Tips For Traveling in Punjab
Clothing
Travel as light as possible. Its better for
women to avoid tank tops or short skirts / shorts.
The best & comfortable outfit, especially
during the hot summers, apart from Salwar –Kameez’,
is a T-shirt worn with loose cotton trousers.
You can purchase them anywhere in Ludhiana,
at very reasonable rates, at any of the shops.
Social Interaction
If you give the impression of being from a different
country or State, chances are that you might
be stared at, especially in the smaller towns.
Don't be offended - they mean no harm, it is
just curiosity.
Toilets
In Punjab, public toilet facilities are few
and far between. Take every opportunity you
can to use a clean toilet in places such as
hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit wherever
you go.
Beggars
Do not let them hassle you, and do not encourage
them by giving them money.
Food And Drink
> Drink only bottled water. Many popular
brands are available. In restaurants insist
that
they bring a sealed bottle to your table.
> Eat non-vegetarian food only in good restaurants
& popular eating Joints. The meat in
cheaper and smaller places can be of dubious
quality.
> Good quality vegetarian food is easily
available.
> Curd or yogurt is served with most meals.
It is a natural aid to digestion and helps
temper the spicy food.
Shopping
Before purchasing, check the prices at shopping
places before making a choice. Bargaining is
standard in most places and is enjoyed by all.
You can also shop in government handicraft shops
as there the prices are fixed and the quality
is certified. Get used to the fact that you
will probably be charged more than the locals.
If possible, take a local along when you go
shopping.
Tipping
In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally
included in the bill.
Some hotels include service charges on their
bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary.
The standard tip is 10%.
In hotels, porters and room service attendants
are normally tipped at the end of the stay,
though an early tip is likely to get you better
service.
Tipping of taxi drivers is not customary.
Sightseeing
Dress codes for religious places can include
covering your head, being barefoot etc. Ask,
so that you don't unwittingly give offence.
Some temples do not permit any
leather articles at all on their premises.
Certain temples are not open
to Non-Hindus. Please check with the local tourist
information office.
The dry summer heat can drain
you completely. Drink lots of water and fluids.
The sun is strong. Remember to
use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body. Wear
sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.
Photography is not always permissible,
and at many places it is permitted only at a fee.
There is usually a higher fee for using a video
camera.
Smoking is not allowed at public
places. All properties of the Indian Railways
including trains and railway stations are strictly
non-smoking zones with stiff penalties for violations.
Health Precautions
Always drink bottled water.
Eat fruit you can peel.
Always wash fruit well before
eating it.
Wash your hands before and after
eating.
Always keep a tube of mosquito
repellent with you.
Always carry a kit of the basic
emergency medicines you might need for diarrhea,
fever, etc. Also, band aids and an antiseptic
ointment.
If you do catch a bug, do not
panic. It will go away in a few days - but try
the following tips to keep it down:
· Drink lassi - a yoghurt
drink. It will help tone down the bacteria.
· Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi
- an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
· Drink plenty of coconut water. It's cooling,
and naturally sterilized!
· Drink plenty of fluids and take some
electrolyte salts if the bug persists.
Time
As you know, everything in India takes time -
longer than in most places. So always give yourself
extra time for whatever you may have to do - even
it is just a visit to the Post Office or changing
money.
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