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Hello, my cousin is planning a high school AFS trip to India to learn Hindi, after his brother went to Egypt and I went to China. I was wondering, is Delhi a safe place to visit for an American high school student. My cousin is smart and not likely to get in trouble, so that shouldn't be a problem. Also, what is good to do or see in Delhi? Thanks
If your cousin is blonde-haired, there may be some minor problems.
I was in Delhi back in 1996, with my blonde-haired friend, and she found it very annoying, after awhile, particularly walking around Old Delhi, as for some mysterious reason, there were men who merely wanted to touch her, as she stood out in contrast to all those black-haired Indians there. Someone suggested it was her merely being blonde that intrigued them. I really don't think they meant any harm, she was merely a curiosity to them.
Other than that (this was back in 1996) I never felt unsafe anywhere in Delhi or even Kolkata, where I even walked into the slums.
I can't say what it's like today over there. Probably not much different. When it really comes down to it, I've always felt
safe in any third world country I've been to.
Last edited by tijlover; 01-25-2011 at 11:15 PM..
Reason: edit
India is rather safe for a poor country. One thing you have to know about India is that the major cities of India are awfully busy and can seem very chaotic to someone who isn't accustomed to the sheer amount of people going about their business. Delhi is a rather bland city but there are plenty of sight seeing spots like the Lotus Temple or Ahkshardam. If your cousin is interested in seeing and experiencing "Old India" he can take a short train ride to Jaipur. It would probably bee a good idea for your cousin to mentally prepare himself for the fact that he or she is going to see a lot of poverty, it often rattles first time visitors.
Pune is WAY better than delhi, he should consider himself lucky. It might be a little bit more dull, but pune has some very cool museums and hillstations. Delhi isn't bihar by any means, but it isn't a place you wanna venture outside alone. Plus he can take a 3 hour train to Mumbai. Although, is pune really the place to learn hindi? Marathi is the main language there.
Make sure he realizes what he's getting himself into, India's poverty is a whole new level... you can't really explain it unless you see it.. is he very interested in foreign culture and/or seeing 3rd world countries? Remember, India makes South America seem like its paved with gold streets and I'm not exaggerating.
Besides my standard "india warning", its an interesting place besides the poverty, the food is unlike anything you see here (unless you go to an indian restaurant) and it is quite interesting to see such a huge country highly unaffected by westernization. So many other asian countires are MUCH more westernized than India.
How hot compared to the normal 90+ degree Fahrenheit weather in Utah? More humid during June/July?
The heat in India is overhyped, I went in the "heat wave" and didn't have problems at all.. needless to say I was used to miami summers with high humidity, but come on, most americans face high summer temperatures.. its not the end of the world. Unless he's going to Kuwait he's not going to have problems with the weather. Most restaurants are air conditioned upstairs, roll the window down in the cab and get an air conditioned room and its easy.
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