
NECESSARIES:

Basic:
======
* Clothing
* Mosquito net
  Standard types are available in Mayapur and bigger Indian cities for
  relatively low prices. In European countries they can be purchased from
  camping stores. The price is around 100 DM. They need lines and support.
  In some countries (notably Germany) they sell very good standalone nets
  based on the dome-tent principle, with two light weight aluminum or
  glass-fiber sticks. An additional advantage is that they have a floor
  part connected to the net.
* Sleeping bag
  Nights in India can be cool outside of the summer season. Besides that,
  it's a good way to keep mosquitoes at a distance.
* Sleeping mat
* Suitcase, back-pack, travel bag

Extended:
=========
* Alarm clock
* Cooking device
  If you plan to cook for yourself. For devices on gasoil the best brand
  is Primus, but you can also buy the local Indian type, though they are
  not really small. Another option is the electric cooking plate.
* Hang locks
  For your bags and the entrance of your residence.
* Money belt
  Take the flat type that one wears under the clothes.
* Nylon line (about 10 m, 2 mm thick)
  Multi-purpose, but mainly used for hanging laundry.
* Pocket knife
  Multi-purpose. Don't carry it in your hand luggage when flying. Customs
  will demand it to be transported separately, and that is a trip you
  wouldn't want to get into.
* Pocket torch
  Preferably use a good brand. You may pay a little more, but it is
  definitely worth it. Take a small and handy type with easily available
  or rechargeable batteries. MagLite (Mini) and Pelican (MityLite) supply
  good torches.
* Sun glasses
* Water bottle
  Try to avoid aluminum, it causes a myriad of diseases.
* Water boiler
  Not only for making soup or tea. Nowadays even the bottled water cannot
  be trusted anymore. Better boil it first before use. If you travel 
  a lot, consider a hand boiler. This is a small spiral that you dip into 
  a container of water. Otherwise it might be more practical to use an
  intergrated boiler for either 1.5 or 0.5 liters. This is a teflon
  pitcher with a built-in spiral, thermostate and overheating protection.
  They boil 1 liter of water in 3.5 minutes and shut of automatically.

Handy:
======
* Battery charger
  Solar battery chargers are relatively cheap and nicely adopted to the
  Indian climate.
* Calculator
* Camera
* Compass
* Portable alarm
* Small multi-meter
  And *some* knowledge of electronics...
* Small toolkit
  Like a hand piece with bit collection, a tool clip (SOG, Gerber, Al
  Mar), or an officer's knife (Victorinox, Wenger, Adler)
* Travel mate
  A small information book with travel and country information and a mini
  atlas.
* Wall socket adaptor
* Woolen hat and big, thick woolen socks
  No chance for mosquitoes, who go mainly for the thin skin on the head,
  feet and ankles.


MEDICAL

Standard:
=========
* Insect repellent
  Take something dimethylphtalaat or diethylmetatoluamide based, like
  the Swedish "Jungle Olja." Other preparates will just disappoint you.
* Malaria prophylaxe
  Take a vaccination before you leave, and preferably some chloroquine
  tablets during your stay.
* Personal medicines
  Especially if you have diabetes, asthma, allergies, or other disorders
  that require a regular intake of medicines.
* Vaccinations
  Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended for India.
  Please don't take these diseases lightly, they can ruin the rest of your
  life.

First aid kit:
==============
* Active coal
  For stomach and intestinal disorders, poisonings and diarrhea.
* Anti sunburn
  Take a lotion or balsam with a high UV-filter value.
* Anti-diarrhea
  Preferably Imodium based. Note: don't take this type of medicine when
  you have dysentery, since it slows down your bowel movement.
* Bandage
  At least some emergency bandage.
* Disinfectant
  Iodine or alcohol based disinfectants are often not strong enough.
  Hexamedine transcutane (mainly used for infections under finger nails)
  or sprayable anti-biotics like Bivacyn (used in surgery) are very good
  alternatives.
* Gauzes
* Kerosine
  Just a small amount in a little bottle with a dropper to easily get rid
  of leeches and tics.
* Painkillers
  Aspirine, paracetamol, alvedon, distalgesic, etc.
* Pincers
* Plasters
* Pooshak
  This is an, often locally available, Ayur Vedic medicine in sirup form
  for sev0ere dysentery. Instant relief, and preventive when taken regularly 
  in small doses.
* Scissors


OFFICIAL PAPERS

* Identity card
* Insurance papers
* Other identification papers
* Passport
* Personal medical information
* Personal medicine prescriptions
* Vaccination information

HINTS AND TIPS

* Make photocopies of all your travel documents, especially your passport.
It saves you lots of trouble in case the originals get stolen.

* Carry your valuables on two places. Put the money you expect to use
during the day in a visible wallet hanging round your neck or in an
obvious money belt round your waist, and keep the rest of your money and
your documents hidden in a money belt under your clothes.

* Confirm your retour tickets asap after your arrival.

* Buy at least a quarter of your money legally.

* If you need medications regularly, take an adequate supply with you.
Better too much than too little.

* If you have diabetes, allergies, asthma or any condition that may
require emergency care, ALWAYS carry some identification (tag, bracelet or
card) indicating this and prescriptions of the medicines. Preferably also
carry a letter from your physician.

* If you are planning to go somewhere alone or together with someone else,
inform authorities or friends or the group you came with of your plans,
destination(s) and expected return date.

