r2i forum

we use to go to india once in 2yrs or so. but, over the last coupla yrs we're doing yearly vacations in india (1 month plus duration)...and planning on stretching it out to 2 month vacations every yr in near future. what this has done is reduced the "cravings" we use to have for r2i.

so, i'd recommend this to people who're on the r2i borderline to try this out. it really helps 'cos u enjoy india as a tourist...vacation at nice places and meet relatives etc., plus u get back refreshed. by the time u're burnt out, u're ready for another trip to india. not a bad deal, eh?:emwink:

If you can do 2 months plus of vacation in India, IMHO no need to R2I - best of both worlds. The catch here is that 1. it costs money - 10K for a family of 4 adults and 2. it is hard to get that kind of time off from work.

For some people both counts are possible. Acually 1. should be possible generally. It is 2. where some are lucky to get this.

very hard to do once kids start school. You may end up going in summer time only. Also getting 2 months off every year is very hard, could be possible if working in Europe.

2 months in a year is hard. btw is ur handle same as "noneedtor2i" :confused:, is that why ur advocating 2 mths a year ... just kidding. what works is 2 weeks a year & 1 month a year for the rest of the family if 1 spouse is working. If both work, 1 parent & 1 kid can visit every year. once there, meet all relatives once, in one place rather than visiting 10+ people a day and getting stressed out & an upset stomach. go out on some local day trips. dont plan a multiday trip there - too stressful & too many uncertainties in travel/lodging.

once kids are older, going 2 mths a year is not possible since kids get bored there quickly after all they need to enjoy US summers too. in india they are the only ones on vacation and all kids their age are in school. costs need not be 10k. it is possible to get summer tkts w. reputable airlines for 5.2k for 4 adults if one leaves after jul 4 and returns in mid aug. add another 800 for shopping ;-)

however, after the india visit, be it 2 weeks or 2 months, a feeling always lingers for a week or so - "why did I come back to the US". perhaps the combination of india + vacation causes it.