I know I'm not Paul Graham, but since we're on the subject...
I'm very excited and am actually going for two weeks in May/June for a class to Delhi, Mumbai, and maybe Jaipur/Agra on the way for a day or so. Any recommendations besides the obvious things everyone does/sees?
Whoa... Delhi/Jaipur in May/June? That's probably the worst time to visit the north. I was there this year in May, and the temperatures were regularly over 45C (113F) during the day. It's hot, Hot, HOT in May/June. If you're not accustomed to that level of heat, you'll have a tough time.
I've only spent about a week in India (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur). It was a good trip, but not necessarily 'fun'.
If there is one thing I learnt (as a caucasian), it is that anyone who talks to you on the street (who doesn't have an obvious reason to be there like a shop keeper with merchandise) is probably trying to scam you. Trying to buy a train ticket to Agra from Delhi was a nightmare; we ended up organising a taxi through our hotel. It was hard going from being used to trusting directions and advice from strangers at home, but I got over that pretty quick.
Also, carry plenty of small change; anyone who does absolutely anything at all for you will expect a tip.
I can really only speak for Mumbai, as I've visited Delhi only as a tourist myself a handful of times.
The charm of Mumbai is on the streets. The street food, the markets, walking on Marine Drive etc. If you let me know when you're coming and some way to contact you, I'd love to grab a drink and show you a few interesting places in the city.
Wow thanks for all the responses everyone. I am actually going with a few other students for a college class and am not sure how much freedom we have (to go and grab drinks etc) but I will let those who offered to meetup know when I find out.
It is actually a finance class and we are going to look at some publicly traded companies, but Startup Saturday sounds awesome. I am going to go and talk to my professor and see if we can all attend in either Delhi or Mumbai (depending on our schedule). It would be great to be able to check out some smaller and newer companies as well as the larger and more established ones already scheduled, at least that's the argument I'll make with my professor. And it just looks like a lot of fun.
If you can take a trip into Punjab, it's breathtaking to take a walk in the morning fog amongst the irrigation canals and fields of crop. If you have any local friends it's a lot of fun to visit places like that which you wouldn't normally visit.
There's really so much to do that you can't do it in two weeks, but be sure to explore as much as you can. Careful with the food, though, some of it may not be so great for your stomach.
If your are going to Mumbai, don't miss the street food. Especially the vada pavs. And you must absolutely take a ride in the local trains! Save the touristy stuff for later.
I'm very excited and am actually going for two weeks in May/June for a class to Delhi, Mumbai, and maybe Jaipur/Agra on the way for a day or so. Any recommendations besides the obvious things everyone does/sees?