Visiting India - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Pinner · 10-31-2010, 06:53 AM

No thanks, warning: graphic pictures.

Quote:

India is the dirtiest country I have ever been to. I have heard people say that Pakistan, which is to the west and Bangladesh, to the east, are worse, but that is probably beyond the limits of my imagination.

http://www.chinasmack.com/2010/pictu...reactions.html

Scoopdogg · 10-31-2010, 08:33 AM

That is the one place on earth that I have absolutely no interest in visiting. Its absolutely disgusting.

Ducay · 10-31-2010, 09:13 AM

I've heard nothing but good things from friends who have visited India. Sure it has its dirty areas, but thats true of any developing country (or even deveoped for that matter). It'd be like writing Canada off simply because you looked at some pictures of Edmonton.

Nevermind, I hear they're all terrorists and look like this, oh and they all live in slums.

Bigtime · 10-31-2010, 09:24 AM

Everyone should visit India at least once, it puts a lot of our "problems" into perspective.

It's also a complete emotional/mental/physical rollercoaster ride for someone that has never left Western culture.

I spent 26 days backpacking India with my girlfriend (now wife) at the time. The people are some of the friendliest you will meet anywhere, and the country is beautiful if you look beyond the poverty. It's truly a country in rapid change, but the sheer amount of poverty that they have to overcome is staggering.

Edit: Went to Varanasi as well, even stayed in a hostel that was downwind of a 'burning ghat' (where they cremate bodies). Woke up every morning with a very sore throat, literally breathing in the dead as we slept.

Regulator75 · 10-31-2010, 09:58 AM

I'll stick to visiting poor countries via the Amazing Race.

Cowperson · 10-31-2010, 10:24 AM

At some point in the next few years, I think I'll be going to run the Mumbai Half-marathon, then taking a catamaran down the coast to Goa for a few days, then a train across the country to hook up with a tour and look at Varanasi, the city of the dead and a few other places.

Something like that. The plan is still a little vague.

Some half-marathon photo's (look at the main gallery) below. Looks like a fun and unique experience. And crowded, like Amsterdam's half.

http://www.procamrunning.in/photogallery.php?gid=Mw==

I still remember Lonely Planet's Jennifer Shapiro's classic comment about visiting India: "Go for three weeks, allowing one week to get sick and the other two for enjoying yourself."

Cowperson

JustAnotherGuy · 10-31-2010, 11:30 AM

The part I don't understand is how poluted the Ganges is. It is their most sacred of rivers but it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

Kipper is King · 10-31-2010, 11:45 AM

I would like to visit India at some point. I think it would be an eye opening difference in culture.

Winsor_Pilates · 10-31-2010, 12:30 PM

Went for the first time a couple years back. Whether people are saying it's dirty, or saying it's beautiful; everything people say about it is true. It's all over the place, quite the experience.
I will go back one day.

HPLovecraft · 10-31-2010, 02:24 PM

Avoid the rivers and you'll be okay. Also, avoid inner cities.

Kipper is King · 10-31-2010, 02:28 PM

One travel book states that some say India is an acronym... I'll Never Do India Again.

Hanni · 10-31-2010, 02:31 PM

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/...se-status.html

moon · 10-31-2010, 03:46 PM

I have beeen to my share of crappy countries in the world and India by far takes the cake.

Without a doubt the worst place on earth.

It has all the dirt, poverty, overcrowding, garbage, disgusting people and god awful food without a single redeeming quality to it.

Green · 10-31-2010, 03:54 PM

I've been there twice. Don't eat any food outside a respectable restaurant. I puked my brains out the second time I went.

But my god, what a country. I love animals. I absolutely love looking at some of the most exotic looking creatures you've ever seen... just walking around freely in civilization.

An extremely poisonous little lizard was about 2 cm away from landing on me once. Thankfully he met the ground instead. And then my foot. I felt bad for the lizard, but my fight reflex had kicked in.

Jiggy · 10-31-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I have beeen to my share of crappy countries in the world and India by far takes the cake.

Without a doubt the worst place on earth.

It has all the dirt, poverty, overcrowding, garbage, disgusting people and god awful food without a single redeeming quality to it.

Yes, some places in India are as bad as you're saying, but other places are really beautiful. I have been to places that are just as bad. You call them disgusting? Much of those people in India have no money, no education, lots of things that we take for granted, its really sad.

moon · 10-31-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggy

Yes, some places in India are as bad as you're saying, but other places are really beautiful. I have been to places that are just as bad. You call them disgusting? Much of those people in India have no money, no education, lots of things that we take for granted, its really sad.

Actually, the people I was referring to as disgusting are the people with money and education and what i find disgusting about them is the way they treat others.

Jiggy · 10-31-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

Actually, the people I was referring to as disgusting are the people with money and education and what i find disgusting about them is the way they treat others.

True, there is lots of greed in India. The poor get no help from anyone, except foreigners who give them money cause they feel horrible seeing what conditions they live in.

Champion · 10-31-2010, 04:34 PM

There sure are a lot of dirty parts, but it depends where you visit. Some of the first posts are so general. You are basically saying all of India is dirt. That's ridiculous.

I have gone there numerous times and the places I have stayed at kill any Mall here, etc. Much nicer than anything here.

Champion · 10-31-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I have beeen to my share of crappy countries in the world and India by far takes the cake.

Without a doubt the worst place on earth.

It has all the dirt, poverty, overcrowding, garbage, disgusting people and god awful food without a single redeeming quality to it.

So you have been to every single country in the world to make that statement? LOL.

I'm East Indian (Born in Canada), but my god your posts are so brutal and downright rude.

HPLovecraft · 10-31-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon

I have beeen to my share of crappy countries in the world and India by far takes the cake.

Without a doubt the worst place on earth.

It has all the dirt, poverty, overcrowding, garbage, disgusting people and god awful food without a single redeeming quality to it.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Indian food is fantastic, and even if it isn't your thing, you can't call it "god awful." Love eating it, and love cooking it. Perhaps you and your limited palate should stick to McDonalds and other assorted baby foods.