advice requested for adventure

So let's say you're thinking of planning a vacation, but like, a different one. One where you do more than walk around looking at things because frankly, sometimes that ends with me being lost, abruptly super hungry with no food in sight, and also need to pee.

('sometimes' = 'it's like my special gift')

So yes maybe walking and looking at things (supervised: I got lost in a park in San Antonio within sight of five hotels and a major road right beside me. A park. By a major street. I could see the goddamn Hilton but could not for the life of me find that road sixty feet away. That happened), but also--the kind where maybe you--spend six to eight hours a day devoted to improving yourself.

(No, not misquoting Buddha because I found enlightenment breathing on a mountain and spiritual refreshment by looking at trees then write a book about it improving, though me being American, I understand why that would be of concern. No worries, though; I'm scared of heights and I'm not very good at the 'silently contemplating [anything]' thing. Or loudly contemplating, come to think)

Fine, I am pondering going on a learning vacation to India. Ideally, I'd like to spend two to three (four?) weeks learning Hindi, looking at things (of course), and eating because when your workplace is two-thirds Indian nationals/expatriates/-Americans and there are parties--well, you don't come back from that. It's paneer tikka, chicken masala, all the rices ever, and so very much naan.

(Then it's midnight, you finished making the filling for the samosas from the recipe your coworker gave you but couldn't be fucked to finish the pastry and ate it all sitting on the kitchen floor. It happens.)

I went looking and found a couple of programs in New Delhi and Jaipur and a few other places--both within the budget of a public servant if she's prudent with her money for a couple of years (because this is going to be a Multi-Year Project)--but I just don't know enough to evaluate them. I'd prefer one that's administered by the people whose country I want to visit if possible, but again, I'm not sure what I should be looking for or ask and reviews aren't easy to find.

So anyone have experience, advice, thoughts?

(So far, I have a multi-page list of every place in India I absolutely must see, according to my co-workers. New Delhi and Jaipur were on there, so excellent.)

Comments

[inkteller]

There is a wonderful travel organization called Road Scholars! They do guided holidays with local guides and I just really recommend them. I think they have several India 'experiences.' (They call all of them 'experiences').

[luminosity]

I got lost in a park in San Antonio within sight of five hotels and a major road right beside me. A park. By a major street. I could see the goddamn Hilton but could not for the life of me find that road sixty feet away.

I did that last spring. Middle of downtown Minneapolis. Traffic all around me. I could hear it. I could see it occasionally. It took me nearly 45 minutes to find where I parked the car. Of course, I found an exit directly opposite of where I parked the car. It *is* a gift. It's just a subheading under my travel curse. I'm either stranded, or I have to wait for an unreasonable amount of time before I get lost.

[swingandswirl]

Hi! Actualfax Indian here, though from the south not the north. I'd be happy to help if I can!

[seperis]

Oh, thank you! If you have time or it's not too much trouble, that'd be great.

So far, I only found two programs for short term (2 to 4 weeks), and one was recommended by the Guardian and had actual prices. The other didn't and that made me nervous.

I"m not even sure I am looking for the right thing, though. Basically, a 1-3 week immersion course in Hindi and maybe cultural activities, and I hope that doesn't sound creepy American.

Again, only if you have time. This is at least an 18 month/2 year project for money and to save up my leave to get at least two or three weeks (hopefully a month!).

Thank you!

[toujours_nigel]

Come to Hyderabad and let me feed you kebabs and biryani and take you to museums! Or, idk if this is happening right now?

Also if you decide to visit Calcutta I can give you a list of things to do, places to go. In Mumbai, one of my friends used to run an art walk. Even if she's moved on to other things by then, lists and contacts will be available.

[seperis]

HOpefully? 18 months to two years, and you just offered me food. Assuming i don't get lost--uh, I will--I'll be on your doorstep.

...yeah, that sounded like a serial killer. Trying again: thank you!

(I'm looking at the city on Wikipedia and wow.

[toujours_nigel]

Ha ha, well, if I'm not in Hyderabad I'll be in Calcutta and the offer of food stands regardless. *g*

[goss]

Hey! I don't know if this is helpful, but here in Trinidad we have a large population of Indians and the government of India has programs through the Indian High Commission/Embassy.

The Indian government actually *pays* for you to go to India and learn the language, various arts, travel and educate yourself about the country. Two of the teachers at my school did it over a summer a couple years ago.

Don't know if the U.S. has any such programs, but contacting your local Indian embassy might prove useful.

[linbot]

A friend of mine recently went on a solo trip to South America and for him the highlight was the cooking classes that were part of the small group bus tour that he was on. It's also been great for us because he's hosted a number of events to show off the things he learned (and adapted to be vegan, though he isn't himself).

Cooking classes on tourist trips are a brilliant idea and perhaps I've missed the trend, but in case there isn't one, I thought I'd suggest it.

Your plan of immersive language also seems like it would be fascinating. In the mean time, this might well be something you're very familiar with, but Duolingo is a fun, gamefied way to get a foothold in a new language. They do offer Hindi.

[ratcreature]

I am unfortunately clueless about India, but for learning an unfamiliar language and culture, I'd suggest starting Hindi courses now, and then level up with the immersion from the basics during your vacation. (Though maybe you are already doing Hindi courses?)

In my experience intensive language learning is exhausting, especially right at the beginning and if the writing is in a different script (I've been learning Russian and Cyrillic isn't very different from Latin script, and after two years it's still not natural for me). And four weeks, even of intensive immersion, isn't going to get you very far. Also locals are more likely to speak Hindi with you, if you can already communicate a bit, because otherwise the temptation to just switch to English to move along with the communication goal (like buying food or directions or whatever) is going to be great.

Also usually language instructors are thrilled to give you travel advice to explore their country and are usually familiar with the pitfalls visitors are likely to encounter, and other students are also a great resource, because even in a beginner course you are likely to meet people who have visited India and now want to learn one of its languages because they enjoyed it so much.

[archaeologist_d]

I also would recommend Road Scholars if your immersion thing doesn't work out. They tend to have a much more intimate look at the culture and it's normally smaller groups. They always have a series of lectures, too, on culture and history. But I don't think that sounds like what you are looking for.

I went to India a couple of years back. I can't really stomach some spice they tended to put in everything so I ended up eating naan and a chickpea something and that was about it (otherwise I was in the toilet a lot and yes I had imodium with me - I was taking it like candy!). Also, I'm not fond of cow dung and dog feces and it was everywhere outside New Dehli. It doesn't bother a lot of people but it bothered me quite a bit.

My favorite places in India were the Taj Mahal (which is amazing), Jaipur for the fort and the architecture of the palaces in the area, and the Ranthambore National Park up in the mountains. I did not like Varanasi at all because of the poor air quality. I could hardly breathe and I could taste the sulfuric acid in the air.

Good luck with your search.