Utilities
Money
The currency in usage in India is Rupee. It is divided in 100 paise. Coins are
available in .25, .50, 1.00, 2.00 and 5.00. Currency notes are available is
Re 1 and Rs 2,5,10,20,50, 100, 500 and 1000. Rs 1000 note is good to keep your
wallet slim while travelling but it is recommended to keep change since getting
change is always painstaking. Make sure the notes are not torn or deface in
any manner before taking.
You are not allowed to bring in or take out Indian rupee from the country.
You can bring as foreign currency as you wish but for above $ 10000 or equivalent
it must be declared.
Money Exchange
All Banks exchange foreign currency at the prescribed rate of the day by the
Reserve Bank of India. Authorised moneychangers are also located at strategic
market places and hotels. If you are travelling to remoter area it is advised
that you change your money before hand. American Express and Thomas Cook Traveller
cheques are also well accepted. At cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur
ATMs are conveniently available. ATM accepts Cirrus, Maestro, Master Card
and Visa. Though all ATMs may not accept all the cards. All major shopping
establishments, hotel and restaurants accept credit cards. But budget hotels,
restaurants and small shops may not accept credit cards.
Postage
India has well established postal service. A post card can be sent in Rs 8
or an aerogramme in Rs 8.50 to anywhere in the world. A standard mail can
cost upto Rs 11 to Rs 20 per 20 grams. Parcels can also be sent they are charged
as per weight and distance. It is advisable to get the parcels stitched by
a tailor or a parcel wallah normally available just outside the post offices.
Courier
Couriers services are available for through out the country and internationally.
Some international couriers have offices in Jaipur while most others have
associates.
Receiving Mails
Post can be received as poste restante with your surname written first addressed
care off GPO or General Post Office of any town you intend to visit. While
looking for your mail check both for surname and first name as it could be
filed under any. Make sure the senders write the return address so that the
mails if uncollected can be returned.
Telephones
Even in small town you will find abundance of phone booths called PCOs or Public
Calling Offices. You can make local calls our STD call that is Subscribers Trunk
Dialling or ISD International Trunk Dialling from these booths. You can spot
such booths by a glow sign displayed outside the booth saying PCO/STD/ISD. You
dial yourself and pay as per the print out metered bill only. These are cheaper
options that direct dialling from hotels. The phone service is usually and you
can get connected in moments. Most of the phone booths also offer fax services.
Cyber Cafes
Cyber Cafes are existing all over and Internet and email access. The Cyber Cafes
with leased line or ISDN lines are generally faster. However Internet can be
very slow between 5 pm and 9 pm but is generally faster in mornings, early afternoons
and late nights. The rates can vary between Rs 10 to 50 per hour.
Newspapers
Newspapers in English language with good quality international and national
coverage are easily available. Newspapers like The Hindustan Times, Times of
India, Indian Express, The Hindu and The Statesman are available. Selected bookstall
may have some international newspapers too.
DRINKING WATER & BEVERAGES
The Indian loves tea called locally chai it forms an essential part of the social
milieu and served as a hospitality brew. Tea is available all over in roadside
teashops or restaurant and even on railway and bus stand platforms. A very hygienic
tea service is available largely on railway station is in clay pot, which are
disposable, but this now being replaced by disposable plastic cups. Unless you
specify specially tea is a mixed brew and many traveller find it too sweet.
So you specify tea in a tray and manage the addition of milk and sugar. Coffee
though less freely available can be found in more exclusive joints. Now coffee
vending machine of popular international brands is also gaining currency and
some places also have an espresso machine.
There is an apparent over dose of international Cola and carbonated drinks like
Coco Cola and Pepsi, which are available in abundance at every corner. These
are supplemented by local brands like Thums UP and Limca. Masala Soda a peculiar
concoction of rock salt and lime with soda can be a pleasant surprise and very
digestive. A variety of fresh and canned fruit juices and local drink particularly
good for summer like khas and rose are also very soothing. A diluted and churned
curd drink called lassi, which is thinly salted and sweetened and often topped
with cream can be quite filling and a remedy to sun strokes.
A variety of alcoholic drinks like whiskey, gin, rum, brandy or vodka is available
in good standard. Blended whiskeys with Scotch are available and are generally
more expensive. Wines and Champaign are also available but in major towns. Bottled
and canned Beer is very easily available and is generally chilled before sale.
Bars are licensed by the government and are available only in mid range and
expensive hotels. There are plenty of liquor shops but public drinking is banned.
Utilities, Rajasthan Travel
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