Can you help me pack?

guerik · Oct 27th, 2005, 11:04

Depending where you are and at what time of year, you might not even need a towel. When I went down to Kerala, I left my towel behind my accident and found that in the heat, an old cotton dupatta or lungi works just as well!

PeakXV · Oct 27th, 2005, 20:19

http://onebag.com is a very useful site. It has some great tips for travelling right and light. I thought that I had that part of the travel procedure down pat but managed to pick up a couple of neat tricks here.

Aussie 5 · Oct 28th, 2005, 06:34

Peak XV - very comprehensive but generic site for travellers. Thanks I'll give it a good look over the next few days.

Adriane&Salvador · Oct 28th, 2005, 10:51

Last time I was in India the one thing I would have killed for- a good scrub soap for my face. Maybe you can buy these things in larger cities but I was in small towns and it was not available. I am not a clean freak but I had no idea how dusty India was and I figured I would eliminate all those "girly" things in favor of packing a little lighter. But I spent my whole trip scrubbing ineffectively at my face with towels, trying to feel clean- no luck. This time I will be packing lots of small tubes of my favorite one! Dpending on your itenerary, and skin type, etc., you might want to consider it- you can always throw it away if you don't want it later...

Wazen · Oct 29th, 2005, 15:32

What do you guys think about packing your own toilet paper...

Is the toilet paper in India rough compared to the US?

camelgirl · Oct 31st, 2005, 01:53

This topic always makes me laugh, sorry! Maybe because when I started traveling to India 30 yrs. ago there was virtually no toilet paper anywhere but luxury hotels (where we'd "borrow" some from the hotel loos!) and if they did have it, it was awful. But then again, 30 yrs. ago the toilet paper in England was like little squares wax paper (in public loos).

We brought tissues or toilet papers rolls which you took the center tube out of and pushed flat for easy carrying. BUT that said, within a week or so, we got used to doing it the Indian way....water & left hand and then wash your hand.

Still done that way in lots of places but with more tourists and more westernized Indians, it's pretty easy to find toilet paper now. I still bring nice soft tissues in a plastic bag to be used for head colds or toilets

cyberhippie · Oct 31st, 2005, 01:56

Toilet paper is readily available these days so don't stress!! It's a bit rough but so is travel on the Sub-continent!!

TracyB · Oct 31st, 2005, 05:08

I am taking lots of toilet paper, because last time we were in India, the rolls in the hotels were so small, that we were continuously calling room service for more..And sometimes, it was in the middle of the night when we ran out, and there was no body available to bring us any....Plus, i just like it on me, in case of an emergency, or if it is that time of the month, and you just can't do without it..I have just packed my suitcase as we are leaving in a few days and have thrown in 4 huge rolls!!

Wazen · Oct 31st, 2005, 12:13

Since your claming its pretty rough,
then ill be sure to bring my own small supply,
because after all,
I will end up with delhi belly!

TimMakins · Nov 28th, 2005, 17:06

I'm not a big fan of those tek-towels, either. I prefer something that scrubs the dead skin off as well as absorbing water, after a shower. It doesn't need to be too big, though - 'hand-towel' size is great.

TP - yes its available in India, but may not be to the quality you are happy with. My suggestion is to take plenty, then as it gets used up, you can replace the space in your bag with souvenirs.

You might also like to have a look at my packing list with comments:

http://www.mapability.com/travel/pack.html

It discusses packing, and some thoughts about each item.

Tim, currently in Ireland.

TimMakins · Nov 28th, 2005, 17:09

Whoops I forgot to mention the traveller's greatest friend: a tube of pure Aloe Vera gel. Its great for sunburn, and all kinds of skin irritations. If you get a bad dose of the runs, and your bottom is a bit sore, AV clears that up quickly too.

Don't leave home without it.

TracyB · Nov 28th, 2005, 19:57

Having just got back from India, (Kerala), I am glad i brought my own TP again...I can't believe how small they make the rolls!!

And it is a little rough..We used most of what we brought and I would bring it again!!

Nick-H · Nov 28th, 2005, 21:29

What Sensitive backsides us Westerners have!

But Indian toilet paper is better than stuff back in the 50's that was neither soft nor absorbent! Whoever thought it was a good idea to make toilet paper shiny needed their head (or something) examining! Izal, wasn't it? Or Bronco maybe.

traceyam · Nov 29th, 2005, 02:35

You can always buy Kleenex instead of toilet paper and use that. It's generally a lot softer.

Sama · Nov 29th, 2005, 04:11

I brought TP with me and barely used any of it, since 99.9% of the places I went to had western toilets with TP. I also carried lots of tissues with me just in case. I donated my remaining TP (among other things) to a woman's shelter when I left.

I highly recommend bringing some Oil of Olay facial wipes, they were like heaven on my face. I did not bring, but found it in a store in Chennai, a "natural" exfoliating soap for my heels/feet. Contained citrus rind, not pumice, for exfoliation, and the shape was similar to a foot brush so it would not slip out of your hand when in the shower. Worked wonders after walking around for 12 hours in bare feet! Then slather your heels with Himalaya Herbals Foot Cream....

Oct 27th, 2005, 20:19	#32
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,047	packing tricks http://onebag.com is a very useful site. It has some great tips for travelling right and light. I thought that I had that part of the travel procedure down pat but managed to pick up a couple of neat tricks here. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Nov 28th, 2005, 21:29	#43
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,886	What Sensitive backsides us Westerners have! But Indian toilet paper is better than stuff back in the 50's that was neither soft nor absorbent! Whoever thought it was a good idea to make toilet paper shiny needed their head (or something) examining! Izal, wasn't it? Or Bronco maybe. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Nov 29th, 2005, 02:35	#44
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	You can always buy Kleenex instead of toilet paper and use that. It's generally a lot softer. __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Nov 29th, 2005, 04:11	#45
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,205	I brought TP with me and barely used any of it, since 99.9% of the places I went to had western toilets with TP. I also carried lots of tissues with me just in case. I donated my remaining TP (among other things) to a woman's shelter when I left. I highly recommend bringing some Oil of Olay facial wipes, they were like heaven on my face. I did not bring, but found it in a store in Chennai, a "natural" exfoliating soap for my heels/feet. Contained citrus rind, not pumice, for exfoliation, and the shape was similar to a foot brush so it would not slip out of your hand when in the shower. Worked wonders after walking around for 12 hours in bare feet! Then slather your heels with Himalaya Herbals Foot Cream.... __________________ *My India, 2005-2008*

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Oct 27th, 2005, 11:04	#31
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	Depending where you are and at what time of year, you might not even need a towel. When I went down to Kerala, I left my towel behind my accident and found that in the heat, an old cotton dupatta or lungi works just as well!

Oct 28th, 2005, 06:34	#33
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Peak XV - very comprehensive but generic site for travellers. Thanks I'll give it a good look over the next few days.

Oct 28th, 2005, 10:51	#34
Adriane&Salvador Hola! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 68	Last time I was in India the one thing I would have killed for- a good scrub soap for my face. Maybe you can buy these things in larger cities but I was in small towns and it was not available. I am not a clean freak but I had no idea how dusty India was and I figured I would eliminate all those "girly" things in favor of packing a little lighter. But I spent my whole trip scrubbing ineffectively at my face with towels, trying to feel clean- no luck. This time I will be packing lots of small tubes of my favorite one! Dpending on your itenerary, and skin type, etc., you might want to consider it- you can always throw it away if you don't want it later...

Oct 29th, 2005, 15:32	#35
Wazen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii Posts: 264	What do you guys think about packing your own toilet paper... Is the toilet paper in India rough compared to the US?

Oct 31st, 2005, 01:53	#36
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 983	This topic always makes me laugh, sorry! Maybe because when I started traveling to India 30 yrs. ago there was virtually no toilet paper anywhere but luxury hotels (where we'd "borrow" some from the hotel loos!) and if they did have it, it was awful. But then again, 30 yrs. ago the toilet paper in England was like little squares wax paper (in public loos). We brought tissues or toilet papers rolls which you took the center tube out of and pushed flat for easy carrying. BUT that said, within a week or so, we got used to doing it the Indian way....water & left hand and then wash your hand. Still done that way in lots of places but with more tourists and more westernized Indians, it's pretty easy to find toilet paper now. I still bring nice soft tissues in a plastic bag to be used for head colds or toilets

Oct 31st, 2005, 01:56	#37
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	Toilet paper is readily available these days so don't stress!! It's a bit rough but so is travel on the Sub-continent!!

Oct 31st, 2005, 05:08	#38
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 335	I am taking lots of toilet paper, because last time we were in India, the rolls in the hotels were so small, that we were continuously calling room service for more..And sometimes, it was in the middle of the night when we ran out, and there was no body available to bring us any....Plus, i just like it on me, in case of an emergency, or if it is that time of the month, and you just can't do without it..I have just packed my suitcase as we are leaving in a few days and have thrown in 4 huge rolls!!

Oct 31st, 2005, 12:13	#39
Wazen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wahiawa, Hawaii Posts: 264	Since your claming its pretty rough, then ill be sure to bring my own small supply, because after all, I will end up with delhi belly!

Nov 28th, 2005, 17:09	#41
TimMakins Surprised and Delighted by Life Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pestalozzi International Village, E.Sussex, UK Posts: 949	Whoops I forgot to mention the traveller's greatest friend: a tube of pure Aloe Vera gel. Its great for sunburn, and all kinds of skin irritations. If you get a bad dose of the runs, and your bottom is a bit sore, AV clears that up quickly too. Don't leave home without it.

Nov 28th, 2005, 19:57	#42
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 335	Having just got back from India, (Kerala), I am glad i brought my own TP again...I can't believe how small they make the rolls!! And it is a little rough..We used most of what we brought and I would bring it again!!

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