for girls that travelled alone - ever go to india and live?

a poll:

i know there are girls out there that travel alone at some point in time. so for you (girls) that did - did you go to india and live?

with the way the last few years have been, i will find someone i know to come with me to asia in roughly another ten years. by then, i should be married, have a child and a half, and perhaps even a dog or a cat. maybe a house. steady job. neighbours and barbeques! alright, i'm pushing it, but you get the picture. i'm going there november 08 (long story ended very shortly). since i let loose this ("psychotic!") plan of mine, i've been told that i am going to get raped and die. i'm already aware of some of the dangers (i know)...but being told my foreseen death three times a day does take toll on you, after several months.

i'm wondering who went there alone? any thoughts, comments, etc? anything that comes from people that ACTUALLY went there - not like the ones i talked to, that are barricaded in their living rooms for safety from the rest of the world.

please help? i value your opinions or advice quite a bit!

thanks,

kat

Hi Katarina,
I would not recommend this holy journey of yours unless, you are only visiting known tourist attractions that too with guided support.
India is seriously not a safe place for this.
Go with some people or contact travel agencies to get more out of your journey.
Sorry for moral busting,
Rahul

India is at least as safe or safer than many western countries. As long as you use some good old common sense, and don't actively go looking for trouble, you're safe! Or at least as safe as you would be in your own country.

While you do not need to fear physical harm, you should be alert and aware of your surroundings. In most touristy places in India, you'll come across many, many touts, beggars, pimps and small-time con-artists. They are not out to rape or murder you, but they definitely want to make some money. So be careful while dealing with people who promise to get you a "good, cheap hotel room" or offer you a ride in their taxi-cab or people who offer to sell you some rubbish little trinket for an outrageous price.

Apart from that, you have little or nothing to fear. Come, enjoy the country, the culture, the heritage and very often, the sheer hospitality of our people. You'll probably come back for more, I promise you! :-)

Sameer Kumar

p.s.: In case you were wondering, no, I don't work for the Indian Tourism Promotion department. I'm just a motorcyclist ([snip]) and a small-time journalist.... :-)

[ Edit: No promos allowed. URL removed. ]

Hello Katrina,

How crazy!! India is not a country as bad as it has been made out to be. We have a very dominating strong media which instantly flashes news sometimes working out negatively for some.
Be rest assured - I have myself have had girls travelling alone stay with me, from places like Japan, China and other third world countries where they are more submissive and scared.

If you want to exchange notes from them I will be happy to give you their email adresses.
Where are you arriving into, if Delhi you can stay with me - a lady run place bed & breakfast - do get in touch!!

Quoting Rahulsingh

Hi Katarina,
I would not recommend this holy journey of yours unless, you are only visiting known tourist attractions that too with guided support.
India is seriously not a safe place for this.
Go with some people or contact travel agencies to get more out of your journey.
Sorry for moral busting,
Rahul

hi Rahul,

i only ask that people tell me their experiences - so thank you! i know the dangers...but if i don't go, i'll regret it. far more than not seeing pretty sights. the human mind is a really messed up place!

i will remember, though. thanks.

Quoting battleaxe

India is at least as safe or safer than many western countries. As long as you use some good old common sense, and don't actively go looking for trouble, you're safe! Or at least as safe as you would be in your own country.

While you do not need to fear physical harm, you should be alert and aware of your surroundings. In most touristy places in India, you'll come across many, many touts, beggars, pimps and small-time con-artists. They are not out to rape or murder you, but they definitely want to make some money. So be careful while dealing with people who promise to get you a "good, cheap hotel room" or offer you a ride in their taxi-cab or people who offer to sell you some rubbish little trinket for an outrageous price.

Apart from that, you have little or nothing to fear. Come, enjoy the country, the culture, the heritage and very often, the sheer hospitality of our people. You'll probably come back for more, I promise you! :-)

Sameer Kumar

p.s.: In case you were wondering, no, I don't work for the Indian Tourism Promotion department. I'm just a motorcyclist ([snip]) and a small-time journalist.... :-)

Sameer -

Thank you! i'll remember your advice - to use common sense and don't talk to strangers...i've always been pretty good in that respect. i've had nearly two years of night shifts (that's tv for you) - you start growing eyes at the back of your head after a while.

and no problem, haha. even if you worked for the tourism promotion department, i still agree with common sense.

Quoting mayaroy

Hello Katrina,

How crazy!! India is not a country as bad as it has been made out to be. We have a very dominating strong media which instantly flashes news sometimes working out negatively for some.
Be rest assured - I have myself have had girls travelling alone stay with me, from places like Japan, China and other third world countries where they are more submissive and scared.

If you want to exchange notes from them I will be happy to give you their email adresses.
Where are you arriving into, if Delhi you can stay with me - a lady run place bed & breakfast - do get in touch!!

yes, media does tend to exagerate sometimes! i know what you're saying. i'm not sure where i'm arriving, since this is in a years' time. my trip begins elsewhere, and india is the second part of it, due to certain occurances. if you tell me the name of your bed&breakfast, i may be able to look it up once i get there.

thank you!!

Just follow some basic rules and you would be safe:

Travel by Train if you have to travel in the night.
Dont befriend strangers on train and take advise from families travelling together.
Stay in safe places and avoid low cost hotels where shady characters abound.
YMCA and YWCA hostels as well as Govt run lodging are far safer.
Always travel to known travel places and avoid places where you cant find a soul
Avoid skimpy clothes and wear glasses to look mature.

Above all, plan your trip in detail and avoid last minute decisions.

Iam sure you will be safer with so many advisers. Believe me, lot of single
girls do travel alone but they organise themselves very well.

Welcome to India!

Quoting Shrinagesh

Just follow some basic rules and you would be safe:

Travel by Train if you have to travel in the night.
Dont befriend strangers on train and take advise from families travelling together.
Stay in safe places and avoid low cost hotels where shady characters abound.
YMCA and YWCA hostels as well as Govt run lodging are far safer.
Always travel to known travel places and avoid places where you cant find a soul
Avoid skimpy clothes and wear glasses to look mature.

Above all, plan your trip in detail and avoid last minute decisions.

Iam sure you will be safer with so many advisers. Believe me, lot of single
girls do travel alone but they organise themselves very well.

Welcome to India!

agh! the most difficult of the advice you gave me - are the sunglasses! i always end up killing them! haha...i think i'll have to practice during the summer..haha.

for a moment i misread one sentence and thought you said NOT to take advice from families travelling together - but re-reading helps; i'll definitely do that. though i'm very detailed, most of my plans are fairly loose, to allow 'elbow room', more or less. mind you, i always have backups for anything i plan out for every step of the way, and i always know my goal.

it definitely helps to get advice from people who are more knowledgable in that area.

thank you!!!!

hi!

i am a women who was travelling alone for 4 months in india (and with my boyfriend another 2 months). and as you can see, i am still alive! :-)) my experiences: 1. india is quiet safe as long as you use your common sense, even travelling alone. indian men are not dangerous, they are just idiots. they dont accept women as an equal human beiing to the men and they let you feel it all the time. it can happen that they tell you women are not more worth than the dirt on the street. 2. indian men think you are in india for having sex with them. therefore you will receive many offers. my favourite: "do you want to make love with your mouth? i'll give you 30rs...". in buses and crowds they will try and do touch you. dont be shy, hit them and shout at them. this is the only language they understand. anyway, dont be too polite, you have to fight your way through india. 3. appropriate clothing (long skirts, long pants, never ever show your shoulders or knees) helps a bit. but if you wear a short skirt or a top you will loose evey respect within seconds.
i know this sounds horrible and i have to admit that i wont go back as long as indian men are living in this country. BUT, it was my dream as well. i waited almost 10 years before i could visit this country. the landscape is breathtaking, the smells unbelievable, the colours stunning. india is an extreme in every direction and definitely worth a visit. so go to india. open your eyes, ears and nose and feel it. you will hate and love india... dont worry. nothing will happen as long as you are prepared with the worst! and you will find other travellers all over the country. if you want you can always travel with someone. have fun!

angela