Moving to India with your toddler sounds like such a wonderful thing. India calls to me and I am a single parent of two boys, nine and five. I have heard of Dharamsala before, do you think it would be a good destination for us? I want to find a town to stay for a while at least a couple of months. Good luck with your beautiful plan. Maria

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Maria,

I would say, do lots of research and make sure your boys are vaccinated against Hep A and Hep B, Typhoid, Polio, the childhood lot, and of course tetnus. Medical care is good in India. I haven't had any problems. I was pregnant for 8 months in Mcloed Ganj and felt fabulous!


Mcloed Ganj is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It used to be an English hill station. It has lots of western style resteraunts. Good food, nice people and lots of fun. ONe can hike in the hills, visit the monasteries, and partake of both Hindu and Buddhist temples and cultures. There are a lot of Tibetans there and the Dalai Lama also.

It's dirty. You would be amazed at how much guck I washed out the clothes every week. It's a little remote, but there are lots of taxis and buses into Delhi. About 3 hours away is the airport and train. Great place to be.

I have been preparing my daughter. The strollar is officially banned from use! HA HA HA. I have been taking her for long walks, getting her and me in shape. I also tie her on my back, but that is because it's more comfortable for me than a back pack.

I am also teaching her to help me do small chores, like pick up toys and helping with carrying things. She is also learning to mind when I say "come here and sit!" like a puppy...sounds mean, but in market it's open and taxis whizzing by, cows and horses, she needs to listen. So I have been teaching her come, stay, sit, wait and doing lots of city walks and walks out in our countryside where there are no sidewalks. We are very careful and doing great.

Later this year I am also going to teach her how to do simple washing, but I don't expect a whole lot. My daughter is used to the food of India. She loves dhal(beans) and rice with curry. She eats nearly anything, even hydrabadi pickle mixed with her rice.

As a single mom, I would say going to India is a whole heck of alot of work. I have lived there before and know how much work it is. You don't have a washer and dryer unless you spring for one.Not too expensive, but I don't know what electric costs monthly. During monsoon, clothes just won't dry quickly. There is no central heating...we didn't have a microwave, refer or anything like that. In h.p. beef is forbidden(but you can buy it in Delhi and smuggle it up...tho it's illeagle)

There are giant intelligent spiders. Mosquitos are not so bad. Tons of loveable street dogs and monkies(teach your kids to NOT FEED THEM) Monkies can bite bad!

They also need sunscreen. It's high altitude in Mcloed. 10K feet. I have a tough gut and it took me a good 4 to 6 months to readjust. And then there is the homesickness thing...bring lots of photos!

After all that is said and done, I think that if you know your limits and can relax and hug your kids when you feel like eating a few bars of chocolate because you miss home sooo much, you will be fine. There are lots of westerners to talk to. And if you trust your intuition, you will be fine.

It's a great experience. I am in love with India. My daughter will love it too. It's more intensive and a lot of work, but worth the effort.

Hope this helps.

Tracy

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