I'm saddened to see some of the comments left here, but really not surprised. I've just returned from 3 weeks in India, and I cried when I left. I fell in love with the place, and I only saw a small portion (mostly Rajasthan). Yes people stare. Yes the hygiene standards are lacking. Yes you can buy food from street stalls. But honestly, why travel if you don't want to see something different to your own country? And surely you've researched India and know somewhat what to expect? I saw past all of this, used the dirty squat toilets, slept on overnight trains, sat in second class carriages, and loved every minute of it. The history, the culture - if you just smile at people, ask questions, be open and interested, you'll mostly be embraced in a warm welcome. The people are what makes India so special. I feel like I was only seeing the world in black and white, until I visited India - now I see in amazing colour.