60 rupees

Coffee - 40-50 rupees

Tea - 20-40 rupees

Piece of cake (with mango or banana) - 70-80 rupees

Products in the store:

A bag of tomatoes and cucumbers in a vegetable shop (about 1 kg.) - 40-60 rupees

1 Pineapple - 50 rupees

Freshly squeezed mango juice - 70 rupees

Chocolate paste (50 grams) in the store - 60 rupees

Bread - 40-50 rupees

Cheese - 80-120 rupees

Butter (not clear butter or margarine) - 60 rupees.

What you can have lunch and dinner in a cafe:

Chinese chicken noodles (large portion for two) - 160-180 rupees.

Momos with chicken (something between dumplings and manti) - 160-200 rupees

Thali with chicken - 160 rupees

What can you try from seafood:

Small shrimps - 360 rupees for 6-8 pieces with a side dish (potatoes + salad with cucumbers, tomatoes)

Shark - 400-500 rupees (not on the beach) with a side dish (potatoes + salad with cucumbers, tomatoes)

King prawns (15 cm long) - 1200 rupees for 3 pcs. garnish (potatoes + salad with cucumbers, tomatoes)

We had a budget of 1500 rupees for the day, which is enough to just eat, but we also often tried seafood, so we went beyond the budget.

Tour Expenses

In general, these costs may not be. You can just relax on the beach. In India, there is generally no such developed excursion business as in Turkey and Thailand, for example.

On the example of Goa, I can say that there is only one worthwhile excursion - this excursion to the waterfall ( sightseeing tour with a visit to the old city). It costs 1800-2000 rupees per person from the locals. We really enjoyed this tour, but only at the expense of the guide. I don’t remember her name, but she told us with particular enthusiasm all day about the history of India, the castes, how the locals live, about their customs, for example, weddings and funerals. We learned more about India in one day than during our entire vacation. She told me what to bring with me from India, where to buy it, etc. Whether you're lucky, I don't know.

And so usually in Goa they rent a bike and ride along the beaches for the whole vacation. We have not yet learned how to ride a bike, so this is not an option for us. But if, for example, you will rest for 9-10 days in Goa, then from the places I recommend to see Arambol (especially the night party) and Palolem (stay overnight with a house among palm trees on the beach).

Also, if you have the strength, visit Hampi. Very atmospheric place With ancient history. A bus ticket from Goa to Hampi costs 1,500 rupees one way, a train ticket is 3 times cheaper, an excursion is 5 times more expensive. But to visit it you need to allocate 2 days.

The Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) is only worth a visit if you are in Delhi and have the time. From Goa, I do not recommend going on an excursion (very expensive) or on your own (also expensive) for a few days. Better enjoy the beach.

Choose excursions in advance and budget.

Shopping expenses

Here it is already better to agree in advance and allocate a certain amount, because you can buy something in India endlessly. Question - do you need it?

For the second time I brought a suitcase of cosmetics from India, I just don't use it. She's really worth it.

Read more my articles:

Souvenirs in India cost 40-300 rupees, depending on what you go to buy.

Quality items are hard to find, regular t-shirts cost 150-250 rupees, shorts 250-400 rupees.

This is how your travel expenses in India will look like. Count yourself.

By the way, do not forget about Ayurveda, massage in India costs from 700 rupees.

I hope the article was useful for you. I would be glad if you share it with your friends! ,

Do you have any questions? Write in the comments!

Today my guest is a special guest for me, since with this citizen we managed to work in the same office for almost five years. 🙂

And although we are diametrically opposed people in character, there was one topic that equally excited our imagination.

Talking about distant countries long roads, and it became scary that another ten years might pass, and we would still dream of traveling and a free life, without doing anything for this.

So one day I made a decision, quit my job, and once again I started everything from scratch. What was my surprise when I found out a year later that my neighbor followed the same unrighteous path. 🙂

And how - I already managed to go to India, take many trials there and survive a lot interesting adventures. I asked her to tell me how she came to such a life. I always wonder at what stage people flip the switch in their heads.

Victor Kotovsky: First, tell us who you are, what you like, what you do, etc.

Svetlana: I am glad to introduce myself to your readers, we have known each other for a long time. :) My name is Svetlana. I am an English teacher by education. By profession, a former manager in the field of ship supply. She worked in this field for about nine years.

On this moment in free flight. I like to travel, go in for sports, read books, I am fond of psychology, philosophy, self-knowledge, I lead a healthy lifestyle, I practice yoga from time to time.

If I have inspiration, I do soap making (I remember how you joked about this, remembering the movie "Fight Club") :). In life - a cheerful and optimistic person.

VC: I already told you that I did not believe that you could change your life so dramatically. Turns out he was wrong, and that's good. In my opinion, you have always been a normal, practical person, and do you remember the moment when you changed?

St: Fun question :). Yes, she seems to have remained a normal person, in her understanding of this norm. Although, if you take into account the reaction of others, then yes, it has become not quite normal. (completely abnormal - approx. Kotovsky).

I think certain qualities are given to us by nature. And, as they say, you can't escape nature. You can hide yourself behind a number of masks and not even guess that you are wearing them. Live not your own life. Do not hear yourself, do not understand your inner needs, desires.

Hence all the problems of our society, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, dissatisfaction with life. People stopped listening and understanding themselves. Society imposes certain frameworks, standards, values. Only nature has no standards. She is who she is.

Years of work on yourself, on understanding your desires, needs and true values ​​have done their job. Masks began to fall off, sensitivity appeared, the ability to hear your inner voice. To be honest, he surprises me sometimes.

I’ll tell you a secret, I recently read in my natal chart:

“Most people do not know about your audacity, rage, “crazy”, and even you yourself may not know that you are capable of it. You try to restrain the unusual, inventive, impulsive side of your nature - or realize it only in your fantasies. You may have strange dreams."

VC: It’s not a secret for me, remember, when we celebrated your birthday in Greece, I said that I see two dissimilar entities in you: one that I really don’t like - sober and practical, and the second is much better - what is written in your natal chart (I have no idea what it is). Of course, he turned out to be right. 🙂

Okay, let's continue. Was it not scary to lose stability? And in general, how much is it needed in life, this stability?

St: It's scary to live without truly living. Doing the work you hate day in and day out. I lived in a comfort zone: work is five minutes away from home, a stable salary, a working car, good relations with the authorities, a team that has already become family, vacation twice a year with travel abroad.

Everything would be fine, only last year I began to clearly feel that this was not my job in life, that it was time to take the first steps in my direction, to start doing what I liked, and not what you should. And who, exactly, should? Colleagues, parents, society? And will you be happy with it?

No decisive action was taken then. Only this year I came to a moment when apathy unusual for me appeared in my life, a complete loss of energy and vitality.

It was worth coming to work, as some strange feeling of unbearability, lack of oxygen, pressure of the walls appeared ...

VC: I think you were especially pressured by a poster with the classification of commercial fish, hung up a hundred years ago in our office by no one knows who and why. 🙂

St: I think he put more pressure on you and Ruslan. After all, it was you who suggested replacing all the posters in the office with posters in the "Shame" genre :). And if not for my sobriety and practicality... 🙂

So after my symptoms, losing stability was not scary. It was scary that I even brought myself to such a state.

For myself, I clearly understood that there is no development in stability. It resembles life in a box, the walls of which over the years become overgrown with thick moss, fresh air and it's hard for sunlight to get in. I really felt like I was in a box. Groundhog Day - every day. They didn’t even save vacations, with trips abroad.

Such stability is definitely not needed!

VC: I totally agree, once I contracted this virus, I realized that it is extremely difficult to satisfy my desire for freedom for a standard vacation. When you look back, it turns out that he lived only four weeks, and the rest of the time - like a black hole.

Regarding such a drastic change in lifestyle, was it hard to go against public opinion? After all, for sure, your parents and relatives did not expect such a maneuver from you at all. How to deal with it?

St: I won't say it was easy. In my life I try to avoid conflicts and disagreements, harmony at work, at home, in relationships is very important to me. I respect other people's choices, even if I don't agree with them.

Everyone has the right to freedom of choice. I had to defend my right to freedom. My parents and relatives let me know that they do not support my decision. To be honest, they just didn't understand me. They had their own expectations for me, their own vision of how my life should develop.

But choosing life according to someone else's plan, I would give up myself, from my individual path which would lead to great disappointment. We forget that each person is an individual. It is impossible to fit everyone into one common pattern.

In especially difficult moments, I even had a small verse:
Where the Soul insistently calls,
Where I return from is not the same.
Let the masks all fly to the f..u ...
I want to live, breathe!!!
I have the right to freedom!

VC: Wow, you already write poetry?? I liked it, especially about the masks, how they fly off. 🙂

St: Only we can give ourselves the right to freedom, no one keeps us on a leash and does not shackle us. They are more shackles in the head than in reality ...

It turns out to be a struggle with oneself. There is a solution: stop fighting!

I believe that our reality is only a reflection of our inner world. Therefore, the perception and life experience is different for everyone. As soon as you defeat the inner enemy, the outer "enemies" disappear from your life, or simply stop catching you.

VC: That's what you said very correctly - "reality is only a reflection of our inner world." I try to propagate this thesis on the pages of my site, because for me it works one hundred percent.

To be honest, doesn’t it seem to you that you just have some kind of personality fracture now, and after a while you will be doing the same thing as before? Was it worth the loss of stability?

St: I have already said that in such stability there is no development, no life. I'm sure I'm going in the right direction. The indicators of this are happiness, joy, lightness on the way, the absence of the slightest fear of the future. And these are just my first steps. Plus, I noticed that such trips develop flexibility of thinking. For the sake of this, of course, it is worth losing stability.

VC: I believe that every two or three years it is necessary to change the work, the environment, and possibly the occupation in life. You agree?

St: I agree that there is no need to resist the natural flow of life. And nothing is permanent in life.
No need to hold on to the work in which there is no more development, which does not bring pleasure. We must boldly go towards changes, then new opportunities will open up. Get out of the "box", out of the comfort zone, not allow yourself to stiffen in your beliefs, be flexible like children.

I do not think that there is a universal rule for everyone - to change jobs every two or three years. Everything is individual.

VC: Reasonable. Tell us what books, films, personalities influenced your worldview.

St: I will not name specific names, especially since they are unknown to the general public. Some of them even left the Internet, having completed their task.

I just want to say that we all influence each other in one way or another.

You probably noticed that when you meet a traveler on the way and exchange positive emotions with him, an incredible energy surge occurs between you. The positive is literally multiplied. The same thing happens with the negative. The main thing is not to feed it with your energy.

It is important to surround yourself with people with positive intentions, with a positive outlook on life. When focusing on the bright sides of reality, the right people and the right books will come to life, someone will “accidentally” recommend a film that will answer current questions.

VC: Yes, that's right, they say that when the student is ready, the teacher will be found.

And why exactly India, probably, is it somehow connected with your yoga practice?

St: A special attitude towards India, probably, subconsciously formed in my childhood. When I was a child, my parents sent me for the summer to my grandmother in sunny Bashkiria, in a small town called Dyurtyuli.

Now with a smile I remember my small palm, in which my grandmother put a coin for another ticket to the local cinema, where Indian films were shown with repetition. I still remember their names: "Zita and Gita", "Dance, dance", "Disco Dancer" and many others. I grew up with these films.

I don't know why they were so popular in the USSR in the 80s. This question was asked to me by my new friend Mithun, the namesake of one of the most popular actors in India, Mithun Chakraborty (can you imagine, I remember his complicated name from childhood).

I laughed for a long time when Mithun told me that he even had to delete his Facebook account due to the attack of Russian women who asked for him by the thousands to be friends, apparently hoping that he was the same hero of Indian films.

At the very beginning of 2011, I “accidentally” (in quotation marks, because I am deeply convinced that nothing happens by chance in our World) met a girl Natalya at a party. An incredibly powerful positive energy emanated from her.

She had just arrived from India and told the story of her adventures. Natalia said that she lived and worked as a volunteer in an international eco-commune called Sadhana Forest, which is engaged in restoration rainforest on heavily eroded land near the city of Auroville, in southern India.

I remember bombarding her with questions. It was very interesting. In parting, Natasha scribbled the name of this place on a piece of paper for me. After that, I visited the home page of this commune more than once, dreaming that one day I would be there. We never saw Natalia again.
So interesting, a couple of hours of communication with a stranger just now, and the line of your life rushes in a new direction.

After this memorable meeting, I had a spontaneous refusal of meat products (remember, I told you this amazing story). Then at the end of the same year I went to yoga. Last year, I took a 3-day vegetarian course, where I completely fell in love with Indian cuisine.

VC: Now it is clear. What was the route?

St: The route was originally one - a trip to the Sadhana Forest. The plan was to spend one month there. All the preparations for the trip went like clockwork and took less than a month. By happy accident I received a mailing list from a local travel agency about cheap flights to Delhi.

Another pleasant coincidence - a few days before booking flights, I find out about a 10-day meditation practice to clear the mind, I feel an inner impulse, I quickly find the right center (just on the way to Sadhana Forest - another good luck), I register, I get confirmation , I buy tickets for the flight, I make insurance, and only then I get a visa (here I took a risk, since I was running out of time).

I worked my last day on August 12, bought air tickets on August 20, and on September 10 I was already sitting on the plane, sitting comfortably in an armchair, drinking tea with brownies. There were 40 days of travel ahead….

Flight Tallinn-Helsinki-Delhi, then immediately from Delhi to Chennai by local airlines.

10 days of voluntary imprisonment in a meditation center (Chennai city), and then on nature: plant trees and spend the night in a bungalow.

VC: Great! I always say that when you want something, the whole world comes to meet you!

To go to India, and even to the outback, alone, to a blonde ... is this the question that all your relatives asked you before the trip? 🙂 And what is really there?

St: In fact, it is quite safe there, but only during the daytime! At nightfall, it is better for single ladies not to appear on the streets unaccompanied by a man. Sadhana Forest (SF) was constantly reminded of this.

There is even a separate “Safety & Healing” stand, which, among other things, has a poster with tips on how to minimize the risk of sexual harassment from the local population. Therefore, in the evenings, we traveled outside the commune exclusively accompanied by men.

In India, the topic of sex is very suppressed. Hindus are officially forbidden to have intimate relationships before marriage. You can't openly show your feelings in public. And some men can only get married at the age of 21, 28 or even 30, having never experienced the joy of intimacy before. Just imagine how much repressed sexual energy accumulates by this age. And not everyone can direct it in the right direction.

Therefore, at the sight of a pretty and lonely woman in the dark, they may not be able to resist.

VC: Yes, I worked in Scotland with the Indians, they told me about such passions. However, these prohibitions apply only in the provinces, my Hindu friend said that in big cities already everything is the same as with us - a decline in morals and depravity. 🙂

By the way, is everything in India really as dirty and creepy as they show on TV? How is it in terms of infection, disease and other troubles?

St: You know, during the whole trip I had some amazing inner feeling of comfort and cleanliness. Nothing evoked creepy and squeamish feelings. Still, it is a moment of perception.

From the first minutes I fell in love with this country, accepted it completely as it is, with noisy chaotic traffic, dirty streets and emotional people. I felt at home there, completely at ease, like a fish in water. I think that's why not a single infection took me. I will give a couple of examples of how it worked for other people.

1. Nikita from Latvia is a temporary volunteer in Sadhana Forest. Upon arrival in India, I packed my shoes in a travel bag and did not take them out again until departure. He returned home safe and sound. The person is incredibly positive!

2. During a 10-day meditation in Chennai, about five women caught an intestinal infection, some of them went home without completing the course.

The most interesting thing is that all the patients were of Indian nationality.

We all ate simple Indian vegetarian food from the common cauldron. Everything was very tasty for me. I noticed that, despite the abrupt change in nutrition, it was not that my stool had not changed, there were not even the slightest symptoms of food aversion, such as belching, heartburn, or heaviness in the stomach.

On the last day, I shared my delight with other course participants about food. Indian women did not share my enthusiasm: some were not tasty at all, others were even too spicy. They were just on the list of victims. Many more such examples could be cited.

It was the same with living things. Those who were afraid saw snakes, scorpions and spiders everywhere. I, to my regret, went home without ever seeing a snake, although I was close to the goal. In the meditation center, the girls in the bushes saw a cobra, when I approached them with enthusiasm, the snake had already crawled away. Sadhana Forest had the same story with some other snake in the bushes.

A week before I left, I learned that a whole family of large scorpions had been sitting under a barrel near Chef Sadana Forest's bungalow since morning. I ran for my phone hoping to take a couple of pictures. But even here I was not lucky - at the time of my return there was only a lone scorpio baby, half the size of a matchbox.

There is only one conclusion: if you are terribly afraid of snakes, spiders and other living creatures, if disgust is inherent in you, then you better not go to India, otherwise all your attention will be focused on this. And if you still have a desire to go there, then it's time to work on your fears in advance.

VC: I fully share your opinion. It was remarkably said by Pelevin in "Chapaev and Emptiness": ... fear always attracts exactly what you are afraid of. And if you are not afraid of anything, you become invisible. The best disguise is indifference. If you are truly indifferent, none of those who can harm you will simply remember and think about you.

If we are talking about the spiritual, tell us about this 10-day meditation. What was it for you - a test or something else?

St: In a way, it was a test, although I was sure in advance that I could pass it to the end. This simple technique called Vipassana has been benefiting people all over the world for many years. There are centers in many countries, the nearest to us are Finland, Latvia and Lithuania.

The purpose of meditation is a deep cleansing of the mind from negative thoughts, programs, fears, freeing the body from physical blocks and clamps.
As its creator himself says, she is outside of religions, people of different faiths, atheists, people who abuse alcohol and drugs, or just those who want to free their minds from restless thoughts can try it on themselves.

The course itself is free. After the end of the course, donations are accepted, the amount is optional.

To get on the course, you first need to familiarize yourself with an impressive list of rules that, at first glance, can confuse a simple layman.

Some of them:
- throughout the course, it is imperative to remain silent, it is not even allowed to use sign language, write notes to each other (every day at a specially allotted time, you can ask questions to teachers);
- it is forbidden to use mobile phone, personal computer, make any notes, listen to music or read books;
– at the time of the course, it is forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol and bring your own food with you (the center provides 3 meals a day vegetarian food) and many other rules.
Wake up at 4 am, hang up at 9.30 pm. In between, about 10 hours of meditation per day, sitting on the floor on a pillow with a straight back.

VC: Cool, I, as a lover of masochism in the form of cycling marathons, are already interested! 🙂

St: I had the feeling that I was in some kind of monastery. Silence, no phone, no internet, no pen, no notepad, no one to share your experience with, discuss the weather or complain about back pain. People surround you, but you can't talk to them. Everyone works with himself, plunges into his own world, lives his own pain.

The meditation itself is simple. At the initial preparatory stage, students observe their breathing for about four days. At the same time, attention becomes sharp and concentrated.

After that, vipassana itself begins - with this sharp, laser-like attention, students go through all parts of the body, from the top of the head to the toes, observing the sensations on its surface. At the same time, it is important to simply observe, without assessing pleasant and unpleasant sensations.

I will say that there were many sensations. If the first day seemed easy to me, not counting the chants of Goenka (I’ll tell you separately later), then on the second day my back began to ache wildly, there was a shooting pain in my knees.

The mind was constantly broadcasting something: for some reason, Talkov sang songs (“you migrant looking for happiness along the way ....». Probably about me 🙂, then he argued with someone.

Memories flashed through my mind, some of them not very pleasant. This went on for several days. Over time, the mind calmed down more and more, what is most interesting, the pain in the body went away, lightness and pleasant murmurs (energy flow) appeared in the body.

Goenka's chants are a separate issue. Each morning meditation ended with a 30-minute, forgive me Goenka, bleating, it was difficult to call it in another way. I already considered myself a tolerant person, and here is a direct provocation.

Just as in that film “the torture with oranges lasted for the third hour”, so here, we were tortured with Goenka's songs. Why am I telling us? As it turned out, at first, to put it mildly, it was unpleasant for everyone to listen to this.

"What the hell am I doing here?" - one of the most memorable reactions of a familiar fighter who completed the course. To be honest, this was the only situation of my rejection in India.

In the evenings, we were shown recordings of Goenka's conversations, where he explained the intricacies of technology, warned of upcoming difficulties, told interesting stories and shared his wisdom.

After you see this charming, sincere, kind and wise person (by the way, with a wonderful sense of humor) on the screen, you perceive his songs in a completely different way.

Somewhere on the third already completely gone irritation. Then I even found pleasant and melodic moments for myself. On the last day, many even bought a CD with the recording. 🙂

In general, I will say that there are definitely benefits from meditation. In addition to the fact that my mind became even calmer and more balanced, I managed to get rid of the pain in the middle of my back (she often bothered me before, especially when cooking or washing dishes).

Some deep fears are gone. Subsequently, I even decided to learn how to drive a moped, although for some reason I used to be terribly afraid of fast two-wheeled transport.

VC: Is it worth hoping that you will someday change your mind about the bike too? 🙂

St: Quite possible. I'm already on my way to it. Moreover, we have created all the conditions for cyclists in Estonia.

VC: Well, now I'm calm. Where did you go after meditation?

St: After Vipassana, my course lay in the city of Auroville (150 km from Chennai to the south). Initially, I planned to spend one night there in a guesthouse and go to Sadhana Forest in the morning (volunteers are accepted there on certain days until 12.00).

The last day of meditation was significant. I met a Frenchwoman, Mary, who was also going to Auroville after Vipassana, and Greta (Spanish-Swedish), who came from Auroville for meditation.

It was a pleasant surprise and I found a wonderful company. Greta gave us tons of tips and advice.

The next day at 7 am after breakfast, we all had to leave the center. Mary and I gathered our things, mapped out the route to the bus station and were almost ready to leave the center, when a nice Indian woman approached us and offered to take us all the way to Auroville.

She was followed by two brothers in a large, air-conditioned jeep, loaded our things, and drove us comfortably to Auroville. On the way, we stopped at a local restaurant for a bite to eat, where Mary and I were not even allowed to pay for ourselves.

“You are our guests and we are very pleased,” said one of the brothers. They said goodbye to us like old, good friends. It is an indescribable feeling when a couple of hours of communication with strangers leave such warm and bright memories.

Some miracles happened after Vipassana. One of the miracles was Mary herself. We stayed in Auroville in one guesthouse room and spent 5 days in the city. During my time with her, she told me so much amazing stories that sometimes the hair on my head moved.

I realized that miracles and pleasant surprises have been happening to her for 4 years now, and if at first she was very surprised by this, now it has become the norm in her life.

At the age of 26, she alone has already managed to travel half the world. I learned on the journey English language, made new friends, some of whom invite her to New York, with the provision of free apartments in Manhattan overlooking Central Park.

Mary told how several times in her life, being in the evening in dangerous places(in Argentina and somewhere else), dogs surrounded her and guarded her from passers-by with loud barking.

Or how the wave of the ocean swallowed up her clothes, after she just thought it was time to change them for new ones. For new purchases, too, surprisingly, there was money.

There were many, many interesting stories. If she finally decides to write a book, it will undoubtedly be a bestseller.
After meeting with her, I was finally convinced of the power of positive thinking. Mary definitely charged me with even more optimism, courage and determination.

In Auroville, the most powerful experience was visiting the Matrimandir (meditation room). If it weren’t for Greta, with her picturesque story, we probably wouldn’t have gathered there, because in order to get there, you need to get a pass in advance, free of charge by the way.

The building itself looks like a large spaceship from the outside. At the entrance, visitors leave their shoes, put on snow-white socks and begin a slow ascent up a huge spiral staircase without steps, covered with a soft white carpet.

This is where Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven comes to mind. It really does feel like you're ascending to heaven.

After climbing you find yourself in a huge white hall of 12-coal shape with 12 columns. In the middle of the hall there is a spherical crystal (d = 70 cm), on which a single ray of the sun falls from the very top of the dome and thus illuminates the space.

People sit around the perimeter of the hall on snow-white pillows facing the crystal, in which everyone sees themselves in an inverted image. I even shed a tear. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Feeling of some kind of touch to holiness, purity, harmony. The world around seems to freeze.

On this beautiful and bright note, I continued my journey. At this stage, we said goodbye to Mary, everyone had their own plans. My path lay in Sadhana Forest.

At the time of my arrival in the commune, there were about 50 people there (out of season, usually the number of people is two or three times more), of which 12 were children. Volunteers of various ages different countries World: USA, Canada, Colombia, India, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Korea and even Japan.

People are incredibly interesting. All different professions: musicians, sound engineers, documentarians and fighters against corruption, environmentalists, journalists, DJs, doctors, nurses, etc.

The original goal of the project is to restore rainforest on heavily eroded land in the vicinity of Auroville. The project itself has been successfully flourishing for about 10 years.

In 2010, the founders opened a similar project in Haiti, just after the earthquake. At the moment, it is planned to open another project in Kenya.

The commune adheres to a lifestyle that does not harm the environment: instead of the usual body care chemicals, they use ecological soap and dry herbal shampoo; dishes are washed with coconut fibers and ash (fibers remain after eating coconuts, and ash after cooking in stone ovens); vinegar and iodine are used as disinfectants.

Electricity comes from solar panels and is very economical.

To take a shower or wash clothes, you need to practice with a hand pump, and then drag buckets to the shower and laundry room. This is very motivating to conserve water. 🙂

Single topic- food. The commune is vegan. This is not only the rejection of meat and fish, but of any other animal products. Despite this, the food is very tasty and varied.

At this point in the story, many listeners usually experience internal indignation.

I will tell about myself. This was my first vegan experience. In ordinary life, I do not eat only meat, other animal products such as milk, butter, fish, honey are actively included in my diet. I was wondering how I would feel on such a "hard diet".
The food was digested quite easily and quickly, I ate almost for two. You won't go hungry there, you can always get a supplement.

VC: I agree with you, even I, a kebab lover, liked Indian vegetarian food. 🙂

SV: The children were also delighted. 🙂

Yes, and what is most interesting, despite the heat, physical labor and dragging buckets, I literally flew. There was so much energy in my body that it was sometimes difficult to fall asleep in the evening.

Volunteers who have been living there for more than a year said that someone even got rid of eczema and cured allergies.

By the way, there are no refrigerators in the commune, and all vegetables and fruits are purchased from a local ecological farm. The diet also includes legumes, raw rice, various cereals.

A separate topic that I was particularly interested in was human waste.

As it turns out, nothing goes to waste. Going to the toilet is an art! 🙂 Separate container for liquid and solid waste. If the liquid ones are simply filled with water, then the solid waste is covered with 2-3 cups of sawdust.

All residents of Sadhana Forest live in bungalows. For couples and volunteers who come for a long time, a separate forest house is allocated.

I spent the night in a shared bungalow on the ground floor, only 60 centimeters from the ground, on which, I believe, boiled at night active life. You fall asleep to the sounds of nature: grasshoppers chirp in the grass, small chipmunks run along the inside of the roof, gently fingering with soft paws.

When you go to the toilet at night, a sleepy frog (so under 200 grams) can accidentally crash into your leg, and a flying mouse can hurt with its wing.
In general, romance!

The morning begins with a pleasant awakening to the sound of a guitar or a song, no alarm clock. After morning procedures, everyone gathers in a circle for exercises, a game or a song.

There are many varieties of work, you can always choose something to your taste, or if time allows you to have time to work in all places.
After the first shift break for breakfast. After breakfast, the second shift begins, which ends with lunch.

Each shift is 2.5 hours of work. Only five hours of work per day, except Saturday and Sunday, plus 2 additional shifts per week.
After one in the afternoon, if you do not have an extra shift, you are already free.

In your free time, you don't have to be bored. You can sleep, read a book, surf the Internet, swim in the local mud pond, refresh yourself in a cool pool, go to a neighboring village for tea, or to the city of Pondicherry to watch another Bollywood masterpiece without English subtitles (the most interesting thing is that everything is clear and without translation and a lot of fun too).

In neighboring Auroville, free films with English subtitles are shown in the evenings.

At Sadhana Forest, volunteers often share their abilities with others. Workshops are organized where they teach yoga, belly dancing, capoeira, pottery, etc.

Every Wednesday evening in the commune of Open Stage, which is translated from English as an open stage. It is usually very interesting and fun. Lots of improvisations, songs, games, acrobatic performances….

Life is in full swing! New acquaintances almost every day interesting events, warm and sincere conversations, joy and fun. There are not enough words to convey the atmosphere and energy of this place.

There are many guests in Sadhana Forest. Every Friday from neighboring Auroville comes large group people who are given a tour of Sadhana Forest are told about the life of the commune, about its goals and values. Then they show an eco-film, and after it they serve dinner. And all this is free.
Neighboring schools and orphanages also come. Sometimes they even stay for a few days to live in a commune.

VC: You talk so well that I even wanted to try ...

And by the way, on what means does the commune exist?

St: Sadhana Forest is a non-profit project that does not generate income. Upon arrival, volunteers pay for their own meals for the duration of their stay in the commune.

I paid 70 Euros for 3 weeks of staying there, which is about 120 Euros per month. By the standards of India, this is a lot of money. I believe that part of them goes to the purchase of products, the rest for technical needs, as well as for the development of other projects. Donations are also accepted.

Volunteers who come there for a long time live there for free.

VC: Remember, we have said more than once that the most important thing in a journey is to catch your wave, a positive flow. Happened?

St: How did it happen! The positivity skyrocketed. It was some kind of explosion of happiness, freedom, jubilation. Every day, in its own way, pleasantly surprised. In the evenings, however, it was difficult to fall asleep, overwhelmed with emotions. It seemed that we had known each other for many, many years. Everyone was surprised by this. The spirit of joy, harmony and comfort literally soared in the air. Happiness overwhelmed everyone!

I understood for myself why my soul was so eager to go to India. There, in addition to everything, a real miracle happened on the day of my departure (but history is silent about this 🙂).

VC: How much money do you need per day in India to travel using public transport?

St: India is still very cheap country. And the farther you are from tourist centers, the lower the prices, respectively. Here are some of them:
A room in a decent guesthouse: 6.13 Euro per night / single, 11.42 Euro / double.

Moped rental: 0.71 Euro per day, gasoline for it: 0.95 Euro per liter.

Food: in a restaurant for locals you can have a hearty meal for 0.50 Euros (without drinks), in more expensive places dinner will cost 2-3 Euros (with juice or tea, even ice cream will come here). I'm talking about vegetarian food, which in India is very satisfying and nutritious.

On the street you can have a quick bite: drink a couple of cups of tea (it is very tasty there) and eat a couple of samosas (samosa is a fried pie with vegetables) for only 0.26 Euros.

Public transport tickets:
In Chennai, travel to local bus around the city will cost about 0.15 Euro.
Traveling in a comfortable air-conditioned bus from Chennai to Pondicherry (150 km) cost me 2.14 Euros.

Taxi or auto rickshaw fare from Sadhana Forest to nearby town Auroville (about 8 km), we paid about 3 Euros for everyone. Usually we gathered a company and divided the amount equally. But most often they went on mopeds, which is much more profitable.

The flight itself to Delhi from Tallinn and back cost me 515 Euros (I flew with Finnair, very comfortable). Plus 140 Euros for a flight from Delhi to Chennai and back (2,186 km one way). I bought a ticket in that direction for 60 Euros, back already for 80, but I think it can be cheaper if you buy in advance.

VC: Do you think it's possible to use free accommodation services like Couchsurfing?

St: I myself only recently learned about this system. Heard good things about it from travelers in India. I think this is a great opportunity for a budget holiday.

VC: Are you going to continue traveling? What are the plans?

St: Certainly! There are so many interesting places in the world that you want to visit. At the moment, desire number one is to visit South America: Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador.

VC: I believe that the road must be difficult to enter into your memories forever. Is there room in your travels for challenges, trials, hardships? Or should everything be smooth and comfortable?

St: There is, of course, a place for challenge and testing; without them, travel would not be so bright. I judge by myself: the more difficulties and fears I overcome, the stronger I become, respectively, it is easier for me to go through life later. And life is not always smooth and comfortable, it is important our perception and attitude towards it.

VK: From myself, I can only say that you are on the right path in my understanding, I wish you success in everything you dream of. It was very interesting to hear about your adventures, especially since they are very different from the usual “trip to Thailand”. 🙂

For those who are not in the know, there are two pieces of news: good and bad.

1. Citizens of the Russian Federation must obtain a visa.
2. It sets up very quickly.

It is quite legal when a person applies for permission to enter the country via the Internet, and the visa itself is stamped in the passport upon arrival.

Is it possible to enter the country without it?

By general rule, this cannot be done. But there is one exception: V Goa you can enter with a temporary permit, which is valid for no more than 15 days. Design features are:

1. Only tour operators have the right to obtain a permit.
2. There must be at least 14 people in the group of travelers.

Upon arrival, foreigners hand over their passports to the migration authorities.

In general, it is not known which is better: quickly get tourist visa or declare to the tour operator about the desire to obtain such a permit. Too many rules

• you need to wait for the group to set up;
• will have to give the passport to the representatives government agencies foreign country.

It's better to spend some time studying the issue, loading required documents to the official website of the competent authorities and obtain a tourist visa for a fairly long period.

However, the type of entry permit mentioned is not the only one. It makes sense to consider all possible types of visas to India.

What types are there?

Can be distinguished:

• Tourist.
• Working.
• Educational.
• Business visa.
• transit.

Here we also include electronic, although, strictly speaking, it does not apply to the above classification. All permit names reflect the purpose of the visit to the country. And electronic is a way to get a visa.

Tourist

This visa can be obtained for up to 30 days. It can be issued by a tourist who stays outside the territory of India in one of the following ways:

The document cannot be extended. This is quite understandable. The above period is quite enough for a tourist to see all the main sights of the country. Exception: cases when a person needed medical assistance, he, for health reasons, cannot leave for his homeland.

Attention: The visa becomes valid immediately after it is issued. That is, it is advisable to deal with paperwork shortly before the scheduled date of departure.

In some cases, there are chances to get a visa to India for a few months. But a lot will decide what it is:

• single;
• double;
• or multivisa.

As you might guess, the documents give the right to a different number of entries into the country. To obtain a permit, you will need the following documents.

1. Passport with at least two blank pages.
2. A copy of this page of the same document, where the owner's personal data is available.
3. A copy of the main pages of the internal identity document.
4. A completed application form in English (downloaded on the official website of the embassy).
5. Two photographs: 3.5 by 4 cm.

Particular attention is paid to where a person will live in the country. Embassy staff should see:

• travel company voucher;
• round-trip plane tickets, hotel reservations;
• an invitation from a resident of the country.

Indians know how and love to make money on tourism, so there are no barriers to entry for foreigners. For example, a tourist will not need a certificate of his income. If you look at it, then few people want to stay in the country for good - there are too specific orders.

Working

Everything is a little more complicated here. As the name implies, it is issued to those who wish to work in the country. Wherein The requirements for the candidate are quite serious:

The employer is required to:

1. For his company to be truly Indian and not foreign.
2. So that the employee receives at least 20 thousand dollars a year.

They will refuse to invite an employee if they plan to take him to a position that citizens of the country who are unemployed can take.

The following papers are added to the standard set of documents:

• an employment agreement concluded between the parties;
• the employer's petition containing the rationale for the need to attract a foreign worker;
• documents confirming the fact that the company is operating;
• copies of documents on education and papers indicating the presence of the necessary skills.

The policy of the state in this direction is understandable: if a foreigner is involved in labor activity in the country, then this must be a real professional, who, in turn, must receive good money. Otherwise, the visa application should be refused, and let the company hire local residents.

Educational

It is issued, as the name implies, to individuals who want to get an education in the country. The following important conditions apply:

1. A foreigner cannot take a budget seat. From the point of view of national policy, it is fair: it is better to educate your citizen for free.
2. For the first year of study, you need to pay a lump sum payment in full.
3. The student must have $1,000 or more in his account. There is no such requirement for tourists and workers. It is understandable: the first - having seen all the most interesting, will quickly leave, the second - will earn their living. Students are a different matter. They are not paid for their studies. Vice versa. Working and studying is difficult. Therefore, if a foreigner decides to get an Indian education, then he must prove that he will not starve to death.

The following papers are added to the standard package of documents:

• a letter stating that a foreigner has the right to study at a particular university;
• a certificate stating that at least one year of study has already been paid;
• a certificate informing about the amount of funds he has in the account.

Business

A business visa is issued in cases where a foreigner needs:

The reason for the need to obtain an entry permit is studied in detail by representatives of the embassy and, accordingly, they make one of the decisions: to authorize or refuse entry.

You will need the following papers:

1. If there is a question about some kind of interaction with Indian companies, then two letters of petition should be sent to the embassy: from a Russian company and one that operates in an Asian state.
2. If a person is engaged in entrepreneurial activity, then he needs to submit documents to the competent authorities proving this.

It appears that it is not very difficult to obtain a business visa if the need to arrive in the country really exists.

Transit

It is necessary if the traveler's route lies through India. To issue a permit to stay in the country for 72 hours, you must present:

• air tickets;
• other documents confirming the implementation of transit.

For example, sailors have to collect the following papers: a letter from an agent of one of the states, a certificate indicating the position of a person on a ship, and the like.

Electronic

Again, as the name implies, it is issued via the Internet. Bye, V in electronic format You can only apply for a tourist visa, which will be issued for up to 30 days. No renewal rights have been established. But you can, within 12 months, get the document again.

Attention: the issue of issuing an electronic business visa is under consideration.

To obtain an electronic entry permit, you must:

The issue is usually considered within 3 days. But it is better to send documents in advance. Further, the applicant receives an appropriate permit by e-mail, which must be printed out and taken with you on a trip.

Are children required to travel?

Many people dream of going to India on their own, but not everyone knows how to make it a reality. But you are lucky, you yourself will be able to visit this multifaceted country, see how the Indians live, enjoy the beautiful landscapes, understand the national flavor a little, but you can just relax here just fine.

Independent travel to India can be quite inexpensive, compared to the offers of travel agencies, and positive emotions And interesting acquaintances this type of vacation will bring many times more. In addition, "package tours" do not offer anything new, all their ideas are worn out to holes: lie on the beach, visit one or two attractions, go to the most expensive market. Recreation "one's own boss" gives a lot more freedom of action, this is a real adventure that will be remembered for a lifetime.

The territory of India is huge, each part is different. climatic conditions, infrastructure development, population density. An important fact is that access to foreigners is limited in some states of the country; in order to get into them, you need to obtain additional permits. But even without these places there is where to go and what to see. For example, the most popular state among travelers and tourists, it is best suited for a “European” type of vacation, there is a huge amount of entertainment, hotels, beaches; in Goa have long been accustomed to foreigners (after all, it is also former colony Portugal) and their mannerisms and customs, here no one will pay much attention to short shorts and bikinis, unlike residents of other states, clothes that cover most of the body are held in high esteem. But in order to see the "real" India, with all its wealth and beauty, you just need to go to other states of the country. And now to the specifics of how to organize your own trip.

Flights

The fastest and most comfortable way to get to India is by plane. Of course, you can go by car or go by train, but this is for real daredevils who have a lot of free time and iron nerves. Who has a short vacation, this is not at all suitable. Therefore, it is better to fly, and not to go.

There are a lot of flights to India. Most of them depart from Moscow and St. Petersburg (for Russia), Kiev and Lvov (for Ukraine), Minsk (for Belarus), but there are flights to India from some large provincial cities, there are just not so many of them. Tickets to India cost from 300 € (flights with transfers, round trip), but, as a rule, cheap flights involve a longer flight. If you want to get to your holiday destination quickly, then fly with a direct flight, ticket prices start at 330 €.

It is most profitable to buy tickets to India on the website. This is a search engine that finds and compares tickets different airlines and offers to purchase the most profitable of them. Thanks to him, you will save a huge amount of time, and money too. It will take only a few minutes to get the coveted ticket.

Airfare low price calendar

Check airfare prices:

Housing

Hotels in India most often do not differ in luxury, although there are exceptions. To find the right hotel for you, you need to search for it on. Thanks to an advanced search with many criteria, you will quickly and easily select the right option. A description has been added to each hotel, a list of what is in the room, and most importantly, there is true reviews, written by tourists and travelers who have already lived in this place. This service saved a lot of money and nerves. all the accommodations I booked through Roomguru were of good quality and matched the description.

If you have questions regarding the booking process itself, then read, thanks to which you can book accommodation yourself in any country in the world, including India.

There is still an opportunity to rent an apartment or a house, but this is an amateur business. There are both pros and cons to this way of living in a foreign country, with the cons for most travelers outweighing the pros. But if you are still not afraid of the difficulties that often arise if you rent a house from a private owner in another country, then you can read what it says about renting a house abroad.

find inexpensive hotel from Roomguru right now:

Documentation

To travel in India, you will need a visa and a passport, it is desirable (but not necessary) to apply, it can save you several tens of thousands of dollars in case of health problems. If you go to India without insurance, and something happens already on the spot, then you will have to pay exorbitant prices for treatment, so it’s better to buy insurance yourself, besides, it costs very little.

You can apply for a visa as in Indian visa center(there are such in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Vladivostok), and via the Internet. Usually, the term for consideration of the application is 4 days. You will have to pay $60 for a visa.

Here is the list of documents required for obtaining a visa:

• Passport valid for more than 6 months at the time of visa application
• A completed application form
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Copy of round-trip air tickets
• Copy of internal passport

You can find up-to-date information on the website of the Embassy of India.

Attractions

There are a lot of attractions in India. Let's not forget that this is a huge country with a rich history. In order to make a route for visiting attractions, you must first decide in which part of India you are going to relax. Where to go and what to see you will always find. I will list only the most popular places for travelers:

• Taj Mahal
• Bollywood
• Fort Aguada
• Mahabodhi temple
• Stupa in Sanchi
• Delhi National Museum
• Humpy
• Qutub Minar
• Dudhsagar

Getting to attractions in different parts of the country is convenient by car. A trip from one part of India to another will take several days, but the experience will be huge. You can rent a car at.

If the budget of the trip allows, then you can use the services of domestic air carriers. The cheapest thing will be to fly somewhere on a low-cost airline ( budget airline), of which there are many in India.

Travel cost

An independent holiday in India can cost both 700 € and 70,000 €. It all depends on you, as you wish, so be it. This is what makes travel "one's own boss" good, you decide what is better to spend money on, where to fly and what to do. Let me give you an example of spending on an average vacation for two people (10 days, departure from Moscow, Goa resort):

• Round-trip airfare = 900 €
• Hotel accommodation 3* = 500 €
• Food = 200 €
• Transport = 50 €
• Attractions = 50 €
• Purchases = 250 €
• Visa = 60 €
• Insurance = 20 €

Final price: 1980 €. You can relax in India and much cheaper. And someone prefers not to refuse anything and spends many times more. If you want to visit India for little money, then read the guide, which says how to travel around the world cheaply, these tips and recommendations also apply to India. Budget travel is a reality.

How to save money on travel

How to inexpensively relax on your own in India and not lose in comfort - that's what this section is about. Knowing some of the features of a budget vacation in a savage, you can significantly reduce your costs.

You have learned how to relax in India on your own. Put the acquired knowledge into practice, book a hotel and purchase air tickets right now. Best wishes to you!

You have long dreamed of going to India, the land of dreams, fairy tales and legends. You are not afraid of the terrible stories of others that it is dirty there, there are many poor people and you can get very sick. Then this enchanting country is waiting for you! Of course, it requires special attention and preparation, it has its own laws, culture and traditions, which must be observed. This region can be endowed with a variety of epithets ad infinitum, but no matter what dreams and desires lead you there, a few tips will never hurt.

1. Choose the best time to travel to India

India is beautiful at any time of the year. It is considered that the most right time for recreation, this is the period from October to March. However, if you choose the highlands of the country, then the summer months are also great.

2. Advance ticket purchase

If you have not yet managed to purchase the treasured pieces of paper, then this can be done without leaving your own sofa. Today, many sites specialize in finding the best deals for all airlines at once. In addition, you can independently determine convenient departure dates and find tickets with a big discount. Moreover, air carriers regularly arrange various promotions and discounts. It is also worth taking care of housing in advance. in advance, and your vacation will not be overshadowed by anything.

3. Vaccinations against diseases

Do not panic, you can do just fine without vaccinations, observing simple rules hygiene. Remember to wash your hands, fruits and vegetables. You should not immediately eat what you bought from street vendors if the product has not been cooked. Also, do not drink water from the tap and other sources, it is better to buy bottled water. To get used to the local food a little, you can dine at first in restaurants of European cuisine.

4. Travel India on your own

As soon as you get used to it a little, you can safely leave the crowd of tourists and go on a solo voyage. India is a country that does not tolerate templates and clichés. She is ready to reveal to everyone something of her own, personal, unknown to anyone.

5. The aroma of India is unique!

No matter how you prepare yourself for smells, at first they will follow you everywhere. The smell of garbage dumps is closely intertwined with the aromas of spices and incense, forcing you to constantly wrinkle your nose. No need to worry, very soon you will learn not to notice stench and will be able to feel only the fragrance of flowers and aromatic resins.

6. Incredible number of people

India is home to a billion people, from constant pandemonium ripples in the eyes and dizzy. In such an environment, you get tired very quickly, so change your place of stay more often, go to the countryside, mountains or forest.

7. Communication and language

Do not worry about the fact that you do not know Hindi, here everyone knows English. If you have difficulties with this language, then sign language will help you. Most importantly, smile and be polite and the Indians will always help.

8. Photo for memory

There is a belief among Indians that a photo with a European brings good luck. Feel free to take pictures with local residents when they ask you to.

9. Indian Bazaars

Do you want to feel the whole flavor of this country and its inhabitants? Then the famous Indian bazaars are what you need. Delhi's Chandni Chowk market is ideal, but small bazaars are also not inferior in their colorfulness and originality. Here it is necessary to bargain, as a rule, prices are already inflated by almost 10 times! Try not to leave all your money there on the first day, believe me, it is quite possible.

10. Be careful of beggars and beggars

Often, they gather together, as soon as you sacrifice one, you will immediately be surrounded by a whole pack of beggars.

11. Don't forget there are a lot of monkeys in India

There are a lot of them here, they even build temples for them, but you should not relax if you do not want to lose your things. There are Indians who specifically train monkeys to steal expensive equipment from tourists. Always be on the lookout!

12. Capture beauty

India is permeated through and through with mystery, beauty and amazing things. At every step, you can safely press the camera button, you will not make a mistake with the frame. Most importantly, be patient for subsequent analysis of your photos.

13. Forget about the guide

No one standard route cannot replace your own desires and observations.

14. Don't try to see all of India in one day.

In an effort to gallop across India in a few days, to see and taste everything, you are more likely to bite off a piece of everything, but you will not feel the taste. The country is incredible and you will not be able to go around it even in a couple of months. Explore all the most interesting places, make up your route, or rather, forget all the schemes and just trust your feelings and desires.

Do not believe anyone's stories, advice and feelings. Let India show itself from all sides and then you can draw your own conclusions!

And may your trip to India be wonderful with!