Packing too heavy?

kira

My backpack weighs 28 lbs. and barely zips up, it's so full.....I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. Is 28 lbs. super heavy or about average?

(this is for long-term residence in India)

Thermarest
Travel Pillow
Journal
Tampons
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion, soap & deodorant)
First Aid Kit (Immodium, anti-fungal cream, yeast infection meds, Emergen-C and Ceralyte for dehydration prevention, Wellness Formula tablets for cold/flu prevention, Paracan parasite formula for parasites, Artemesia Annua and Cinchona Bark for malaria)
Multivitamins (enough for a year)
Antibiotics for Malaria and diarrhea
Hand Sanitizer
Antibacterial Wipes
Facial Cleansing Wipes (a major luxury, but well worth it imo
Spray bottle (for keeping cool and wrinkled clothing)
Water bottle
Laundry Bag
Flashlight
DEET (several small bottles)
Sunblock
Hat
Travel Alarm Clock
Cassette player
Mini backpack for daytrips
1 pair of sandals
4 pairs of undies
2 outfits
tank top and boxers
pajamas (lightweight)

oldhippie

Kira
You might want to ship some stuff into India if you are moving there on a long term basis. I have been here since late Nov and have another year to go. I had loads of stuff mailed over surface and air mail and had no problems whatsoever.

Good Luck!
Bill

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kira

Thanks for the prompt reply! I was told not to have anything shipped there due to theft and unreliability of the mail system. When I checked into the cost of a very small shipment of books, the cost was several hundred dollars, which made this option even less appealing. I am wondering if there is a reliable and inexpensive way to ship items to India. Any advice would be a huge help!

LuAnnandJawahar

If you are going for long-term you don't need any of the toiletries, it is all easily accessible over there, or even the spray bottle/laundry bag.

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Merchant

Seems like a lot on non-essentials. It's heavy with pharmaceuticals and drug-store fluff. Hand sanitizer? Antibacterial wipes? Indians do have soap and water.

If you ship items, you can use the regular mail so long as you send it via registered post. It's still expensive (about $100 for a few pounds), but less so than FedEx.

oldhippie

Kira
I have had 15Kg boxes shipped to me from Dallas, Tx by surface mail. It cost me $45 and took 45 days to get here. I have had no problems whatsoever. I also order protein suppliments and other related stuff on a monthly basis with no problems.

Fedex or EMS tends to be a hassle as the customs take special interest in these shipments.

Bill

andyandyou

You are carrying too much health related thingies. World Class Toiletries from different local companies and MNCs are easily available in India. MULTIVITAMINS FOR A YEAR ???

The kind and quantity of medicines you are carrying will easily put you into trouble with customs officials here.

Even the diet suppliments and health products from companies like Nutralite, are easily available in India.
B
ringing toiletries to India is a waste. World class Antibacterial Wipes, hand sanitizers, facial wipes, medicated and non medicated tissues, Antibiotics all these things are available everywhere and they are cheaper than any other country.

Plan a re-packing. Best O' Luck

andyandyou

It's too Late just eight Months or so. Hope You're having a great time in India.

Aaliya Sultana

I've been here 6 months and have found that you can get almost anything here including Dove soap/liquid soap, Dettol soap/liquid, vitamins, even protein powder (the same stuff as in America/Australia). The only thing on your list that I havnt seen here is the anti-bacterial WIPES. The only thing that you cant get here, or is hard to find is tampons and quality conditioner. The water is really bad on your hair here so you might need a more heavy-duty conditioner to the one you are used to. I definately wish I had packed a supply of conditioning treatment for my hair.
I had a bad experience with DHL shipping too. It was expensive and when it arrived the box had been opened and a lot of stuff was either broken or missing. Isurance proved useless too as they said to make a claim I had to be back in Australia and do it within a time-frame (cant remember how long, but I probably wont be back in time).

mountainleaders

Leave the laundry bag and the year supply at home. Makes up for another kilo ;-)

The 28lbs is a bit much when I see what you pack : did you weight only your rucksack ? On the other hand, starting your trip with only 28lbs is not much. You will not notice it. ;-)

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cyberhippie

Hi it's a shame you seem to have already bought all this stuff because most if not all can be bought in India at a fraction of the price and you'll avoid having to carry it around!!
Here's a price list of India essentials take a look then decide if you can justify leaving some of that stuff behind??

India price guide