2. If you are willing to stay in small but clean hotels or guesthouses, eat in local restaurants, India is a huge bargain. A double room is most places including a bathroom with a Western toilet ranges about $10-12 A NIGHT! There is a reason why you see thousands of backpackers and others on a strict budget traveling in this country.

3. Prefer a luxury hotel? This is the place and much less than a comparable luxury hotel would be in Europe or the U.S. And, the service will be so outstanding that you will be spoiled for life.

4. Indian food is delicious. It does not consist exclusively of curry. (The first thing our friends always comment on is: "Don't you get tired of eating curry all the time?") With our guide's help, we've discovered a wide-range of breads, vegetables and Tandori (our favorite). Preparations are so good. India has a bountiful array of cuisines throughout the country. And yes, we have also eaten curry. Now, Indian food back home doesn't quite measure up to the food in India itself.

5. If you don't like Indian food, there are always continental restaurants...most places (including little hole in the wall Indian restaurants) serve American-style breakfasts...and there is always Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald's.

6. The Bathroom situation. On the road, you can always find a bush or tree to visit. Otherwise, clean western toilets in all places but always carry some tissue with you. Many small guesthouses and hotels have bathrooms that you step up or down into. And even the toilet may be up an additional inch or so once you step into the bathroom. I am forever tripping into and out of bathrooms along with stubbing toes. Be prepared. (I loved this sign indicating the "Ladies Room.")

7. Electricity cuts and brownouts are constant. It's good to have a flashlight with you in your hotel room. Candles and matches are supplied but there is nothing like a flashlight. Take one - unless you are exclusively staying in 5***** hotels with their own generators.

8. Buses. If you bus around India, there are two kinds of buses - private and government run. They usually charge the same and go to the same places. Sometimes, the private buses even charge a little less. Wave them down on the road. And then watch them race each other trying to pick-up passengers first. I'm not referring to the very long-haul buses, e.g. between major cities. They are a different story.

9. The roads. Again, be prepared for LONG, bone-jarring, teeth-rattling drives. If you are prone to motion sickness (like me), take Bonine, Dramamine, etc. before you set out.

10. Airlines in India. The airline with the worst safety record is Indian Airlines. The others are in very good shape, particularly the newer ones like Jet and Sahara Airlines and will even serve you a meal on 45-minute flights. Security is excellent. They are very hardline about one carry-on bag per person, and the lastest routine for checking in goes somewhat like this:

- First, your bags go through an initial x-ray screening and a security band is applied by a machine that tightens it around each bag.
- Safety straps are inserted through zippers so they can't be opened without cutting off.
- Only then do you take them to your check-in counter.
- You and your hand-carried items go through another screening - step through the screener and are patted down.
- On some routes, the suitcases are placed on the tarmack and you identify your bags BEFORE getting on the plane. Only then are they stowed in the baggage compartment. No identifying...no bags on the plane.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, be catered to like a Maharajah or Rani, and see some of the most unusual sights in the world, visit India. Go on a group tour for your first experience, and...you'll be back... I know we will.