Comments for the article "What not to take on your trip"

worthyquest

a sheet comes in handy! i've been in plenty of places where i wouldn't want to sleep on what was covering the mattress. and you can use them on sleeper trains as well. however, you don't need anything fancy, and you can also just buy two dupattas when you get there and use those. and though coils work great, i've come to appareciate plug-ins (no need to bring from home... plenty available in india)... a little less obviously toxic... use if staying someplace with a generator or someplace not expecting a power cut.

wonderwomanusa

That reminds me of THE POISONWOOD BIBLE and the things the family took to Africa. If you haven't read it, please put it on your list!

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The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

captaindom

One thing I use when I go camping is Dryer sheets (Bounce). It will repel mosquitoes, and keep your clothes/shoes/socks smelling great.
See below other uses for dryer sheets.


A sheet will repel mosquitoes on your patio. Hang a sheet when outdoors during the mosquito season.


Eliminates static electricity from your television and computer screen. Fabric softener sheets are designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television and computer screen with a used sheet to keep dust from resettling.


A sheet can be used to dissolve soap scum from shower doors, and the tile walls. Clean the surfaces with a sheet.


A fragranced sheet can be used to freshen the air in your home. Place an individual sheet in a drawer, hang one in the closet, locker at the health club, locker at work or under the seat of your car or truck. Leave several in the RV or camper while it's in storage.


A sewing needle run through a sheet prior to sewing, can prevent the thread from tangling.


A sheet left inside suitcase luggage or travel baggage can prevent musty odors. Place a single sheet inside the empty luggage before storing.


Fabric softener sheets are claimed to clean baked on foods from cooking pots and pans. Place a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight. Next morning sponge it clean. The antistatic agent apparently weakens the bond between the stuck on food between the pot or pans surface. The fabric softening agents helps to soften the baked on food.


Placing a sheet at the bottom of the wastebasket, helps eliminate odors found in wastebaskets. Placing an individual sheet at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper will accomplish the same results.


Collecting pet hairs. Rubbing the area with a sheet will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.


Eliminating static electricity from venetian blinds and window coverings. Wipe the blinds with a sheet is said to prevent dust from resettling.


Wiping up sawdust, on the shop workbench, from drilling or sandpapering is easy. A used sheet will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.


They will take the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.


Placing a sheet in your shoes or sneakers overnight, will help to deodorize them and as a result they will smell much better in the AM.

edwardseco

I think everybody will come to their own individual conclusions. While I agree that generally less is more. Some of the exclusions cited are just personal eccentricity. A nylon mesh net is light and coils are toxic as well as only partially effective. I never found a place where I could not hang a net with a resort to light nylon braded cord. And seriously, how much weight is saved by leaving a sink plug behind.?

Watson

I think a sheet is absolutely necessary. There was more than one time where I was happy to lay down my nice clean sheet between me and the sheet on the bed! Never brought a moskito net with me so I agree on that.

Sink plugs can actually be very useful especially when you want to wash your clothes. And come on!- a plug really dosn't take up that much space and costs next to nothing.

palerider

I took an iron on my first trip. Not entirely necessary.
A bath towel was equally insane.
A pair of business shoes, in case of a nice dinner invite?
A jumper, again not entirely needed in Summer in Bihar
Four pairs of socks??
I came back with none of the stuff I took, and a large bag of worthless tacky beautiful trinkets.
Blue green, glow light buddha
Om t shirts,3 only
Mad jewel encrusted Punjabi shoes for all my women friends.
Outrageous sunglasses, the envy of my neighbours
Glass bangles
Hair clips
necklaces

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I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

holikarang

oh yes, this time I'm also going to bring a suitcase full of things I can leave to some orphanage there and fill up with Indian stuff when I'll be back!!

I must say I had to buy a mosquito net when I was in Benares and I really made a good use of it, I think there is no need for a lot of clothes, you can have them in India for a great price.

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holikarang

palerider

I carted a bloody mosquito net around half of India, about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Never even got it unwrapped.
If I had a fan, I just didn't need it.

holikarang

I actually only used the net in Benares, where I baught it..

indiaprof

The most useless thing I took with me on my first trip to India was jeans. Waaay too hot. I ended up giving them away to a hotel worker in Delhi, who was delighted to have a brand new pair of genuine American Levis.

One of the most useful things I picked up in India was this electrical medal rod contraption for heating water in those metal buckets you sometimes get. Great for warm baths (when it was cold up north) and for laundry when you might need a little extra oomph from some warm water. I think it cost me Rs. 150, but that was over ten years ago.

Sufi

I still use a backpack because a suitcase is very difficult to get up and down stairs. My backpack is also stronger than the huge (typical) Japanese suitcase. My last trip with the suitcase (in addition to the backpack) it was so overloaded the airline wouldn't even let me pay extra to take it. I moved stuff around (hey, I carry a lot of beer!) but the suitcase never really recovered from that trip! NO - this wasn't a trip to India!

Sufi

Yeah - in Japan it's a question of omiyage - you HAVE to bring "gifts" to everybody you know - and some you didin't know you knew! Space for gifts 75%, our stuff 25%.

palerider

I'm with Indiaprof. I forgot about my best friend , the heating coil.
120 rupees of luxury!!
Who cares if there's no hot water?. just plug in , and a bucket of hot water is there in minutes.
Just don't put your hand in the bucket while it's turned on, it ain't pretty!!

That and a spare dhoti, and I found a tiny pillow(10 x 6 inches).
Sleeper trains are no problem now.

So when I come to India now, I have a small sports bag.
A few pairs of undies, couple of shirts, a spare pair of cotton pants and sandals.
It really is a lot easier. No waiting at airports, no hassle with trying to manouver them on and off trains etc.

livingmagically

It's best to travel as light as possible and take a small rucksack to make walking round and traveling on buses and trains easy.

Mosquito nets can be very useful if you stay in Goa. They tend to come out in full force at sundown so insect repellent is also wise to take, although you can buy it when you are there.

The sheets always seem clean even when you stay somewhere very basic. I usually take a Tibetan blanket with me which can roll up small and you can also wear it as a shawl.

kevin_Bkk

The best travel advice I ever got was to take half the things that you think are necessary and twice the money. This advice has stood me in good stead.

A sheet is a must, because , as has been said, some beds you would not want to lay your body against. Jeans, yes, a must. They stand up to incredible wear and need minimal maintainance. I wear them for three weeks if necessary without washing (so what, if I they smell a bit?) plus, maybe a second pair of pants - an optionl luxuary. Shirts three, to allow for washing. You could get by with two because, in India there is always a speedy washing service. I wear Camel brand outdoor shirts, kaki colour with lots of pockets and are virtually indestructible. Socks two pairs, for wearing with stout walking shoes (often needed), which I wear, not pack. Otherwise I buy sandals there. Undies, three pairs. You can wash them in the hotel bathroom if necessary. I use boxers that double as sleepwear even swimwear.( I bathed in the hot spring at Rajgir in my boxers and no one took offence) A toothbrush, and some sun block. Paracetamol, Imodium (against diarrhea) lots of it, it’s hideous to be caught out on a train, for example, without it, and, a course of antibiotics (best to have them to hand.) One book, a travel guide perhaps, but no more. That is it; all else is luxuary, but one can allow oneself the odd, light luxury object as well.

When I go on pilgrimage, as I usually do, I need to wear white so I have to take two sets, as well, to this I add one luxuary, a white lightweight blanket, which is multi purpose, it can be the sheet if necessary, or a wrap around to keep me warm on chilly mornings or evenings (however, last year I bought these there. I had to wear a dhoti too, but, in which I looked ridiculous)

That’s my one bag minimum. In addition I take my photographic equipment, which is an added bind, but necessary.

When I was young I trudged all over Europe and North Africa with a suit and a pair of smart shoes in the bottom of my pack, just in case I was invited anywhere nice. I never was of course. On my last trip to India I took a big case because I stayed with friends in Sri Lanka before and , as a guest, I misunderstood what would be necessary. I felt so damn ridiculous at Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Gaya , as aged little porters with skinny legs tottered under the weight of that stupid case. I had to look the other way and pretend it wasn’t mine. It was a protection against theft, of course. What thief could run with that load of garbage? Packing is a neurotic thing. Our anxiety impinges on our sanity and we long to take comfort objects with us. The only answer, is stoic discipline, I think. I am going again this year. I am resolved to stick to my basics as stated above. Can anyone think of anything ,I have left out? (Oh my god! I’m getting anxious again, maybe I will just pack that electric hair dryer.)