Thursday, January 19, 2006

Recommendations of what to bring

Suitcase size recommendation: 21 Inch
Backpack size recommendation: "Fanny Pack, Daypack or Backpack


Travel:
The rule for travel is as follows:
- Comfort: Wear loose clothing that will provide you with the maximum comfort for sitting (still) for long periods. Avoid things with belts or constrictions as your lmbs will expand and contract with long periods of sitting, atmospheric changes, etc
- Warmth: Airplanes and airports are notoriously cold. India, however, is notoriously hot. So plan to have at least one layer of clothing that is easy to put on and/or remove to adjust with the variation.
- Clean: Wear something that won't look dirty easily....even when it is. It's hard to travel for 36 hours on planes, trains and automobiles without spilling things on yourself, sweating, sitting or walking through things, or in general just having things be gross by the time you arrive. Wearing crispy whie clothing that broadcasts spills easily, therefore, or anything that falls in that same category, is not recommended.
- Bring plenty of books, magazines and other distractions, and bring enough for both legs of the journey. Hard cre people who "only bring their Bible" are usually on the brink of insanity by the time they get back home:-)

Worksite for Women:
- "Disposible" T-shirts - no V neck, scoop neck, off the shoulder or tank tops
- Punjab
- Kakhis/Dockers
- Jeans
- Construction Apron
- No Shorts

Worksite for Men:
- "Disposible" T-shirts - no V neck or tank-tops
- Kakhis/Dockers
- Jeans
- Shorts

Work Site Items:
- Work gloves

General:
- Breatheable, comfortable socks. Athletic socks (such as Thorlo) are great if you have them.
- Don't skimp on underwear unless you're a masochist

Evening Wear:
- Punjab (purchase in country for about $5/outfit)
- Kakhis/Dockers
- Nice shirt (men: with collar, preferably long-sleeved, button-down)
- Skirt/Sari/Punjab for Women
- 1 set of nice clothing (i.e. for women: one long skirt and blouse, for me: one time for "just in case" that will go with your "nice shirt" mentioned above.)

Shoes:
- Tennis Shoes (for travel or evening)
- Workboots or Trailboots (for worksite)
Note: Make sure all shoes are easy to get in and out of

Bathroom Items:
- Toliet Paper (Charmin "travel rolls" are great!)
- Kleenex (travel size)
- Soap/Shampoo (travel size)
- Wet wipes (anti-bacterial are best)
- Anti-bacterial gel (several small containers are better than one giant one)
- Hairbrush/Comb
- If you wear glasses, make sure you have a spare pair
- If you wear contacts, make sure you bring a spare pair, plus lots of supplies (saline, etc)
- Deoderant - Gel or White
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Items for Women
- 1 small/med sized towel

Food Item:
- Beef Jerky
- Peanuts
- Trail Mix
- Water
- Granola
- Gaterade Powder
- Salt Tablets/Electrolytes/Table salt
- Multi-Vitamin (Flintstones are fine)

Other Items:
- Wide brim hat
- Sunglasses - but don't bring your Oakleys....bring something that can get smashed, scratched, smeared and sat upon
- Bandana
- Bible/Pen/Paper
- Trashbags - or "Martins" bags
- Ziploc bags - the larger the better
- Fanny Pack or "day pack" backpack
- Ear plugs
- Digital or other camera along with spare film, cards, batteries, or whatever you need to operate it
- 2 prong power adapter for India
- Power converter
- Scrub brush
- Laundry bar soap
- Batter operated alarm clock
- A small travel journal to record thoughts, ideas and impressions

Money:
- You'll probably want between $100-200 of personal spending money. The exchange rate is about $1=40 Rupees. Prices vary radically depeding on what you're buying and where, but most people find that $100-200 is ample for what one person can bring home.
- Most people recommend a "money belt"of some sort that you can keep on your person. The canvas "under the shirt pouch" style is popular.
- Whatever you do, try to keep your money from being all in the same place. Spread it out....just don't forget where you put it:-)

Medical Items:
- Anti-malarial medication
- Advil/IB Profin/Tylenol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Q-tips (travel size)
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Bandaids
- Anti-gas (Gas-X)
- Anti-nausea (Pepto)
- Anti-diarhea (Immodium AD)
- Activated Charoal (you don't HAVE to bring this.....just a suggestion)
- "No Jet Lat" tablets (Optional). You can find them at drugstore.com
- Sunblock (highest SPF you can find, and MAKE SURE IT'S WATERPROOF OR "SPORT" VARIANT)
- Aloe or sunburn treatment gel
- Cortaid topical steriodal/anti-itch cream (this is particularly important if you have sensitivity to bug bites)
- Benadryl (tablets are best)
- Sleep aid (such as Dramamine or Tylenol PM)
- Prescription Allergy medications (if you take them regularly here in the US)
- Mosquito and Insect Repellant

**This is not a definitive....pack for YOU...and stay tuned as we will probably continue to add things along the way.

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