My India travel visa at last!
In two weeks, I will be standing across the world in India.
Am I now an emotional wreck like I was right before traveling to China? No, there are far fewer tears. Partially this is because we decided to travel with a well-respected tour group (since my decision in Spain last year that “tour group travel doesn’t stink“), thus removing the massive stress of itinerary planning and pre-purchasing transportation and entrance tickets.
But the other reason for the diminished panic is that I am far more ahead of the pre-travel To Do list for India than I was for China. So what exactly is there to do before such an epic trip?
Here are the 5 realms of preparation for India travel.
1. Paperwork. The popular “Incredible India” ad campaign does not tell you that there is also an “Incredible Amount of Paperwork” to obtain a travel visa for India. The total cost is around $100 and one should budget at least a month for it, though both these figures can change depending where you are and which speed option you choose.
Of course, your passport must be valid for six more months (a paperwork fact which blocked my trip to Morocco), and you must have at least two empty pages to fit the sprawling visa.
2. Health. Depending where in India you are going and for how long, you will need a different set of jabs to your arm. Luckily, I already got an adult Polio vaccine in Thailand before traveling to Ghana, but my friendly Travel Clinic doctor suggested a few other vaccines, along with a just-in-case set of special antibiotics, as Indian germs are now immune to Cipro (yikes!).
We are opting not to use anti-Malaria pills, but will take major precautions against mosquito bites (long sleeves, repellant, etc.) because there is currently an epidemic of Dengue Fever in India, and no pills can block or cure it. Yes, we shall try our best to avoid this so-called “Bone-Break Fever.”
India travel is on my mind!
3. Research. There is SO MUCH to learn about the history, current events, and cultural norms of India! In a heaven-sent coincidence, my 7th grade curriculum calls for me to teach about India and research skills at this point in the year, so my 140 pre-teens and I have been deep into India study since December 1. I am so curious which of the facts we have found will prove most useful, and what new insights I will see about them after experiencing India in person!
4. Career. Speaking of teaching, you do, of course, have to organize the work for your job before an epic trip. For me, this means planning when I’m collecting our big term paper (two days before I leave so I can get a jump on the grading) and ensuring I bring a power adapter so I can plug my laptop into the unique electrical sockets of India.
5. Emotions. “Yeah,” an experienced traveler sighed to me last week, “India is like life with the intensity level turned up higher than you ever thought possible.” How does one prepare emotionally for a country with so many warnings and excited explanations like this? Research, ponder, be open, and brace ourselves, I guess!
That’s my list. What do YOU do to prepare for a big trip to a very different country? What specific advice do you have for India? Do tell!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is National Board Certified Teacher, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a full-time public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 3.7 million readers have visited this site over the decade. Lillie also runs Teaching Traveling Global Education Community and Drawings Of… Educational Cartoon Site. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow on social media with the links below!
Rajnique R.
Monday 12th of January 2015
Why was it required that you have so many injections before entering India, and why is there so much paperwork involved? I don't understand how this country is expecting tourists, yet they put so many people through the immense stress of so much work! What features are in India that can motivate tourists to visit?
Lillie
Monday 12th of January 2015
Many countries have a lengthy visa process, and many also require shots to keep you heathy because they have different sicknesses than our home country. However, all of this is worth it, because as you can see from my many subsequent India articles at https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/category/locations/india/ India is AMAZING!!!
Kevin
Monday 28th of October 2013
Wow!! I learned a lot from this passage. You showed me and my fellow readers that trips across the world are fun and entertaining but they also have there ups and downs. You have overcame a lot of work and that Is a very strong thing for you to do as a person. You are TRULY amazing.
Isabel S.
Monday 28th of October 2013
Wow! You really had to plan a lot before going to india. When I go on trips, my parents are the same way. They always make sure to do research and bring maps. The driving or switching flights really got them stressed, but I always thought it was fun to drive and go on airplanes when I was little.
Wilson Samuel
Friday 13th of September 2013
One more thing I will add to your list is, if at all possible, never book any early morning flight before 7.00 AM esp the long haul flights (e.g. Boston Tokyo or Delhi Dublin)
It will make it almost impossible to sleep the previous night and the lack of sleep may cause one to make silly but costly mistakes!
Lillie
Saturday 14th of September 2013
I actually really like early morning flights because there is less traffic getting to the airport and the security lines are less of a zoo!
Wilson Samuel
Friday 13th of September 2013
Malaria is one of the most infamous diseases in the world.
Depending on the type of Malaria (caused by the different kinds of Plasmodium, there is only one which is life threatening and that is PF or Plasmodium Falciparum ), rest will only give you chills and fever, and may usually cause one to throw up and loss of appetite and the Malaria goes away with simple dosage of Quinine either via injection or via tablets / pills.
How do I know all this? I have had Malaria more than I have had common cold, in my childhood.. :-)
However when traveling one shouldnt even get common cold, it can cause all sorts of discomfort.
Lillie
Saturday 14th of September 2013
Yikes!