Am I now Completely Mad ( longish post)

Don't cancel! India is fabulous and it will be a memorable experience, food won't be an issue as it is often not hot and spicey, great veggie food which may be your best option, wish I was going with you! Enjoy yourself and don't worry about your children, why shouldn't you spend your money? If they want something let them save for it as, no doubt, you have had to for things you wanted.

grannylyn, under NO circumstances must you cancel that much needed, and WELL earned holiday. You have looked after everyone else it seems, and put your own needs aside. Now it is your turn and it is long, long overdue
As other GN's have said, drink bottled water only ( even use it for cleaning your teeth ) and take Loperamide with you just in case you do get a funny tummy.
Other than that, get out there and enjoy what will be a truly fascinating experience , it will do you the world of good. Please, please, tell us about it when you return.
Have a wonderful time grannylyn.✈️☀️.

Go for it, enjoy the expercience. You and you alone have worked and done your bit. Time to enjoy your your retirement and think of yourself

I definitely think you should go away somewhere but, if you can't eat curry, I don't think India is a good idea. According to my daughter, who luckily loves curry, it was spicy food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Her one tip is don't eat meat as you son't be sure what it is. Maybe your trip is more geared up to Westerners but maybe worth finding out about the food situation. But, whatever you do, go somewhere you deserve it.

I admire you, you are not mad, you've got spirit. Have a great time and forget ungrateful children.

Go!
Have a great time!

Go for it, girl. You certainly deserve it. No you are not mad, just coming to your senses. Enjoy yourself and then tell us all about it when you come home.

Ooh grannylyn i am doing the self same thing. When are you going? I am going Nov 2017 and shall be there for my 65th birthday. Never thought i would do something so exotic in my life!!! Please lets us know when you are going and how it goes. I am going with Newmarket Holidays and doing the golden triangle tour. I can not wait, but i have to, to save up for it. Well done you, we all have to do something which has been a dream at least once in our lives. Enjoy!!!!

Go for it! India is superb. Completely different but amazing. As someone else said if you're staying in decent hotels the food will be international and you don't have to eat curry - or even spicy- if you don't want to. If you haven't already seen them, the films Best Exotic Hotel Marigold 1 and 2 will give you a very good idea of what to expect.
As to your children, surely at 40+ they're old enough to look after themselves and not to expect you to continue to support them. So don't feel guilty, you've obviously worked hard for your savings so go and enjoy them.

Oh yes go. You give no reason why you should not go and every reason why you should. It is only a holiday. You deserve a holiday more than most it seems to me.

Go for it and enjoy!!!

Go and don't look back! Looking forward to hearing all about your experience

Go for it we haven't been able to travel due to health issues but hopefully our time will come like others have said your sons are grown and make their own choices and like most of us you have helped them so don't feel guilty its your money ✈️ ?

You are more likely to have trouble with International Buffet-style food kept warm for hours in the hotel dining room than with Indian food, but do beware of salads and anything that has needed washing. Much street food is deep-fried and unlikely to upset you. Drink Coke and water WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN OPENED IN FRONT OF YOU as in some places bottles get refilled. Your doctor might prescribe you a low-dosage antibiotic to take every day as a precaution.Above all, go, and enjoy.

Go for it and enjoy ! You never know what the future holds and you have done enough for everyone else Now its your turn. Just one word of advice re your son ...make sure you lock everything up and notify the Police you will be away ....just in case. Make sure all your insurances are up to date ....and make sure your holiday insurer knows about your condition, as if you don't tell them, they will probably refuse to pay if you do need any treatment (which I am sure you won't with all the advice you have been given on here ! Drink only bottled water making sure the seal is intact !) ....don't worry, just do it ! (there was a series on tv, think it was mentioned here, the Real Marigold Hotel ...looked really lovely ! If OH didn't have early onset dementia and I was the only person to make sure he is ok, I'd be on the next plane !

Do it!!!! ?????

Sounds fabulous, Grannylyn. I'd love to go but the OH won't hear of it. I suppose I could go on my own. I am

I am so pleased that you are doing this for you. We all spend too much time helping and being kind to others we find it hard to be helping ourselves and making sure that we get he rewards.
Go and enjoy your trip. Your stomach problems will be a worry as would a lot of other health problems. One piece of advice I would give is to get some details of your condition translated into all languages for the areas you will visit, together with medications details and the contact detail of your consultant. You definitely should load up with Immodium and Dioralyte. The info re lime juice and soda is good. If you have an alert card for your condition keep that handy too. Definitely get insurance fast.
I hope you will have a brilliant time and a great adventure. Don't worry about the "kids" you have done your best for them and remember you have earned this break.
Give us all the details! (Oh heck did I really type that)

Final bit of advice from me. Don't take too many clothes as you are almost certain to do some shopping. I come back with leather handbags and cotton clothes.

And you too, ruby. I love your positivity. I KNOW you will enjoy your stay. Think they might be kept busy stocking up the minibar?.

Good for you-go for it?
Life's too short and all that!

When are you going. Then we can do a countdown with you x

On caravan and camping sites we often meet single retired people touring in small motor homes with their dog for company (sometimes a cat). With a pet passport they can get quite a long way - although probably very few make it to India!

Bon voyage!

On a very pared down version, I have booked into a lovely hotel for 3 nights for when I take my son to University. I will enjoy the mini bar if I feel like it, have room service and take advantage of anything else that will be luxurious. I have deserved it.

I too wish I could go to India, but illness keeps me in this country along with my beloved doggie. But it sounds idyllic, I'm well jel!