My India trek Nov 1973 - Feb 1974     -     John van der Woude  www.jvanderw.nl    introduction

Photos from unknown locations, and price list of food etc.

^ Drying cow dung, collected by 'lower caste' people and to be sold for kitchen fuel.

^ Bus station

Washing a sari, 7 m long.

^ Collecting coconuts.

Price list of that time (Nov. 1973 - Feb 1974):

Rs 1 (1 rupee) = 100 Np (newpence) = 0,33 Dutch guilders, at the State Bank of India at that time. 1 Dutch guilder = Euro 0,45 at the introduction of the euro. So 'then' Rs 1 = Euro 0,15 (now Euro 0,02).

Train, e.g. 3rd class Madras - Agra one way, 36 hours: Rs 55. (First class = 4x more expensive; 2nd class non-existent). Bus, e.g. Karwar - Mangalore, 6 hours: Rs 12. Ferry Alleppey - Kottayam (Kerala), 3 hours: c. Rs 1,50. Cycle riskhaw: Rs 1 or less per km.

Rice plate (incl. curries & a few chapattis) Rs 1,50 - 2,50, with free refills. Chapatti 15-25 Np. Vegetable serving Rs 1 Mutton Biriani Rs 2,50 or more. Omelette 2 eggs Rs 1,20. Fish, small plate Rs 1. Purri 30 Np. Sira 40 Np. Masale dose 40 Np. Yoghurt small plate 50 Np.

Tea 20-30 Np. Coffee 30 Np. Espresso coffee 80 Np. Fanta bottle 75 Np.

Orange 3 for Rs 1. Apple 50 Np. Banana 10-25 Np. Tangarine large, 3-4  Rs 1. Ghee jar 200 gr Rs 5,20

ORWO 35 mm black-and-white film 36 exposures, c. Rs 10. Incense, good brand 30 sticks Rs 1,75. Sandals, leather Rs 12. Gandhi cap Rs 3,75. Beedies (packet of 25) 30 Np.

Simple hotel room Rs 5 or 6 for 24 hours; basic ones even less. Full board guesthouse Pondicherry Rs 10. YMCA room Rs 6. But YMCA room in Delhi Rs 29. Berth in 3rd class sleeper train Rs 5 per night. Elephant ride in Bandipur/Mudumalai NP 90 minutes Rs 6,50 pp