Comments for Expat On The Edge

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Proj

Proj — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:41:45 +0000

I have been following this blog for quite a while although i don’t react and respond that often and i feel like most expats, her Indian experiences or the narration of those are somewhat extreme. I fully agree with you, Vasu that the trick is to find the right balance.

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Proj

Proj — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:36:40 +0000

Well, India does not have posh looking infrastructure, agreed but half the country’s citizens are not drowning in debt like America. India is outwardly less glamorous than the west, thanks to restrained spending and consumption but from my personal understanding of economics and finance, the economic fundamentals of Indians (maybe not the republic) are on a more solid base than the average American (not sure of Europe)

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Mick

Mick — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:05:06 +0000

Sharat
I’m sorry if it appears jumbled but I try to keep it short, I’m sure Naomi understood it. But basically a journalist is a story teller and as such away from the paper she can use words to make it more entertaining, as some one once suggested she should spice it up. That’s the same thing. I meant that by the 90’s there route around India for backpackers was well worn, and frankly having spent 3mths there in the early 80’s when we had Thatcher and the beginning of all that. I spent £1260 pounds this was from Norwich England and back if you take off the airfare I spent £900 on the 3mths. So to me it looks almost impossible 10yrs later to do what she did on £500.

In 1963 an Irish lady called Dervala Murhpy rode an old fashioned bicycle all the way from Dublin to Delhi following what was then the overland route followed by the predecessors of today’s backpackers. This of course was before it became fashionable to have civil wars other sorts of wars and the rise of radical Islam. She enjoyed this trip so much that she did others, and when her daughter was old enough she took her on the same first journey. I quoted a passage that stuck in my mind, she is a natural writer and if you would like to read an impression of your wonderful country and surprisingly your neighbours hospitality to an Irish woman wandering the Hindu Kush and other mountains.

Sorry for any confusion but I have had a funny week and haven’t quite recovered from quite a shock.

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Sharat

Sharat — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:42:31 +0000

@ Mick– Its really been difficult to read you comments bud. Of course No offences meant but really you jumble up the words and their meaning. At least what I could figure out on first read is Zilch. Please write like you are speaking to a child, it will help :). And please don’t feel offended.. I wud really like know what are you trying to say..

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by arindam

arindam — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:02:39 +0000

I am sorry if you didn’t mean that way.A bit of humour is fine with me but i feel you could have avoided the stuff about famines .Humour is never bad .See whatever our systems are it is something we are improving .Yes we don’t have the rail services comparable to europe but you got to put things in perspective the huge population and the lack of money.And its a blog you are free to put in your comments I have no issues whatsoever because thats what blogs are meant for a steady exchange of thoughts and views

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Atul

Atul — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:30 +0000

I guess I touched a few emotions there..

Guys I dint say that the picture Jaya provided is wrong, all I wanted to convey was that the scenario has changed. I admit there was no culture of backpacking then, but our economy has evolved over this period and yes multiple folds. Btw, travelling has nothing to do with the “exposure to outside world” If travelling was for the rich class and people dint really know the concept of travelling as “they were unexposed to the outside world” why were there so many pilgrims from the whole of India to all the holy places all over in the country. People DID use to travel, just that the concept of travel for Luxury or for leisure was uncommon.

and to your point Mick I dont think kids do backpacking or take drugs during that period when they have their head over the shoulders to get into the right colleges of their choice, all these things start later on…

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Mick

Mick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:44:54 +0000

Some could say India is like marmite you either love it or hate it. For the lovers it’s the wonderful street life full of vibrant colours, smells excitement and Indian people. The haters just can’t cope with this.

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Mick

Mick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:21:37 +0000

I would like to put Naomi’s travels in perspective, by the time she did it, the route etc was well established, there were/are hotels to suit all pockets etc. In the early 60’s an Irish lady rode a bicycle from Ireland to India on what was to become the overland route via Europe, Turkey, Iraq Afghanistan and down to Delhi she WAS brave the book she wrote about that journey is called “Full tilt” and is worth reading as are her other travel books. She did the same journey with her 9yr old daughter and one passage stands out in my memory. She and daughter were up the side of a mountain in the Hindu Kush on a very narrow track when said daughter asked the following question ” Mum, exactly how does a nuclear reactor work” loverly books by someone who has the same feeling for India as we do.

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by Mick

Mick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:09:38 +0000

Actually in there (my comment) the was a big complement to India and it’s efforts to modernise, it’s just that my English is English as it is spoken here. I’m sure the trains are now run in such a way that there are seats for all, and no overcrowding, vast queues at the stations etc. But sorry if you misunderstood me. This is something both Naomi and i sometimes feel happens, when we add a slight touch of humour to our comments once again sorry

Comment on Backpacking as a foreigner in India in the 90s by arindam

arindam — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:41:33 +0000

Well I don’t think Jaya has put in the wrong picture Atul.If you have been from a middleclass family you would have agreed.All this talk about back packing,travelling etc etc came in after the 1990’s when the economy was unshacled before that our exposure to outside world was minimal with Doordarshan being the only source of entertainment and having a telephone was too a luxury.