Necessaries for traveling in india

Basic:

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* Clothing

* Mosquito net

Standard types are available in Mayapur and bigger Indian cities for

relatively low prices. In European countries they can be purchased from

camping stores. The price is around 100 DM. They need lines and support.

In some countries (notably Germany) they sell very good standalone nets

based on the dome-tent principle, with two light weight aluminum or

glass-fiber sticks. An additional advantage is that they have a floor

part connected to the net.

* Sleeping bag

Nights in India can be cool outside of the summer season. Besides that,

it's a good way to keep mosquitoes at a distance.

* Sleeping mat

* Suitcase, back-pack, travel bag

Extended:

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* Alarm clock

* Cooking device

If you plan to cook for yourself. For devices on gasoil the best brand

is Primus, but you can also buy the local Indian type, though they are

not really small. Another option is the electric cooking plate.

* Hang locks

For your bags and the entrance of your residence.

* Money belt

Take the flat type that one wears under the clothes.

* Nylon line (about 10 m, 2 mm thick)

Multi-purpose, but mainly used for hanging laundry.

* Pocket knife

Multi-purpose. Don't carry it in your hand luggage when flying. Customs

will demand it to be transported separately, and that is a trip you

wouldn't want to get into.

* Pocket torch

Preferably use a good brand. You may pay a little more, but it is

definitely worth it. Take a small and handy type with easily available

or rechargeable batteries. MagLite (Mini) and Pelican (MityLite) supply

good torches.

* Sun glasses

* Water bottle

Try to avoid aluminum, it causes a myriad of diseases.

* Water boiler

Not only for making soup or tea. Nowadays even the bottled water cannot

be trusted anymore. Better boil it first before use. If you travel

a lot, consider a hand boiler. This is a small spiral that you dip into

a container of water. Otherwise it might be more practical to use an

intergrated boiler for either 1.5 or 0.5 liters. This is a teflon

pitcher with a built-in spiral, thermostate and overheating protection.

They boil 1 liter of water in 3.5 minutes and shut of automatically.

Handy:

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* Battery charger

Solar battery chargers are relatively cheap and nicely adopted to the

Indian climate.

* Calculator

* Camera

* Compass

* Portable alarm

* Small multi-meter

And *some* knowledge of electronics...

* Small toolkit

Like a hand piece with bit collection, a tool clip (SOG, Gerber, Al

Mar), or an officer's knife (Victorinox, Wenger, Adler)

* Travel mate

A small information book with travel and country information and a mini

atlas.

* Wall socket adaptor

* Woolen hat and big, thick woolen socks

No chance for mosquitoes, who go mainly for the thin skin on the head,

feet and ankles.

MEDICAL

Standard:

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* Insect repellent

Take something dimethylphtalaat or diethylmetatoluamide based, like

the Swedish "Jungle Olja." Other preparates will just disappoint you.

* Malaria prophylaxe

Take a vaccination before you leave, and preferably some chloroquine

tablets during your stay.

* Personal medicines

Especially if you have diabetes, asthma, allergies, or other disorders

that require a regular intake of medicines.

* Vaccinations

Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended for India.

Please don't take these diseases lightly, they can ruin the rest of your

life.

First aid kit:

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* Active coal

For stomach and intestinal disorders, poisonings and diarrhea.

* Anti sunburn

Take a lotion or balsam with a high UV-filter value.

* Anti-diarrhea

Preferably Imodium based. Note: don't take this type of medicine when

you have dysentery, since it slows down your bowel movement.

* Bandage

At least some emergency bandage.

* Disinfectant

Iodine or alcohol based disinfectants are often not strong enough.

Hexamedine transcutane (mainly used for infections under finger nails)

or sprayable anti-biotics like Bivacyn (used in surgery) are very good

alternatives.

* Gauzes

* Kerosine

Just a small amount in a little bottle with a dropper to easily get rid

of leeches and tics.

* Painkillers

Aspirine, paracetamol, alvedon, distalgesic, etc.

* Pincers

* Plasters

* Pooshak

This is an, often locally available, Ayur Vedic medicine in sirup form

for sev0ere dysentery. Instant relief, and preventive when taken regularly

in small doses.

* Scissors

OFFICIAL PAPERS

* Identity card

* Insurance papers

* Other identification papers

* Passport

* Personal medical information

* Personal medicine prescriptions

* Vaccination information

HINTS AND TIPS

* Make photocopies of all your travel documents, especially your passport.

It saves you lots of trouble in case the originals get stolen.

* Carry your valuables on two places. Put the money you expect to use

during the day in a visible wallet hanging round your neck or in an

obvious money belt round your waist, and keep the rest of your money and

your documents hidden in a money belt under your clothes.

* Confirm your retour tickets asap after your arrival.

* Buy at least a quarter of your money legally.

* If you need medications regularly, take an adequate supply with you.

Better too much than too little.

* If you have diabetes, allergies, asthma or any condition that may

require emergency care, ALWAYS carry some identification (tag, bracelet or

card) indicating this and prescriptions of the medicines. Preferably also

carry a letter from your physician.

* If you are planning to go somewhere alone or together with someone else,

inform authorities or friends or the group you came with of your plans,

destination(s) and expected return date.