Very accurate observations, IMO.

I don't mind the 'maharaja' treatment, or more broadly, the ability to pay for personal services that I can't regularly afford. I never shaved in India, why bother when you can get a straight razor shave for INR 10?

Double pricing is irksome.. be glad it's not triple pricing, as Iguazu Falls has adopted (province residents free, Mercosur $, everyone else $$$$)

I liked your observations. It sounds like you had a good time. Regarding the differences in prices, one needs to think about the affordability scale. I believe the indian system is largely fair given the difference in salaries for the average american vs. the average Indian. Also, don't forget. an Indian wishing to visit his children living in the u.s. will be forced to pay approx. one month's alary just to apply for a u.s. visa. If he is rejected (quite likely), that's alot of money to lose just for trying to go somewhere you should have every right to visit.

I agree; although I didn't get shaved in India, I did get several massages, had my laundry done at hotels, and got a manicure (OK, the manicure was cheaper and easier than buying a nail clipper, which I had forgotten, but still I wouldn't have done it in the US). All were enjoyable.

As far as food pricing: most places I went didn't have two different menus; however, if you stick to eating in your hotels and at "tourist" restaurants, you will find that the food is just pricier there - even for Indian food with local ingredients. I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to get out into the cities and visit restaurants where we appeared to be the only non-Indian patrons. And the cost was much lower (e.g. dinner for two in hotel restaurant, $15. dinner for two at restaurant down the road, $2.20)

Putting it in perspective, the entry fees at most places were 250 INR for foreigners and 20 INR for locals. Now, at the exchange rate of 44 INR=$1, this came out to around $5.50 to get into the major sites. That certainly did not break the bank. You are spot on about Americans being generally more wealthy than their Indian counterparts. In truth, I didn't mind paying extra for the sites because I saw major renovation work being done at several of them, Amber Fort and Agra Fort being the two that come to mind. It is reassuring to know that the tourist fees were being used to renovate and maintain these wonderful places, and I certainly don't mind subsidizing it.

Regarding the VISA fees, I agree totally. I paid $65 for a 6 month tourist VISA. Apart from the sticker in my passport and the 2-3 minutes it took someone to process my paperwork at the Indian embassy, I don't see what justified $65. With regards to anyone who applies for a VISA and has it denied for whatever reason, I feel that the money should be refunded. I actually question the logic behind VISAs anyway. I wholeheartedly agree with the assertion that America needs to get back into the business of welcoming visitors instead of scaring them off. The best weapon (in my opinion) against support for terrorism and ignorance is informed people who do have the opportunity to travel and actually see places instead of just relying on news reports and biased opinions.

since when is it a right to visit any foreign country?

His word "should" is instrumental in the phrase: "you should have every right to visit". Allowing Indian parents to visit their adult children legally in the US ought to be more of a given than it is currently -- especially as such persons are unlikely to overstay or violate the conditions of their visas (particularly due to the cost of medicine and medical insurance for them ).

Speaking particularly of Indian parents attempting to visit their children in the US who are legally in the US, the government rejects way too many such persons for visas IMO; and why/how we reject them is a bit of a problem too.

Well, to avoid this topic becoming a thread about India observations from a repeat US Embassy visitor , I'll say that first time visitors to India from the US are definitely in for an experience -- love it, hate it, endure it, or fascinated/shocked by it. I'd like to thank the OP for this review of his experience.

The poster never implied the "right". The poster only questioned the fairness of a fee paid without any benefit, when the fee amounted to a month's salary or more for for some. Now contrast that with a fee of $5.50 to enter a monument for which an Indian pays $0.50.

I would like to thank the OP for his post too. Based on my experiences on a litle more than half a dozen trips to India in my short 14 years of life, he captured the essence of travel to India without dwelling on his personal preferneces or tastes.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of praise for a balanced and accurate perspective on India. As I say to people who ask about it, 'it's an amazing place, but comes at a price'.

Visa fees are set on a reciprocal basis - India will charge US citizens the same amount that USA charges Indian citizens for their US visas. If the current Indian visa fee is only $65, then you got a bargain, as US visas for Indians cost $100 and up. So, there is absolutely no point is debating how much work the Indian embassy did - one should wonder more about *why* US goverment charges such exhorbitant amount for visa fees to the US. Ah by the way, US visa fees are also non-refundable.

Losing $100 for a visa not granted will hit an Indian citizen financially much much more then losing $65 will for a US citizen who doesn't get their Indian visa.

Just my two rupees worth.

The 10-year visa that India gives Americans is a better deal than the shorter duration visas.

I made my first trip to India this year and I think my experiences were similar to OP's. Overall, I loved my trip and can't wait to go back. The only thing that really bothered me was the guides' insistence on taking me shopping. They say they are taking you to see how local crafts are made and then put you in a position where you are pressured to buy things. I had only a short time in India and, despite my best attempts to avoid shopping trips, spent far too much time in big, fancy showrooms where they tried to convince me that I would be helping the local people by buying rugs, scarves, stonework, etc. I know the guides earn money if they get you to buy something, but I would have preferred to pay off the guides and have more time to see what I wanted to see.

Now that I know how the game is played, I will be more upfront about refusing to go to these showrooms. I was just a little too slow to catch on this time around and, because our guides didn't always speak good English, I sometimes agreed to go places without a clear understanding of what we were going to see.

That problem aside, I found India to be beautiful and fascinating. The poverty is heart-breaking, but I like to think that tourism helps the situation at least a little and I am hoping to go back soon.

true....i guess the better way is to JUST find any ole reason to INVADE....

I flew Jet recently from spore to mumbai and back and am now a big fan ....and will not hesitate to use them on the domestic travels too......the service and food etc was neaar perfect ....

one down side was Y class passengers being allowed to use the business class toilets ..... this comment was given to their crew....

very lttle downside to Jet ........ hope they can maintain it....

but i was amused and surprised to see how many "low cost " airlines there were in India..kingfisher,GO, spice, deccan, sahara and there were more....!

generally India is a great place to visit and am just glad that we are even allowed / able to enter and experience it...[ yes i know about the tourst dollar- but they do not depend on it esp foreign tourist dollar although thats beginning to change ..also nb Bali ].......so i am not that bothered with teh 'double " priceing" and the toilet tips.....i mean...just try checking into the fourseason new york ...!!!! or for that matter go anywhre by cab in NY.......

so i guess things must be put in perspective.:-:

That's the key problem I have had with Jet. The experience does seem to be hit or miss these days.
Not sure if we can call Kingfisher a low-cost airline anymore - while they did start off as an LCC - with coach only seating on their A320s - they now have a premium class and offer very credible competition to 9W

After my not-so great set of 9W trips a month or so ago, I am giving Kingfisher (IT) a try.