Summer heat, must travel, advice needed.

steven_ber

Not sure if this thread is in the right place, and I know this kind of advice is available on other threads, but most of those threads are filled with "DON'T DO IT" comments.

In general, what advive would our members give to someone who must travel in areas that are extremely hot, eg. Rajastan in June.

How does a person cope with the heat?

What items may help to make the trip more comfortable? (eg. water, wet cap/cloth on head)

Is transport affected by the heat?

Should any form of transport be avoided at all costs?

Is Sleeper Class (trains) to be avoided at all costs?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

See also - Monsoon season, must travel, advice needed.

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puchoo

My first piece would be - KEEP HAVING WATER!

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shashank.aggarwal

I have done this many times, things might be different for you as your skin and system would be totally different from mine and add to that you are not used to Delhi heat. But still here are couple of things :

1. Water is prime importance, make sure that your stomach is filled with liquid all the times. Filled as in FILLED.
2. Eat small portions of food but at smaller intervals. Avoid large meals.
3. Whenever you have to wait make sure you do that in Shade.
4. Keep a Hand fan in your baggage, use it whenever you want.
5. Keep a hand towel with you.
6. Sprinkle water on your face and eyes as often as you can.

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Radjesh

Avoid spicy foods

Use air conditioned rooms and vehicles as much as possible

Carry active sun block creams or lotions

Tender water and butter milk are very good coolants for the body

steven_ber

Thanks for the info everyone, very useful.

puchoo

I have also from experience started carrying one more small item now - Lip Balm - lips tend to dry up very easily, atleast mine, and there's nothing like chapped lips in terms of irritation...

Haylo

In an asian food shop yesterday, I saw a small range of herbal drinks that said they had "special cooling properties" for hot weather.

Aside from finding it highly amusing that they were actually being sold in England, I wondered whether it was just marketing hype or whether there are foodstuffs which make it easier to deal with the heat?

puchoo

There are....drinks like butter milk , lassi , sweet/salt lime, aam ka panna (dont know what to call this in English) help out quite a bit in beating the heat....

There's also a drink called "Banta" found all over the place which is very popular in the summer....heat or not its a nice thing to have...

Nick-H

We take the juice of a lime, a little sugar and a little salt and add to our water bottle. I don't know its local name, but maybe what Puchoo's talking about.

It tastes good (I get fed up with plain water), is more refreshing, and will help with keeping the body hydrated, which needs sugar and salt as well as water.

There are all sorts of personal beliefs and different teachings from different systems as to whether it is more beneficial to drink hot,cold or warm fluids, and as to what foods my be 'heating' or 'cooling'. I'd take it all with a pinch of salt (and a little sugar ) and try it all and see what works for you! As for the 'special cooling drinks' in UK, your local Trading Standards Office might show an interest in them!

With one exception that is true, whether one likes it or not: alcohol is dehydrating!

Remember that the nose and toes are very easily burnt. One of those high-power sunblock sticks is good for the nose.

Remember to walk on the shady side of the road, and use an umbrella. Remember that, even on a cloudy day, the sun's UV rays are just as strong and damaging.

Remember to slow down. Demanding itineraries and plans for every day are just not a good idea --- although AC travel can mitigate that.

Listen to your body when it says it wants a day off, and be prepared to listen to your partner or family member when they say that going out that day is just not what they want. A day off can prevent heat shock/stroke --- which are very serious conditions.

It takes weeks and months for your body to adjust to a big change in climate, not days. Don't push it.

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BEDMUTHA SURENDRA P

YOyou use boil water ,avoid nonvege , you take banana.

edwardseco

A small battery powered fan is a lifesaver (NiHM rechatgable batteries)..

edwardseco

Nimbu pani as Nick seems to describe is great..

wonderwomanusa

I also vote for nimbu pani -- especially if you can get one sweetened with cane juice. Take one of those and drink it while sitting beneath a fan! Oh, and a wet bandana around your neck, under that same fan, will cool you down quickly.