quicklinks

without getting too much into it (because there is a TON of useful info) here are some links to some amazingly useful sites:

check out the forums at http://www.indiamike.com/

the real skinny. seriously cannot say enough about http://www.travelindependent.info/

another no-nonsense resource: http://artoftravel.com/

short, but helpful: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-10/india-tips-to-survive-your-first-trip.html

it's really easy to get spooked while reading these articles. petty theft, begging, sanitation, a 100% guarantee of getting diarrhea ... but you gotta be proactive right? getting scared and running is not the way to solve a problem. be prepared, adapt and get moving. on a psychological level, that whole fight-or-flight thing is kicking in: it's not too late to back out.

then again, that's dumb. more than any other lesson so far, planning for this trip has taught me that the best way to solve a problem is head on.  look at a challenge as a way to get stronger. scared of getting mugged? learn some self-defense. scarred of getting sick? learn to be healthy. gotta be a commando about this.

NEVER GIVE UP. 

on a much lighter (and heartening) note, regarding food in india, one sight reads:

Food: Fantastic and loads of variety, but getting ill or fear of, makes you a little wary.

Vegetarians: Heaven on earth

mmmmmmm, saag paneer ...