Just over a month before I leave

amogasiddhi · Jan 5th, 2005, 06:39

Folks, it's slowly dawning on me that i'm going to India in just over a month (12th Feb), for three months (9th May). Mixed feelings abound. I've started to put stuff into the sack i'll be carrying and it already seems cluttered. It sure would be nice to have someone around who likes to travel light-ish as most of my friends take way too much stuff with them, by my standards.
I know this is one of 'those' postings, the type which has been asked a thousand times before but the need for reassurance seems to be echoing about my head and it's somewhat unnerving me, so I thought I'd ask you for your opinions.

Route subject to change: Feb: Mumbai (a week), Nagpur/ Raipur (2 days), Varanasi (till it gets too much) March: Varanasi-Delhi-Shimla-Dharamsala April/ May: Dharamsala then home.

Got: Sack (Karrimor Global 50-70l) ,Torch (orf me bike), Boots for 'up north', sandals (for the hot bit before going 'up north'), penknife/multi-tool (never know when you'll need a pair of pliers), shaver & power lead, digital camera/ spare battery/ charger, 35mm compact, ear plugs, LP guide, blues harp...

Need to get: Base layer for Dharamsala in April/May, Insurance (suggestions for UK?), Jabs tomorrow (aaarrrghhh!), adapter plug (which one?), a UK bank account which charges less than 5% per transaction, TC's £'s, I had a thought that it would be nice to take something with me to give generously to someone as i know that most of the folk i'll meet will be like-minded but i can only think of Marmite, First aid type stuff ( I have a general idea though Clove oil came to mind yesterday for toothache etc),

Let me know what you think. I know it's a bit boring for most but I appreciate it.

Thanks

Darwin · Jan 5th, 2005, 21:03

hi mate!
I'll be off to India in 3 weeks for 3-4 months!!
my first trip, so I'm not too sure what to bring either, but after reading ppl's advice on this site, I decided to bring:

- a mosquito net
- a smaller bag for day trips
- a small padlock
- a mini chess-board for the train journeys
- a rail map printed off the web

and a few other bits and bobs.
I hope that helps! Might see you around somewhere along the trip. I should be around Dharamsala around April-May!

Have fun!

Jan 5th, 2005, 21:41

do bring a chain to put the padlock to good use - while trains usually have some sort of "ring-and-steel-wire" system to help secure luggages, they sometimes dont and a chain is needed. the chain is passed through a part of the framework of metal, holding up the lower berth and then through the handle of the suitcase, before using the lock.

all the best!! hope you have fun in your india trip.

Matty Gee · Jan 5th, 2005, 21:58

Here's a few more things
CONDOMS!
TRAIN TIME TABLES http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
TORCH (Flashlight)
BATTERIES
MP3 WALKMAN (Book of MP3 Discs) This will let you play local music you buy!
8 BAND SW RADIO
BAG OF COINS FROM YOUR COUNTRY (For kids)
SOME UK £ IN CASH (Indians like pounds)

Matty Gee · Jan 5th, 2005, 22:01

DON'T BUY AN ADAPTOR PLUG

Go to the local Bizlee Mahal and buy a local plug.

(Two Pin as in Mainland Europe) (210v)

Less stuff=more space.

Try to get one with a fuse.

I'd only use an adaptor if it was something very valuable like a Camcorder or Laptop..... Just to make sure.

amogasiddhi · Jan 6th, 2005, 05:42

Had my jabs today and it was fine until about 9pm, now I have a bruised feeling on both arms.
Picked up a nice base layer top today.
I thought that the high-tensile, steel-wired, plastic-coated bike leash would do the trick. It's not beyond being cut by bolt croppers though it would be a deterrent. Padlock shopping tomorrow.
Condoms? chance would be a fine thing

I have a minidisc player but wasn't thinking of taking it with me as it'll add to the clutter/ risk factor.
TC's next week......and Insurance too though I'm still a little stuck with that one.

Darwin, let me know your plans or contact details so that we could meet up and have a few.

1 month 7 days and counting....I think?!?!

Darwin · Jan 6th, 2005, 09:10

Let's keep in touch through this thread.

See you later

amogasiddhi · Jan 14th, 2005, 02:19

two combination padlocks, one small one for the main zip on my pack and one medium for locking my pack to a train/ bus/ self/ inside doors...the list is endless....oh and a silk bag liner too, teal in colour.....insurance...nearly. ..credit card, they're falling over themselves to give me one.

More later

amogasiddhi · Jan 15th, 2005, 03:32

This logic led me to unpack and re-pack. Now i can fit the day pack which would have been zipped onto the outside of my travel sack into my travel sack. It weighs 4 kilos empty and seven-ish with my stuff. I even measured it to see if I could take it as cabin baggage. If all the dimensions in inches add up to 45 or less it's possible, sometimes. Mine adds up to 42!!!!! woo-Hooo!!!!

amogasiddhi · Jan 19th, 2005, 05:20

25 days to go!!!!!!!!!! Now i'm pacing up and down. somebody calm me down!!!

I know, i'll re-pack my bag....again.......

Vespar · Jan 19th, 2005, 14:44

[quote=. somebody calm me down!!!

QUOTE]

Relax

You will be fine. I have just return from my first trip to India and I too went through what you are going through. However arrived in Dehli at midnight and was somewhat disappointed. I didn't get the culture shock that people talk about. I think it was that I was prepared mentally. Things were not as bad as I had imagined. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I already planning to return at the end of the year for an extended stay.

Just remember to pack your patience and your sense of humour.

nomadelmundo · Jan 19th, 2005, 16:50

so envious of all your time... be sure to hit hampi and ajanta / ellora caves when you are near mumbai (can't imagine what you can do there for a whole 1 week)... when you are in the north, khajraho temples and agra should not be missed, and they are on your route... and did you forget rajastan? either way, have a blast in india... oh bring a compressed sleeping bag, may not always be able to get A/C train rides... and they can get cold... take my word for it!

amogasiddhi · Jan 19th, 2005, 17:33

D'you know, I was thinking about this whole sleeping bag thing last evening...again! I've just seen a cutting from last Sunday's observer about Ladakh which pretty much matches what you've just said about temperature further south, though not such an extreme low.
The thing is, as always, my sleeping bag won't fit into my travel sack, which is why I bought a silk sleeping bag liner for the draughty times.
Advice needed please. I'm planning to travel from Varanasi to Delhi (March-April)and then up to Shimla and Dharamsala in about April-May (towards the end of my trip). What's the weather/ temperature going to be like North of Delhi? I get the point about A/C trains being cold sometimes and i'm guessing that North of Delhi, where it's not 30-40 degrees (100+) in April-May, it could get a bit chilly at night. What's your opinion about keeping warm up there? This newspaper article says that in Ladakh between Nov and May the temperature drops to -20!!! I wasn't planning to go that far North but I'd like to be as prepared as possible.
Anyone got a Valium they don't want?!?!?!

Moga

skell · Jan 20th, 2005, 00:25

amogasiddhi, I hope you don't wear yourself out before you get there!

amogasiddhi · Jan 20th, 2005, 19:21

Still no insurance, trying to decide about having to carry walking boots for 2 months+, can i get a decent sleeping bag when i'm in Delhi (of course I can, it's not the moon but as I already have one, is it better to take it with me?), Anyone want to come over and take a look at my bag? Aaaaaaaaarrrggghhhh!!!!

I need to get out for some fresh air.

Wear myself out? Not a chance, Mumbai won't know what's hit it when I arrive. You've never seen chaos like it until I get there.

Jan 5th, 2005, 06:39	#1
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	Just over a month before I leave Folks, it's slowly dawning on me that i'm going to India in just over a month (12th Feb), for three months (9th May). Mixed feelings abound. I've started to put stuff into the sack i'll be carrying and it already seems cluttered. It sure would be nice to have someone around who likes to travel light-ish as most of my friends take way too much stuff with them, by my standards. I know this is one of 'those' postings, the type which has been asked a thousand times before but the need for reassurance seems to be echoing about my head and it's somewhat unnerving me, so I thought I'd ask you for your opinions. Route subject to change: Feb: Mumbai (a week), Nagpur/ Raipur (2 days), Varanasi (till it gets too much) March: Varanasi-Delhi-Shimla-Dharamsala April/ May: Dharamsala then home. Got: Sack (Karrimor Global 50-70l) ,Torch (orf me bike), Boots for 'up north', sandals (for the hot bit before going 'up north'), penknife/multi-tool (never know when you'll need a pair of pliers), shaver & power lead, digital camera/ spare battery/ charger, 35mm compact, ear plugs, LP guide, blues harp... Need to get: Base layer for Dharamsala in April/May, Insurance (suggestions for UK?), Jabs tomorrow (aaarrrghhh!), adapter plug (which one?), a UK bank account which charges less than 5% per transaction, TC's £'s, I had a thought that it would be nice to take something with me to give generously to someone as i know that most of the folk i'll meet will be like-minded but i can only think of Marmite, First aid type stuff ( I have a general idea though Clove oil came to mind yesterday for toothache etc), Let me know what you think. I know it's a bit boring for most but I appreciate it. Thanks

Jan 5th, 2005, 21:58	#4
Matty Gee What's wrong with curry for breakfast? I love it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 212	Here's a few more things CONDOMS! TRAIN TIME TABLES http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ TORCH (Flashlight) BATTERIES MP3 WALKMAN (Book of MP3 Discs) This will let you play local music you buy! 8 BAND SW RADIO BAG OF COINS FROM YOUR COUNTRY (For kids) SOME UK £ IN CASH (Indians like pounds) __________________ Check my gallery out : http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser =3636

Jan 19th, 2005, 16:50	#12
nomadelmundo a.k.a Sanyasin - the Wandering Aesthetic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 149	so envious of all your time... be sure to hit hampi and ajanta / ellora caves when you are near mumbai (can't imagine what you can do there for a whole 1 week)... when you are in the north, khajraho temples and agra should not be missed, and they are on your route... and did you forget rajastan? either way, have a blast in india... oh bring a compressed sleeping bag, may not always be able to get A/C train rides... and they can get cold... take my word for it! __________________ Visit my forum for backpackers, trekkers & hikers where you can share stories, discuss trails, and upload unlimited amount of travel photos for FREE... @ PlanetNomads.com

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Jan 5th, 2005, 21:03	#2
Darwin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 18	hi mate! I'll be off to India in 3 weeks for 3-4 months!! my first trip, so I'm not too sure what to bring either, but after reading ppl's advice on this site, I decided to bring: - a mosquito net - a smaller bag for day trips - a small padlock - a mini chess-board for the train journeys - a rail map printed off the web and a few other bits and bobs. I hope that helps! Might see you around somewhere along the trip. I should be around Dharamsala around April-May! Have fun!

Jan 5th, 2005, 21:41	#3
Bengal Tiger Posts: n/a	do bring a chain to put the padlock to good use - while trains usually have some sort of "ring-and-steel-wire" system to help secure luggages, they sometimes dont and a chain is needed. the chain is passed through a part of the framework of metal, holding up the lower berth and then through the handle of the suitcase, before using the lock. all the best!! hope you have fun in your india trip.

Jan 5th, 2005, 22:01	#5
Matty Gee What's wrong with curry for breakfast? I love it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 212	DON'T BUY AN ADAPTOR PLUG Go to the local Bizlee Mahal and buy a local plug. (Two Pin as in Mainland Europe) (210v) Less stuff=more space. Try to get one with a fuse. I'd only use an adaptor if it was something very valuable like a Camcorder or Laptop..... Just to make sure.

Jan 6th, 2005, 05:42	#6
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	Had my jabs today and it was fine until about 9pm, now I have a bruised feeling on both arms. Picked up a nice base layer top today. I thought that the high-tensile, steel-wired, plastic-coated bike leash would do the trick. It's not beyond being cut by bolt croppers though it would be a deterrent. Padlock shopping tomorrow. Condoms? chance would be a fine thing I have a minidisc player but wasn't thinking of taking it with me as it'll add to the clutter/ risk factor. TC's next week......and Insurance too though I'm still a little stuck with that one. Darwin, let me know your plans or contact details so that we could meet up and have a few. 1 month 7 days and counting....I think?!?!

Jan 6th, 2005, 09:10	#7
Darwin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Japan Posts: 18	Let's keep in touch through this thread. See you later

Jan 14th, 2005, 02:19	#8
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	two combination padlocks, one small one for the main zip on my pack and one medium for locking my pack to a train/ bus/ self/ inside doors...the list is endless....oh and a silk bag liner too, teal in colour.....insurance...nearly. ..credit card, they're falling over themselves to give me one. More later

Jan 15th, 2005, 03:32	#9
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	This logic led me to unpack and re-pack. Now i can fit the day pack which would have been zipped onto the outside of my travel sack into my travel sack. It weighs 4 kilos empty and seven-ish with my stuff. I even measured it to see if I could take it as cabin baggage. If all the dimensions in inches add up to 45 or less it's possible, sometimes. Mine adds up to 42!!!!! woo-Hooo!!!!

Jan 19th, 2005, 05:20	#10
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	25 days to go!!!!!!!!!! Now i'm pacing up and down. somebody calm me down!!! I know, i'll re-pack my bag....again.......

Jan 19th, 2005, 14:44	#11
Vespar Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 83	[quote=. somebody calm me down!!! QUOTE] Relax You will be fine. I have just return from my first trip to India and I too went through what you are going through. However arrived in Dehli at midnight and was somewhat disappointed. I didn't get the culture shock that people talk about. I think it was that I was prepared mentally. Things were not as bad as I had imagined. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I already planning to return at the end of the year for an extended stay. Just remember to pack your patience and your sense of humour.

Jan 19th, 2005, 17:33	#13
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	D'you know, I was thinking about this whole sleeping bag thing last evening...again! I've just seen a cutting from last Sunday's observer about Ladakh which pretty much matches what you've just said about temperature further south, though not such an extreme low. The thing is, as always, my sleeping bag won't fit into my travel sack, which is why I bought a silk sleeping bag liner for the draughty times. Advice needed please. I'm planning to travel from Varanasi to Delhi (March-April)and then up to Shimla and Dharamsala in about April-May (towards the end of my trip). What's the weather/ temperature going to be like North of Delhi? I get the point about A/C trains being cold sometimes and i'm guessing that North of Delhi, where it's not 30-40 degrees (100+) in April-May, it could get a bit chilly at night. What's your opinion about keeping warm up there? This newspaper article says that in Ladakh between Nov and May the temperature drops to -20!!! I wasn't planning to go that far North but I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Anyone got a Valium they don't want?!?!?! Moga

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Jan 20th, 2005, 00:25	#14
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 975	amogasiddhi, I hope you don't wear yourself out before you get there!

Jan 20th, 2005, 19:21	#15
amogasiddhi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK, South Posts: 160	Still no insurance, trying to decide about having to carry walking boots for 2 months+, can i get a decent sleeping bag when i'm in Delhi (of course I can, it's not the moon but as I already have one, is it better to take it with me?), Anyone want to come over and take a look at my bag? Aaaaaaaaarrrggghhhh!!!! I need to get out for some fresh air. Wear myself out? Not a chance, Mumbai won't know what's hit it when I arrive. You've never seen chaos like it until I get there.