Comment on "Wall Street Journal Coverage on Travel in India"

Original Post:

http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/wall-street-journal-coverage-on-travel-in-india/

The article is very intriguing, but I personally will not be travelling like a Raja after GSB 563 ends. Or should I say I won't be travelling like a Rani (feminine). I intend to continue my travels East through Asia until the end of October and I won't accomplish that by staying at $400/night forts or palaces!

I have a friend who runs a Surf Retreat near Mangalore, in Karnataka that will be one of my first destinations. I am hoping to catch some waves between monsoons and will likely be earning my keep while staying there; I anticipate helping with the cooking/cleaning on Day 1. I am sure the tiny town that he is in will be drastically different from Mumbai. The USA has a varied landscape - Seattle is very different from Yosemite, just as Hawaii is very different from NYC. I am positive that the American "variety" in people, locale and culture pales in comparison to the huge spectrum that is India.

Tim's line is great - "Pay to tour India, get 99 extra countries free!" The varied culture of each region will likely be overwhelming. From the food, to the religion, to the language, to the physical appearance of the people, each region presents a new set of traits to accustom yourself to.