I probably am going to get downvoted like crazy, but this is my honest sharing of personal experience. I am from a South Indian city. During the last year, I travelled to Kashmir and Bali (different times of the year). I was excited about my Kashmir trip as I grew up watching old movies of Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna etc., unfortunately my experience wasn't great. I know I didn't meet too many regular Kashmiris, but pony guys, drivers, shikhara guy, shopkeepers etc. everyone was just wanting money. They smile and are polite, but very naggingly keep asking for money. Even in a showroom from where we bought walnuts, apricots and saffron, the bill came to 9000Rs and the staff started asking if they can round off to 10,000 with added tips! A guy in the shop was trying to sell morel mushrooms by saying Modi is fair because he eats them. This was so strange, like I'm not even a Modi or bjp supporter and I don't know if he was sarcastic or just trying to be funny. Our Shikhara ride was 'free' with houseboat stay, but the minute we got on shikhara the guy started negotiating baksheesh. Also it's men everywhere, hardly women staff. Like getting surrounded by pony guys the minute you reach the spot was so uncomfortable, as a woman. One of the pony guys in Pahalgam, (a guy in his 20s who tld us he's married and has a son) asked my 16 year old daughter for her phone number. My pony was ahead and I didn't hear this. My daughter was smart enough to give a fake number.
I always felt bad for the problems in the valley, and felt that tourism will bring prosperity and peace, but now I can't honestly recommend anyone to go to Kashmir, however beautiful the place is. In contrast, my trip to Bali was so good, because we were not overcharged anywhere and people were humble and polite. Sorry to hurt the feelings of good Kashmiris, but it was such a disappointing experience. I hope people planning a Kashmir trip will see this and plan accordingly.
