Most useless item to carry around in India ? MUI

michael · Sep 17th, 2006, 23:42

Thanks for all this interesting replies !
the MUI will ever be with us!
michael

sirensongs · Sep 18th, 2006, 00:17

Most useless: the special sink-stopper that every single guide book tells you to buy (and they also tell you, "make sure you get a universal one because the drain size is different here"). No one stops up the sink here, you just fill the bucket for your washing.

Unless you're going into Cherrapunji, I would think a poncho would be useless...umbrella makes much more sense, because it guards against the sun as well. And the plastic rain poncho is so *hot* and sweaty...!

Nick-H · Sep 18th, 2006, 00:39

The sink stopper! Yes! Still got mine: don't think I've ever used it!!

camelgirl · Sep 18th, 2006, 02:28

I've used my sink stoppers dozens of times on every trip! Though they don't always work due to poorly installed drains

And my very best item which I've also used many times on every trip is my tiny immersion water heater. I always make different kinds of tea in the room, especially if not feeling well.

Most useless item was lightweight hiking boots brought from home for trekking in Nepal. Many years ago. They killed my feet so I wore $5 red Bata sneakers (trainers) instead

Trekked 9 days (1/2 Annapurna circuit) in them. Still can't believe it.

thirdreel · Sep 18th, 2006, 06:48

My most useless thing was probably useful to lots of people--a bottle of DEET-based mosquito repellent. I found it really irritated my skin, especially when my sweat made it hard to keep out of my eyes and mouth. I ended up just taking my antimalarials and staying in A/C rooms and praying for the best.

Oh, and I also took a regular bath towel, which was less use than the space it took up. All of the mid-range hotels I stayed in provided towels, and while maybe I should have been skittish about their cleanliness, I ended up leaving the towel at a friend's house in Delhi so I wouldn't have to drag it along. If I had a microfiber travel towel, probably that would be more worthwhile.

Useful: a mini-LED light on a keychain. I think a big clunky flashlight (torch) would have been inconvenient, but having a keychain I can slip out when I need it helped. I could see in the underground walkways in Delhi when the electricity was out, but that didn't stop the shoeshine scammers from throwing crap at my feet.

PeakXV · Sep 18th, 2006, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdreel

My most useless thing was probably useful to lots of people--a bottle of DEET-based mosquito repellent. I found it really irritated my skin, especially when my sweat made it hard to keep out of my eyes and mouth.

Thirdreel a little dab will do ya (old brill cream ad)!

I usually put a squirt on the back of my neck collar, wrists,
ankles, maybe back of knees when wearing shorts. Period! Never anywhere near my face or on my fingers. Seems to work for me .... but I guess it all depends on the density of the local fleet.

dilbharatmain · Sep 18th, 2006, 07:29

MUI - down sleeping bag, trekking boots and tent - planning major trek in Himachal, got side tracked in Delhi and ended up in MP for 4 months (mid monsoon) not using a thing but carried it all the same! (the tent fly did come in use as a rain cape on some occassions.)

ixel · Oct 4th, 2006, 02:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogagal60510

of course it was the weather and where I traveled but.....a pair of jeans. never wore them.

Hi!
Where did you go?
I was thinking the best thing I'll be doing is to bring only 2 jeans and 2 cotton pants for my month trip to Dharamsala and Nepal... I'm being silly? -this will be the fist time I visit India-...

Love&light!
Ixel

globalgoldie · Oct 4th, 2006, 02:36

A russian made airforce weather jacket that we borrowed from a frnd on our ladakh expedition last year,.His dad was once posted in Siachen.
We thought wud be gud idea to carry that jacket b'cos of the temperature.The jacket was not used even a single time rather in the end,we lost that expensive jacket in srinagar somewhere and our frnd is still after us asking for MONEY..lol.

laughingbuddha · Oct 4th, 2006, 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixel

I was thinking the best thing I'll be doing is to bring only 2 jeans and 2 cotton pants for my month trip to Dharamsala and Nepal... I'm being silly?

Ixel, If you are used to wearing jeans in the Mexican summer, you should be able to wear it in the Indian heat as well. However, it is not a good idea to wear jeans in the monsoon -- they get heavy when wet, and almost never dry. It also depends when you are going and where. Dharamsala and Nepal are much cooler places, and a jeans should come in handy during the winter months.

Sama · Oct 4th, 2006, 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixel

Where did you go?

I was in the south, Tamil Nadu, during September and March, so it was hot...

ixel · Oct 4th, 2006, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by laughingbuddha

Ixel, If you are used to wearing jeans in the Mexican summer, you should be able to wear it in the Indian heat as well. However, it is not a good idea to wear jeans in the monsoon -- they get heavy when wet, and almost never dry. It also depends when you are going and where. Dharamsala and Nepal are much cooler places, and a jeans should come in handy during the winter months.

I'll be in Delhi from october 8-11;
in Dharamsala from october 12-25;
in Delhi the 26;
and in Nepal from october 26 to November 3

I think I read the moonson is just over...
is it cold in Dharamsala and Nepal in november?

Thanx infinitely for your answers!
Much Love and joy,
Ixel

PS: I use jeans all the time (in non office hours of course)!

laughingbuddha · Oct 4th, 2006, 03:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixel

I'll be in Delhi from october 8-11;
in Dharamsala from october 12-25;
in Delhi the 26;
and in Nepal from october 26 to November 3

is it cold in Dharamsala and Nepal in november?

The temp. in Delhi should be btwn 80-95F, and Dharamsala should be in the 50 and 70's.

TimMakins · Oct 4th, 2006, 18:11

Those universal plugs are a waste of time. They aim to fit everything, but what happens is that they just sit over the plughole, and can easily get knocked off whilst you are doing your washing etc. What I do is to get an old bicycle inner-tube, available for free at your local bike-shop, and cut 3 circles of varying sizes. These fit *IN* the plug hole, and are kept against the grill by the pressure of water. They work very well. The three sizes cope with different wash-basins. If you have scissors with you, you can trim them to fit.

See other packing tips on the Packing List page of my website.

Tim in England

Nick-H · Oct 4th, 2006, 19:10

Good Grief! I read that thinking you were talking about electrical plugs ---inner tubes, fitting in plug hole, pressure of water

Yes, I realised I'd got wrong in the end

Sep 17th, 2006, 23:42	#31
michael Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Partly Germany, Partly Abroad Posts: 11	Thanks for all this interesting replies ! Thanks for all this interesting replies ! the MUI will ever be with us! michael

Sep 18th, 2006, 00:17	#32
sirensongs Eeny meeny mango Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: All India Permit (somewhere between Delhi & Dharamsala) Posts: 1,213	Most useless: the special sink-stopper that every single guide book tells you to buy (and they also tell you, "make sure you get a universal one because the drain size is different here"). No one stops up the sink here, you just fill the bucket for your washing. Unless you're going into Cherrapunji, I would think a poncho would be useless...umbrella makes much more sense, because it guards against the sun as well. And the plastic rain poncho is so hot and sweaty...! __________________ *"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose* yourself."** Feringhee: The India Diaries

Sep 18th, 2006, 00:39	#33
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,873	The sink stopper! Yes! Still got mine: don't think I've ever used it!! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Sep 18th, 2006, 02:28	#34
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,021	I've used my sink stoppers dozens of times on every trip! Though they don't always work due to poorly installed drains And my very best item which I've also used many times on every trip is my tiny immersion water heater. I always make different kinds of tea in the room, especially if not feeling well. Most useless item was lightweight hiking boots brought from home for trekking in Nepal. Many years ago. They killed my feet so I wore $5 red Bata sneakers (trainers) instead Trekked 9 days (1/2 Annapurna circuit) in them. Still can't believe it.

Sep 18th, 2006, 06:48	#35
thirdreel Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 209	My most useless thing was probably useful to lots of people--a bottle of DEET-based mosquito repellent. I found it really irritated my skin, especially when my sweat made it hard to keep out of my eyes and mouth. I ended up just taking my antimalarials and staying in A/C rooms and praying for the best. Oh, and I also took a regular bath towel, which was less use than the space it took up. All of the mid-range hotels I stayed in provided towels, and while maybe I should have been skittish about their cleanliness, I ended up leaving the towel at a friend's house in Delhi so I wouldn't have to drag it along. If I had a microfiber travel towel, probably that would be more worthwhile. Useful: a mini-LED light on a keychain. I think a big clunky flashlight (torch) would have been inconvenient, but having a keychain I can slip out when I need it helped. I could see in the underground walkways in Delhi when the electricity was out, but that didn't stop the shoeshine scammers from throwing crap at my feet.

Sep 18th, 2006, 07:29	#37
dilbharatmain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 117	MUI - down sleeping bag, trekking boots and tent - planning major trek in Himachal, got side tracked in Delhi and ended up in MP for 4 months (mid monsoon) not using a thing but carried it all the same! (the tent fly did come in use as a rain cape on some occassions.)

Oct 4th, 2006, 02:36	#39
globalgoldie Still Surviving Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: india,New Delhi Posts: 66	A russian made airforce weather jacket that we borrowed from a frnd on our ladakh expedition last year,.His dad was once posted in Siachen. We thought wud be gud idea to carry that jacket b'cos of the temperature.The jacket was not used even a single time rather in the end,we lost that expensive jacket in srinagar somewhere and our frnd is still after us asking for MONEY..lol.

Oct 4th, 2006, 19:10	#45
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,873	Good Grief! I read that thinking you were talking about electrical plugs ---inner tubes, fitting in plug hole, pressure of water Yes, I realised I'd got wrong in the end

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