Yes India is fascinating and exotic and chaotic and exasperating and everything I thought it would be but I hadn’t counted on it being so cheap! Where else can you book a driver for a day for $30.00? Other bargains….
Pop or water, 20 cents
Bag of groceries – veggies, fruit, bread, milk, eggs, $3
Phone call home, 40 cents
Cell phone unlimited data, $8
Cab ride to downtown, $3
Dinner out for 4, $20 -$30
Yoga instruction for 2 for an hour, $6
1 hour Massage, $14
Guide at historic site including tip, $6
One unusual expense was sending home a parcel from the post office. I was told my perfectly wrapped and labelled cardboard box wouldn’t pass inspection unless I took it to a tailor! Following the post master’s instructions, I walked down the street to find several small, storefront tailors with the sign “parcels wrapped”. I was ushered inside the closest one, my box whisked away by a young man at the back who proceeded to measure out a length of white muslin and sew it into a customized casing which fit my box exactly. The final flap was then hand-sewn and, to my amazement, secured at the seams with sealing wax! I was handed a black fabric marker to write the address and after 10 minutes and $3.00 poorer, I had my postal-approved package ready to go. As I handed over my box at the post office I couldn’t help but notice a pile of identically wrapped packages ready for shipment to Australia, France, Israel and Italy!
The only thing that seems to cost as much as in other countries are hotels. It seems the world over, an average double room costs between $80-120 a night. I think hotel operators must just check out each others rates and assume that’s what tourists are willing to pay everywhere. Fortunately, hotel stays for us are few and far between!
I hope you have enjoyed and are still enjoying India. Michaels comment is, it might be cheap but you still spend a lot, tips tips and more tips.I find that a wallet full of ten and twenty rupee notes is a very useful travelling companion. try the lassi, salted is best or even fresh lime with a little salt rather than sugar. salaams from D and M