Page 68 - 101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers

What to Eat in India

There’s more to Indian cuisine than curry. As a starter, order bhaji, fried
onion fritters that you dip in mango chutney. The popular rice dish called
biryani has many variants, but most o en is made with marinated lamb

or chicken, sa ron, and spices like cardamon, coriander, and nutmeg.

For a tasty snack, try chaat: fried bread or potatoes smothered in chili,
yogurt, chickpeas, tamarind sauce, ginger, and spices. Can’t make up
your mind? Order a thaili, a set meal platter of from six to 20 dishes such
as rice, papadum, curd, chapati, dal, meat or vegetable curries, sambar,
pickles, and sweets. For dessert try kulfi, a popsicle-like sweet made from
thickened milk and flavorings like mango, pistachio, rose, or cardamom.

11 100 is the number to know in India

Traveling as a solo woman in India you will likely be an object of curiosity.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. . . . Other women may feel protective
towards you, and take you under their wing. If you are feeling uncomfortable in
a public place, find a group of local women, hover near them, and they will likely
be engaging and helpful. Most people will be respectful, but you might encounter
what Indians call “Eve-teasing,” that is, catcalls or verbal harassment. If you feel
threatened, dial 100—the emergency number for police that works all over India.

Traveler tip
12 Check out the Fab India stores

Fab India stores are all over the place. They use Indian fabrics
and accessories geared for the more modern lifestyle along with a western
influence. They have everything: clothes, jewelry, and household items.
I have bought their all-cotton hand-embroidered long kurtas to use as

nightgowns. They are beautiful and very so . Branches are all over
(even at the airports), and my favorite ones are: 1. Khan Market Central
Hall, Above Shop no. 20 and 21, New Delhi 110003; 2. Connaught Place
Block A-1, Hamilton House, New Delhi 110001; 3. Greater Kailash (Main store)
14, N-Block Market, New Delhi 110048.
—Esther Perica, 21-time traveler, Arlington Heights, IL

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