India overview
Since my husband's company is one of billions who have a site in Bangelore, we've been talking about going to India for a while. This was totally out back when my son was allergic to wheat, dairy, egg, tomatoes, etc. etc. etc., and I have to say that, even though my 3 year old is an enthusiastic eater, indian food is very hard for him to eat, but it sure would be neat (if we can keep from getting sick.) What an amazing country!
Indian travel sites
This site is called India Travelogue. It contains amazing amounts of information, and looks just fascinating. The, um, formatting is another thing, but hopefully you can navigate around it.
Travelling to India with a 16-month old baby
This is something that I've been keeping in my email box because my husband keeps trying to convince me to take our three year old (with multiple allergies to things like wheat!) to India. Um, we haven't gone yet, but this lady's posting was wonderfully helpful.
"I took my daughter to Bombay first when she was 8 months old (in
the summer) and then when she was 4.5 years old (in the winter).
In the summer there are more chances of getting sick, being
bitten by mosquitoes etc.
Delhi, in the winter, is cold. My experience is with Bombay,
where winters are mild and pleasant. So I would say, be prepared
for it to be cold and unless you are staying at a hotel, don't
expect any central heating.
As far as eating out goes, I had the advantage of a home base in
Bombay so I did not eat out at all. My mom personally boiled all
the water for my daughter (even her bath water, my daughter used
to lick the water that ran down her face when I washed her hair)
and cooked all her food when she went as a 4.5 year old. I do not
trust bottled water in India. And used it just once when we ran
out of water and were away from home. When my daughter was 8
months old I visited for 3 weeks and carried enough baby food and
bottles of juice and water for her from here, all tucked in
between my clothes. I also carried her diapers, diaper rash cream.
Of course, take all the shots recommended, drink well boiled water
(you and the baby), eat only thoroughly cooked food, try to have
food cooked at someones home (if possible) for you. When food is
cooked for large groups by cooks, the chances of contamination go
up. Never eat raw food, salad etc. outside. Carry and constantly
use a deet based insect repellant especially on your baby, and if
in Delhi, use mosquito nets at night. If you eat fruit, wash it
in boiled water, rinse your knife in boiled water and cut the
fruit yourself. Take disposable plates from here to make life
easier for you, won't have to worry about the cleanliness of the
plates.
I carried all my daughters usual cold, fever, etc. other general
medicines that I use here. Also tylenol etc. for me. Diarrhoea
medicine (I think Bactrim?) for me. On the most recent trip she
and I were both taking malaria meds (hers I gave followed by her
favorite sweets, it tastes awful), when she was 8 months old, I
was still nursing her so I took the malaria meds and her doc said
that was enough of a dose for her.
I know I sound like I'm going overboard with this but I can
happily say that with all my self-imposed restrictions I have
managed to take my daughter to India twice and have brought her
back with no more than a sore throat the second time, not even a
sneeze the first time."
Indian literature, culture, and notes
Ah, where to put this? There's so much! However, I'll start with the links that I have saved, and will give them a place to live.
Indian worship
We just went to a pooja the other day at one of our neighbor's houses. Here are some notes about it.
