Traveling in India

[Guest guest]

When traveling it is best to live as the middle class people of the

country you are going to live. There are three ordinary health

problems that happen to people traveling to India. Two of them are

easily avoided most of the time - diarrhea from unfamiliar or unclean

food and water. In any country of the world where the water is not

properly treated middle classed people never drink untreated water -

this is no problem in India since bottled water is available

everywhere - food should always be eaten cooked (and hot). Many

Indian resturants serve something called 'salad or garden salad' this

is sliced carrots, sliced cucumber, sliced onions I have never heard

of anyone having problems from eating this salad. Avoid all street

food and food from low class restaurants as the hygiene standards are

not the same as in your country. Many people traveling on trains or

other public transport do not prepare for food in advance and often

end up eating bad food simply because they have no other choices. If

one is taking long journeys then buy unpeeled fruit and other foods

to eat on the train or bus. Be sure and look at the foods on offer

from vendors on the platforms in train stations - sometimes there are

good fresh hot home prepared dishes on offer. Do not buy train

platform foods that are not hot. Another problem that one frequently

forgets or is unaware of and that is dehydration - those coming from

temperate climates to tropical or desert climates do not realize the

importance of remaining well hydrated. If when walking in the street

one finds onself getting tired and or irritable or overwhelmed - stop

and drink some water. A third issue is hepatitis - this is not a big

problem for travelers but is definitely one that is relatevly common

and is also potentially dangerous. The answer to this potential

threat is not clear cut as vaccines and gamma globulin shots are all

controversial. General levels of good hygeine are the best

protection. Remember that swimming or bathing in rivers lakes and

even the ocean in heavily populated areas are potentially polluted

with human and animal waste. Ordinary hygenic rules provide as much

protection as possible.

 

Many going to India for the first time are shocked by the dynamic

quality of urban life in India - this makes India fascinating for

foreigners because everything is so dynamic and interesting - but

please remember that this life style is very stressful. Just getting

from one end of Bombay to the other can be exhausting whether

traveling by train, bus or car. In cities like Bombay the residents

live one of the most stressful life styles in the world. Air polution

is horrible. Look in the faces of the residents of Bombay and you

will see that most people at all levels of society are under great

stress. It is the environment which is the greatest stress.

 

Remain healthy - eat as well as possible - drink plenty of water -

and do not over do it - one is under great stress while traveling

because of many factors so take plenty of rest and recreation - stay

in a hill station for a few days and escape the heat and chaos of the

city. Let the clean mountain air refresh you.

 

Many infectious diseases are endemic (although mainly in the rural

areas) typhoid, malaria, polio, yellow fever, etc. These diseases are

always a threat and many take vaccines against as many diseases as

possible - I can not agree with that appoach yet this is obviously an

area where each person must decide for themselves. Personally I do

not know any foreigners who have gotten these diseases but the

potential is there.

 

Mentioning all of these threats I will mention my personal experience

with these health issues. I was born in south India and lived there

for 24 years - I shifted to US and have lived here for 41 years - I

return to my home place every year once or twice a year - most times

taking my family (my children were born in US). We stay at my fathers

house and travel evrywhere - we eat anything we choose - taking

delicious watermelon juice from street vendors (who wash the glasses

in a bucket of dirty water)- taking delicious morning dosa from the

corner street stall where men line up to get there breakfast before

starting the days work. Other than mild cases of travelers diarrhea

we always feel healthier in India than here because of the natural

diet and natural lifestyle of the people. Starting next year I will

spend six months out of the year in Kerala because of my love of the

natural more humanist life that millions live there.

 

Ordinary health issues can become bigger in the tropics so protect

yourself - example skin issues - if one gets lesions treat them

immediatly as they can fester and become more problematical than one

is used to. This issue of skin problems is the one I find most

troubling - unclean water for bathing and endemic yeast and mold

create many problems. Wear full shoes - if one notices many Indian

people have severe cracking of the soles of their feet this is caused

by going bear feet or with sandels in the dirt - thus contracting

yeast and mold infections. Many people notice a bad odor develops

underarms and in crotch and feet - this is bacteria, yeast, and

molds, from bathing in unclean water - combined with dehydration and

its accompaning increased heat (pitta)condition. The best way to

protect from these issues is to eat light, drink plenty and disinfect

the skin three times a week with hydrogen peroxide or other

disinfectants such as silver water, povidine iodine, etc. - put these

substances all over the body and leave for few minutes before

bathing. Keep the skin from getting dry and scaling - apply oil.

 

Best thing for dehydration is coconut water and watermelon juice - if

the over heating is severe take gullam (rose) or chandan (sandelwood)

preperations from the Ayurveda chemist shop.. Sugar cane juice is

also excellent for overheating but be careful as it can severely

depress agni.

 

Pace yourself and do not forget to rest and take in the details (not

trying to see everything in one time) and India will surely reward

you with its richness of texture.