[john.sw]

Electrical Adapters:

You can buy an adapter for about Rs.15/- from any electrical store in any town.

[Casey]

A thong-style bikini.    This goes for both men and women (although, feel free to argue this one).

[jyotirmoy]

The cheap adaptors have no voltage regulation circuit.. in India the line voltage may vary very wildly so a simple transformer rectifier adaptor which is designed for +/- 5% variation in line voltage comon to western countries may play havoc... take care. Dont bring medicines that's what I tell everybody....

[Indojinguy]

What not to bring to India:
- unreasonable expectations.
- 'stay away from me' type of attitude ('cept for touts i.e.)

[larki]

Jyotirmoy
Why no medicines???   My Dr. just gave me stuff to bring.

[larki]

Good idea   No underware!    
I will bring the minium of clothes,  so  Yogagal I will be gone 3 months  10 pairs (string bikinis) ok???  and very little makeup.  
Anything else I should not bring?
I like to eat almonds   can I get them there????
What about body lotion??

[BlueRose]

Larki, I think why jyotirmoy says dont bring medicines is because compared to many places, medicines are quite inexpensive in India and easily obtained. But if he has another reason then I am sure he will share it. The only thing I did not find anywhere in India was nicotine patches, and I was miserable on my flight until I got to singapore and bought some. I have since stopped smoking and it has been several months.
I ran out of underwear, I think there was an underwear thief in my midst cause they disapeared one by one and I had to buy more. But really 10 pairs should be plenty. If you are in South India during monsoon, I dont think you will need lotion. The air is very moist and humidity is the best lotion around. If you are in the Northern deserts well, then for sure lotion or oil.
I cant remember seeing almonds, but that doesnt mean they arent any there. If you like nuts make sure to try peanut masala...hmmmm with a beer it is heaven.

[larki]

So I can get antibiotics also.
I hope I dont' run into you underwear thief!!  

I will be in the north and I always use lotion at home.  So I should be able to get it there??? Does Delhi have stores like Walmart or Target??

Oh.... peanut masala   sounds  yummy:)  I can't wait    only 1 month to go!!!!!

[jyotirmoy]

All medicines are available in India at a fraction of the cost. But due get the generic names of the medicines that u may need. Trade names may be different.

larki, on May 8 2006, 04:56 AM, said:

So I can get antibiotics also. Yes all types...I hope I dont' run into you underwear thief!!  
I will be in the north and I always use lotion at home.  So I should be able to get it there??? Does Delhi have stores like Walmart or Target?? Plenty of shopping malls, what things u want to buy?
Oh.... peanut masala   sounds  yummy:)  I can't wait    only 1 month to go!!!!!

[sakurablue]

Don't pack 'smart' clothes. I have a disturbing tendency to pack clothes for every occasion - just in case...of course this is nonsensical and I end up with too much baggage and clothes I don't wear.  Even in the 'smartest' of places (Lake Palace hotel, Taj Bombay) I can get away wearing something fairly casual.

[jyotirmoy]

sakurablue, on May 8 2006, 08:11 AM, said:

Don't pack 'smart' clothes...

And if you need some you can always buy them... many famous & infamous brands are available at a cheaper price. My cousin's wife from US end up buying suitcases & excess baggage tickets in the end... a routine that has been going on for some time !!!!

[sakurablue]

Forgot to mention that I had some fantastic clothes made in Mysore.   Indian linen is great - I chose a variety of beige and white.

Now I have an ultra-smart long coat that I'll be sure to wear when I next arrive at Delhi airport.  Hopefully later this summer.

[Judi]

Yes, you can definitely buy almonds in India!

In fact, I've read somewhere that many Indians eat 5 almonds a day ....... although quite why they do that, no-one seems to know.  Doubtless someone here will tell you.  

[larki]

It sound like I will take very little clothes.... buy all my clothes there
I can get my almonds ( I do eat them everyday) don't need to bring them.

Speaking of smart clothes,  Is there certain standards in dressing when going out to dinner??   like a dress or skirt..... I am assuming that jeans are not a good choice for dinner places?????   Is there a dress code in the big city or little???

last question (well for this hour)
Any med's like over the counter  should I have in my bag with me????

thanks everyone for your help.

It is know less then 30 days!!!!!!!!

[Casey]

I bought a nice salwaar while I was in Calcutta at the end of my trip.  I wish I had purchased one at the beginning.  In terms of dress clothes it was perfect, for casual comfort, it was perfect.  We really only went to a couple of places that I would have considered somewhere to dress up and I wore the salwaar to one and just my long travel skirt to the other. I find when I travel my dress clothes from home don't seem to fit in.  I had a long light skirt that I would pair with a nice cotton shirt.  Laundry service is so quick and everything comes back pressed so I used to get things washed because the were wrinkled more than dirty.

[Judi]

No, jeans wouldn't be right when going out to dinner at all except the most casual places.

On my first trip I wore long skirts sometimes, but on my last trip I bought several salwar kameeze ..... and felt absolutely perfect in them.  I paid about 600/700 rupees for nicely made. cotton ones, which came as a three piece suit i.e slawar, kameeze and dupatta ( from two of the big stores in Kolkatta - you can also get cheaper ones everywhere ..... and ones costing thousands of rupees for special occasions too!)  They are comfortable, elegant, practical, and I got endless compliments when I was wearing them.  I even badly missed wearing them when I came home again  

Also, although it depends where you are going, temperature-wise, you might like to consider light cotton trousers rather than jeans, which I think you might find to be dreadfully heavy and hot.  Whatever you do, dress conservatively.  Most of India dresses in such a manner, and, as a foreigner, you will already attract a good deal of attention, you want to make sure it is at least favourable.

[Phantom]

There is no dress code for going out for dinner. You can wear whatever you want.

Dress code comes into picture only when you are attending some wedding or some other family function, where its better to wear some Indian ethnic clothes, or a long skirt, or dress, if you dont have a nice saaree or lehanga/sharara

[larki]

Great information everyone.
I have two SK that I will take me and
I will buy my outfit for the wedding when I am there.

I wish time would just speed up  I am ready to leave now!

[yossie23]

Larki,

Don't know if you will wear open shoes or sneakers usually. It is good to have a few extra pairs of cotton socks as the streets can be dusty.

Hand kerchiefs can be very useful if you're travelling in hot & humid places.

Good luck
Mani

[larki]

Hi ho hi ho  it is off to Target I go........

Yes, I remember the thread on shoes/sandals.  I forgot about shoes

Barefoot    ouch!!!

Thanks,