Bangalore What to Pack

Luggage and bags: - Leave space to buy some silk, pashminas, etc. Many of the places, alternatively, will deliver to the US, especially if you buy something large (like a rug)

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: - Supportive, rubber-soled shoes: the sidewalks are either broken or non-existent, depending on the block. No heels, no leather soles, no things with poor ankle support

- Jeans: Standard issue here for casual time, noone wears shorts unless they are tourists.

- Small umbrella: keep it with you for light rains, which are quite common. A travel rainjacket (those that fold onto themselves and zip up as a small pouch) is a good idea, as rain can come at any time

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: - Purell or other hand sanitizer: Self explanatory, this is Bug Country. A small 2-oz bottle of Walgreens generic brand (99 cents at any Walgreens checkout) will be easy to carry and will last for a month (unless you are a germaphobe)

- Cotton swabs: Not even the Sheraton had them

- Antacid: pick your favorite, bring a supply to last you as if you were going to consume them daily

- Xifaxan: ask your doctor for a prescription, this thing rocks for Delhi Belly. 3 days, 3 pills a day, non systemic so you don't get the usual metalmouth side-effect. Alternatively you can pack Cipro, but that will be a 5 to 7 day course. If you forget any and you get hit, get yourself to one of the myriad counter pharmacies and ask for 10 pills of Cifran CT (Cipro + tinidazole which kills parasites)

Photo Equipment: - This category is getting old: just pack your usual digital cam, plenty of rechargeable batteries and a large memory card. I am totally digging my digital cam's video capability to take little snapshots of life around Bangalore

Miscellaneous: - Travel adapter: if your US charger is 3-pronged, you'll find it hard to find a plug (the 2 flat prong ones, however, are rather common. Bring a TravelSmart adapter, the kind they sell at Brookstone.

- Cologne - this is something I learned from my mom, who used it rather extensively while we lived in Bolivia. Bring a small bottle of cologne and, before leaving out on the streets, spray some on the inside of your wrists (which is the undercover version of carrying a scented handkerchief in your bag / pocket) When you hit a rank spot on the street (and you will, pretty much once or more a block) a quick whiff of the wrist will get you through the hardest of it.

Luggage and bags: Don't pack more than a weeks worth of clothes. Laundry is readily available and cheap.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Lightweight rain jacket or umbrella. Shoes with good traction. I wore heels to the office but they are completely impractical for walking on many or the sidewalks. Also shoes that slip on and off easily for the TSA security stops as well as removal before enterring temples.
If you want to fit in, T-shirts with at least cap sleeves, haven't seen anyone wearing sleeveless tops. Sweater.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Most hotels provide a robe and slippers and hari dryer, small soap shampoo and conditioner. Bring your own if you need more.
My doctor provided an antibiotic in case I got tourista. It was very welcome and I did not lose any time working or playing as a result. Wet Wipes are very welcome especially at wildlife reserves where the facilities are very basic and generally no paper is provided.

Photo Equipment: Don't forget the telephoto. I have digital zoom but wished I had remembered my telephoto lens. The power converter if you have a rechargable camera and an extra battery.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: A small flashlight because power outages are frequent but usually very short.
A power converter escpecially if you bring your own hair dryer.
Binoculars for bird watching and wildlife parks.
Good sunglasses and a packable hat, long sleeve shirt or sun screen.

Miscellaneous: mc / visa and ATM card. Passport and business card or ID. Business cards
Plastic forks.
A good street map. GPS
Calculator. To convert currency and it is useful to communicate prices. You can hand it to the vendor and they can enter the numbers. Works in Japan, Peru or Thailand just as well.
Travel Alarm, phone num\bers, calling card, GSM quad band phone.(e.g. Blackberry / T-mobile)
Pens. Instead of giving begging children cash which gathers a crowd, bring along mini candy bars or pens to give to them. They are inexpensive and small to pack. Kids appreciate them.

Luggage and bags: Well I got one suitcase stolen at the airport-custom on my way back...better leave your Hard-Samsonite at home....

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: That would apply to most of the region but lots of TShirts, shorts, socks...and if you are on business trip...you still have to wear long pants, dressi shirts, etc...

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: those wet towels will save you

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: The weather can be a bit cold from October-January. So if you are travelling around these months make sure you have enough warm clothes.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Always carry mineral water and a couple of medicines for cough and cold.

Photo Equipment: Very scenic city....so be ready to click away to glory!!!

Luggage and bags: Backpack.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Clothes: see cultural tips. Shoes: good walking shoes and a pait of slippers.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: anti Malaria pills, mosquitonet, anti mosquito spary or cream, suncream, anti diarhoea pills.

Photo Equipment: Film is here. Watch the expiredates acrefully. Don't buy film that layed in the sun.

Luggage and bags: light. u can shop cheaply here

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: its either too hot or cold during the year, and depending on the proximity to the sea, so u gotta do ur shopping after arriving, most prefereably

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: beware,pack adequately,communication can be a hinderence here, but they sure got everything

Photo Equipment: carry batteries along just incase, foir ur camera

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: u could buy it hear,why all the kg's on ur back~

Miscellaneous: a few extra dollars, u will want to shop and shop more

Luggage and bags: Using a rucksack is deffinatelly the easiest way to travel around India. If you want to get any form of transport, believe me...the drivers will ensure that you and all your baggage fit into a small rickshaw! If you have a good rucksack it's quite easy to carry, even if you do feel like you've managed to pack the kitchen sink!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Good walking shoes are an absolute MUST!! We travelled during March, and it was HOT...make sure that your clothes are cool and easy to wash & dry without ironing.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Most toiletaries can be purchased in India, although for the ladies...take your essentials along. I honestly didn't pack a lot clothes wise, and then filled the space with a couple of rolls of toilet paper...(nice soft, double ply) We did appreciate it after the first day of having 'Delhi Belly'!!! Another good thing about is that, it gets used up and frees up space in your rucksack for gifts etc.

Photo Equipment: Films can be found in most places, although make sure you don't buy them from a shop where they are sitting in the hot sun all day long behind the glass pane...also check the expiry date.

Luggage and bags: Keep your cars door closed while you going for purchaes or some other reason. avoid to many bags. Try to reduce the number of Bags.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: good walking shoes

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: anti mosquito spary or cream, soap, shampoo, suncream

Photo Equipment: Buy the films only in colorlabs not in road side.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: quality sleeping bag

Miscellaneous: Make sure that you have change in Your hand