This weekend, Raja and I discussed our trip, as we likely will every weekend for the next several months. (We don't live in the same city, so we usually only see one another on weekends.) He gave me some tips on packing. I have also read many tips in other places when I was researching my north India trip.
1. Salwar-Kameez: Salwar (or Churidar)-Kameez are commonly worn by women in India (and by Indian women in the U.S. My doctor is from Pune, and she always wears them.) They are a type of casual clothing (although they can also be quite fancy) consisting of a tunic (Kameez) and pants. Salwar are baggy pants, and Churidar are skinny pants. You can see lots of pictures of both on catalog sites like Utsav Sarees. They are modest, yet they look good and feel cool. I have several of these, and I plan to pack a thin cotton Salwar Kameez and a silk one. I will wear the cotton one for travel, and pack the silk one. I plan to buy more when I am there, too, as they are extremely comfortable.
2. Sari: The last time Raja was in India, he bought me a beautiful sari. Saris are a 5 1/2 (or so) yard piece of cloth which is intricately folded and wrapped into a dress. It is worn over an underskirt (pavada) and a short-sleeved, cropped blouse (choli) Saris are usually worn by older women in India these days, as most younger people wear Western clothes unless it's a formal occasion. However, I probably won't get many chances to wear my sari here, so I'll take it to India with me as I also want to get some advice on ways to wear it appropriately. Since my sari is fancy, I also want to purchase a very plain sari to wear for "everyday" and to better experiment with different ways of draping (there are several methods, many of which vary depending on what part of India you are from.) When you first buy a sari, it is often starched and very stiff. When I first got my sari, I washed it by hand, air dried it over my shower rod, and carefully ironed and folded it. It took a very long time! Raja's sister (with whom I have become very good friends) tells me she will only get her saris cleaned in India. They know how to do it correctly, without damaging the fabric or fine embroidery!
3. Pants/Shirt: I think I will take one pair of western style pants, just for comfort and practicality. Since it will be so hot, I will probably not take jeans (although I would if I were going to Northern India. It's a desert there, so it gets cold at night), but rather some loose cotton pants. I will take a shirt, but likely an Indian one, as they make clothes out of very thin, fine, soft cotton which can be cooler than a t-shirt.
4. Sandals/Socks: Indians do not wear shoes inside the house. They also do not wear shoes inside temples. It's going to be hot, so sandals are the way to go. I plan to take one pair of pretty sandals, and one pair of walking sandals (like Keens or Tevas) and some light ankle socks. After that I'm set. I plan to buy some pretty Indian shoes when I get there. They are really beautiful!
5. Swim Suit/Sarong: Since we are so near the beach, I hope we get to go at least once. Because India is so conservative, Women wear sarongs (a big piece of cloth you wrap around you like a skirt) or coverups over their bathing suits when they are not in the water, for modesty's sake. They also wear more modest swimwear, like one-pieces, rather than bikinis. It's okay, I prefer a one-piece, too!
6. Long-sleeved shirt/hoodie: I'll probably wear a long-sleeved shirt or light hoodie on the plane, as most planes are highly air conditioned. I don't want to be cold! I doubt I'll need it once I'm there, though.
7. Nightgown/Pajamas: In the movies, women sleep in their saris. I think I might feel too constricted, wrapped up in all that cloth, so I'll just take a summer nightgown or pajamas. Those of you who were my students last summer know that "pyjama" is originally an Indian word, meaning baggy drawstring pants. They are worn by men with a loose tunic called a "kurta." The British adopted them when they ruled India because they were so comfortable!
8. A Hat: I am a pale Irish girl going to a hot, hot country in summer. If I don't want to become a crispy critter, I need sunscreen, and I need a hat.
8. Underwear: I will say no more about that. :)
NON-Clothing Items:
1. Toiletries: As most of these can be purchased in Chennai, I plan only to carry travel sizes of the following: shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, floss, mouthwash, and lip balm. I will also bring minimal makeup ( a little is always nice), a comb, a regular toothbrush, a razor, hair ties (if my hair is long enough by then), sunscreen, bug repellent, and any medications I need, such as anti-malaria pills.
2. Emergency kit: It's always nice to have a little emergency kit with you. Suggested contents include: a painkiller (tylenol or advil), an anti-diarrhea medicine (people often get sick because there are different germs in the food/water than our bodies are used to), antibiotic ointment (for cuts and scrapes), bandaids and gauze, cough drops, tweezers, alcohol wipes, antacids, hydrocortizone (for itchy rashes), cotton swabs, tissues, hand-sanitizer, soap papers and baby wipes. There is also supposedly a pill you can get that eliminates jet-lag. If I can find that, I'm all on it. I will only carry a few of each of these items with me. I want an emergency kit that is no bigger than a paperback novel.
3. Money: It's always good to have some cash on you. I will carry some small bills and coins in my wallet/coin purse, and some in a special wallet that I will wear under my clothes. That prevents it from being stolen. When we get to India, we can exchange our U.S. money for Indian money. I will also carry my credit cards in my special wallet, just in case. You can use credit cards in most major stores in Chennai.
2. Extra Luggage: I plan to pack a suitcase inside of another suitcase to be checked in. I will also be taking a carry-on bag and a "messenger bag" to use instead of a purse or backpack (to carry my stuff around as I sight-see, etc.)
3. Documents: It's important to carry your documentation with you. They can go in your special wallet under your clothes, or in your day bag, if you are certain it won't get lost or dipped into. Documents to bring include: passport w/visa, Medical Insurance information, flight confirmation and boarding pass, and emergency contact information including names and phone numbers of people both in India and back in the States. It's also good to have copies of as many of these documents as possible, in case anything happens or they get lost. I'm also going to bring copies of my resume (they call it a CV), and some personal calling cards, as there is a chance I could move to Bangalore and stay for a while after some time, and I want to make some connections and find out what it takes to find a job there.
4. Memory Makers: All the things I need to document my trip. For me that means my digital camera (and extra batteries, charger, and cord for uploading), my laptop (plus power cord), and my journal and pens (because I am old-fashioned and can't be without one. Also, I'm not going to lug my laptop everywhere!)
5. Entertainment: For the plane, or for down-time (that is, afternoon naps when it's very hot), I'll bring my iPod (and charger), a book (only one, as I know I'm not likely to spend all of my time reading), a Tamil phrase book (why not learn something on the way?) and a magazine. (I'm going to buy several over there for the trip back, I have no doubt, as I love Bollywood movie magazines!)
6. Comforts: Eyeshade for resting, earplugs for blocking out noise, sunglasses, and snacks (which for me always includes gum.)
7. Other: Many other countries do not use the same kinds of electrical plugs we use. Because of that, you may need adaptors for your electronics. I think Raja probably has some of those already, as he has travelled to India many times. Still, it's good to check. It's also a good idea to buy locks for your luggage and bags. You can even buy them for backpacks and day bags so people don't steal stuff from them. There are so many people in Indian cities, that someone could take something out of your bag, and you might not even notice until later. I'm going to have to check on the practicality of using my cell phone while in India. I know Raja has a completely different cell phone he uses when he goes there. Lastly, I think it would be very nice to take some gifts for Raja's parents, as a "thank you" for their hospitality. I am thinking about some treats that are local to the Pacific Northwest.
Looking at all this, it seems like a lot, but there are ways to pack compactly, and I will do my best.
Questions/ Challenges
1. What would you need to pack to take on your trip to your dream destination?
2. How many of these things do you own right now, and how many would you have to buy?
3. What are some ways you can think of to pack light?
4. Draw pictures or make a list of all the things you would need for a great trip. How many suitcases do you think it would take to pack your stuff?
Enjoy your imaginary journey, and be good!
- Buy inexpensive luggage. Raja tells me that in India, luggage is handled very roughly, and you may need to replace it when you get home anyway, so don't spend your money on expensive suitcases.
- Pack light. For one, I'm going to want to buy a lot of stuff there, and there are weight requirements for suitcases on most flights. Most of the stuff I need I can buy there, and inexpensively. I'm planning to pack a small suitcase inside of a larger suitcase, so I have one suitcase going, and two coming back. How else will I be able to bring home all the presents I am going to buy? This one is hard for me, but I'm going to do my best.
- Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry on. It's important to do this, just in case your luggage gets lost. Also, it's going to be a very long trip. We leave very early Wednesday morning, and don't get in to Chennai until Friday morning (which is actually Thursday evening, Pacific time. It is 12 1/2 hours ahead there.) It might be a nice thing to "freshen up" on the way.
- Keep your necessary/valuable things on your body. Same reason as above. No one wants their money, passport, medication, or other vital things to be lost.
These are the things I am going to take with me. If I am smart, I can pack almost everything into my carry-on luggage.
Clothes:
3. Pants/Shirt: I think I will take one pair of western style pants, just for comfort and practicality. Since it will be so hot, I will probably not take jeans (although I would if I were going to Northern India. It's a desert there, so it gets cold at night), but rather some loose cotton pants. I will take a shirt, but likely an Indian one, as they make clothes out of very thin, fine, soft cotton which can be cooler than a t-shirt.
4. Sandals/Socks: Indians do not wear shoes inside the house. They also do not wear shoes inside temples. It's going to be hot, so sandals are the way to go. I plan to take one pair of pretty sandals, and one pair of walking sandals (like Keens or Tevas) and some light ankle socks. After that I'm set. I plan to buy some pretty Indian shoes when I get there. They are really beautiful!
5. Swim Suit/Sarong: Since we are so near the beach, I hope we get to go at least once. Because India is so conservative, Women wear sarongs (a big piece of cloth you wrap around you like a skirt) or coverups over their bathing suits when they are not in the water, for modesty's sake. They also wear more modest swimwear, like one-pieces, rather than bikinis. It's okay, I prefer a one-piece, too!
6. Long-sleeved shirt/hoodie: I'll probably wear a long-sleeved shirt or light hoodie on the plane, as most planes are highly air conditioned. I don't want to be cold! I doubt I'll need it once I'm there, though.
7. Nightgown/Pajamas: In the movies, women sleep in their saris. I think I might feel too constricted, wrapped up in all that cloth, so I'll just take a summer nightgown or pajamas. Those of you who were my students last summer know that "pyjama" is originally an Indian word, meaning baggy drawstring pants. They are worn by men with a loose tunic called a "kurta." The British adopted them when they ruled India because they were so comfortable!
8. A Hat: I am a pale Irish girl going to a hot, hot country in summer. If I don't want to become a crispy critter, I need sunscreen, and I need a hat.
8. Underwear: I will say no more about that. :)
NON-Clothing Items:
1. Toiletries: As most of these can be purchased in Chennai, I plan only to carry travel sizes of the following: shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, floss, mouthwash, and lip balm. I will also bring minimal makeup ( a little is always nice), a comb, a regular toothbrush, a razor, hair ties (if my hair is long enough by then), sunscreen, bug repellent, and any medications I need, such as anti-malaria pills.
2. Emergency kit: It's always nice to have a little emergency kit with you. Suggested contents include: a painkiller (tylenol or advil), an anti-diarrhea medicine (people often get sick because there are different germs in the food/water than our bodies are used to), antibiotic ointment (for cuts and scrapes), bandaids and gauze, cough drops, tweezers, alcohol wipes, antacids, hydrocortizone (for itchy rashes), cotton swabs, tissues, hand-sanitizer, soap papers and baby wipes. There is also supposedly a pill you can get that eliminates jet-lag. If I can find that, I'm all on it. I will only carry a few of each of these items with me. I want an emergency kit that is no bigger than a paperback novel.
3. Money: It's always good to have some cash on you. I will carry some small bills and coins in my wallet/coin purse, and some in a special wallet that I will wear under my clothes. That prevents it from being stolen. When we get to India, we can exchange our U.S. money for Indian money. I will also carry my credit cards in my special wallet, just in case. You can use credit cards in most major stores in Chennai.
2. Extra Luggage: I plan to pack a suitcase inside of another suitcase to be checked in. I will also be taking a carry-on bag and a "messenger bag" to use instead of a purse or backpack (to carry my stuff around as I sight-see, etc.)
3. Documents: It's important to carry your documentation with you. They can go in your special wallet under your clothes, or in your day bag, if you are certain it won't get lost or dipped into. Documents to bring include: passport w/visa, Medical Insurance information, flight confirmation and boarding pass, and emergency contact information including names and phone numbers of people both in India and back in the States. It's also good to have copies of as many of these documents as possible, in case anything happens or they get lost. I'm also going to bring copies of my resume (they call it a CV), and some personal calling cards, as there is a chance I could move to Bangalore and stay for a while after some time, and I want to make some connections and find out what it takes to find a job there.
4. Memory Makers: All the things I need to document my trip. For me that means my digital camera (and extra batteries, charger, and cord for uploading), my laptop (plus power cord), and my journal and pens (because I am old-fashioned and can't be without one. Also, I'm not going to lug my laptop everywhere!)
5. Entertainment: For the plane, or for down-time (that is, afternoon naps when it's very hot), I'll bring my iPod (and charger), a book (only one, as I know I'm not likely to spend all of my time reading), a Tamil phrase book (why not learn something on the way?) and a magazine. (I'm going to buy several over there for the trip back, I have no doubt, as I love Bollywood movie magazines!)
6. Comforts: Eyeshade for resting, earplugs for blocking out noise, sunglasses, and snacks (which for me always includes gum.)
7. Other: Many other countries do not use the same kinds of electrical plugs we use. Because of that, you may need adaptors for your electronics. I think Raja probably has some of those already, as he has travelled to India many times. Still, it's good to check. It's also a good idea to buy locks for your luggage and bags. You can even buy them for backpacks and day bags so people don't steal stuff from them. There are so many people in Indian cities, that someone could take something out of your bag, and you might not even notice until later. I'm going to have to check on the practicality of using my cell phone while in India. I know Raja has a completely different cell phone he uses when he goes there. Lastly, I think it would be very nice to take some gifts for Raja's parents, as a "thank you" for their hospitality. I am thinking about some treats that are local to the Pacific Northwest.
Looking at all this, it seems like a lot, but there are ways to pack compactly, and I will do my best.
Questions/ Challenges
1. What would you need to pack to take on your trip to your dream destination?
2. How many of these things do you own right now, and how many would you have to buy?
3. What are some ways you can think of to pack light?
4. Draw pictures or make a list of all the things you would need for a great trip. How many suitcases do you think it would take to pack your stuff?
Enjoy your imaginary journey, and be good!
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