General Information:
India, like its principal religion - Hinduism, defies definition and categorisation. If you come to this nation with an open mind and heart, you are bound to fall in love with it. If you a first time visitor, rest assured the mystic aura of the soil will lure you back again. You wlll love it and hate it at the same time! The kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions is bound to make you wonder how a nation so diverse can remain united for so long.

A Telugu poet, Shri Gurajada Apparao, once said "deSHamanTe maTTi kaadoy deSHamanTe manuSHuloy" (A nation does not mean dirt, it means people.) Visiting a tourist spot, wining and dining in a five star restaurant, going to a western movie and then retiring in a deluxe air-conditioned hotel room will teach you absolutely nothing about the fabric of this great nation. We strongly advise you to mingle, chat and exchange notes with people wherever you go. Indians are extremely friendly, helpful and hospitable. An exchange with an Indian is bound to bring out the philosopher in you and make you reflect on reality; See how people deal with situations - hypothetical or otherwise, and you will observe an entirely new avenue of hope for yourself!

Dealing With Beggars
In almost all metropolitan cities in India, beggars will definitely flock around you for money, putting you in a "'damned if you give, damned if you don't" situation. Your conscience may prod you to dig into your pockets to shell out that change that had been bothering you for a while. But beware: if you give anything to one beggar out of compassion, you will instantly find that there are a lot more beggars than your eye could see. Your stern "no" or "maaf karo" (forgive me) is not accepted at face value - they will persist in the hope that you will ultimately give in. Ignoring them is the best way out. After a while you will notice the beggars would be maintaining their distance from you. This could be a very uncomfortable experience. We don't expect you to get used to this phenomenon. You will need to cope with situations like this.

Queuing Up
Standing in a queue for a service in India could be an experience in itself. You may get to see a lot of power games being played - individuals trying to get ahead somehow or the other. There could be times when you, being a foreigner, are 'allowed' some leeway in a queue - remember that the guest receives utmost respect in India.

One annoying aspect of queues in India is that the person directly behind you invariably stands so close to you that you that a honeymooning couple could put to shame! Our only advice to you is just keep a tag on all your belongings and have them within your sight. We strongly recommend not to buy services through touts just because queues have started to get on your nerves. You could land up with lemons.

Health And Safety
Physically, India is a very safe place to travel in, in comparison to most other countries. There is political stability in most parts of the country and the rule of law prevails to a great extent. However, a simple advice to be streetwise will definitely go a long way in any city.

Food And Drink
The first and foremost hurdle any foreigner would face in India is dealing with his/ her thirst. The water in India is not treated and 'standardised' in western terms. Religiously avoid untreated drinking water. Insist on drinking bottled water -prefer "Bisleri" over others in the market. Buy your supplies only from established stores. As a further precaution, always keep your water-purifying tablets with you. Make sure you have your anti malarial tablets too.

Drink plenty of water especially in hot weather to avoid dehydration. Buy only bottled water on the trip, make sure the seals are intact (particularly at railway stations); if possible, buy them from retail outlets where you are confident that the bottles have not been tampered with. Crush the plastic bottles well after use and dispose them judiciously.

If safe water is not at hand, drink any of the aerated drinks available as a substitute. Fresh coconut water (opened before you) and oranges are great and safe substitutes. Brush your teeth with clean water. Carry water-purification tablets and glucose powder and electrolytic salt tablets for re-hydration.

Avoid sweets and candies from local markets, or foods that have been laid out in the open as is prevalent in most parts of the country. Make sure the food you eat is served steaming hot.

Fresh fruit or vegetables must be rigorously cleaned (in fresh water) and should ideally be peeled; this is mainly to avoid intake of dust than pesticides, as is the case in western countries. Avoid raw salads in places where you are not confident of hygiene standards.

Dealing With Illnesses
We know this may sound unconventional, but if ever you fall ill while travelling through the countryside, consider using the natural solutions like herbs etc. We know this sounds ridiculous to a westerner, but the herbs, invariably, instantly alleviate conditions without any side effects or any cost to you. Do make it a point to read our health and fitness section in Hamarashehar.com.

Traveling

AIR
Hyderabad is an important centre in the air transport network of south India. There are flights in either direction between Hyderabad and Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, and Vishakhapatnam. Hyderabad has an international airport too.

ROAD
On the crossroads of National highways 7 and 9, Hyderabad is well connected. Buses of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and Private buses operate to all centres in the region.

RAIL
The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are extensively covered by the railway network connected with Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and other cities in India. Hyderabad is well connected by rail with all the important places within the state also. The city bus service operates from the railway station.