The Suitcase Squeeze

Now that my passport is finally back with me, it’s time to start thinking about packing. And it is going to take some thinking, as I’ve got 6 months worth of weather to pack for and (girlie wurlies of a nervous disposition look away now) only 15kg of luggage allowance. So I can forget hairdryers, straighteners and all that nonsense, and stick with the basics. I’ve been looking at various packing checklists and this is what I shall shortly be attempting to cram into a small suitcase and some handluggage (I’ll warn you, it’s a long and not particularly interesting list):

A few cotton skirts and baggy trousers

Loose cotton t-shirts

What I like to call my portable mosquito nets, loose, long lightweight tops to chuck over anything else

Cotton undies (skimpy thongs and frilly frenchies can stay well at home!)

Cotton socks (are you getting the theme here? Keep it breathable)

Lightweight but warm jumpers – layers, people!

Sandals

A pair of more robust trainers

A small bag that can be kept close to the body with vital things in

Bug spray (Jungle Formula Max – it may melt plastic, but my mozzie bites swell up like Malteasers)

Bite relief stuff

Suntan lotion

Soap

Painkillers

LOTS of Immodium

STERILE First Aid Kit (These are pricey, but they come with needles and syringes so should I end up in hospital I can be sure that the materials used in my treatment are sterile)

A small but unbelievably bright torch

Malaria tablets (Most areas in India are fine, except the bit I’m going to at the end. Typical.)

Water cleansing tablets and a filtering bottle to be super sure

Hand sanitiser

LADIES – This one’s important: Contraceptive pills. This isn’t because I anticipate bonking my way across the country, but it’s a tip I’ve been given by quite a few other girls – in areas where sanitary products are difficult to come by, it’s easier and more hygienic to just put a stop to the whole lady eggs process for the duration of your trip.

Then there’s what my brother refers to as ‘The Blue Folder of Doom’, a vital weapon my Dad will pull out at the slightest sign of bother and produce a magic piece of paper to fix the problem. My magic papers include:

Contact details of everyone imaginable

Insurance documents

Airport hotel booking confirmation

Plane tickets

Copy of Visa documents

Copy of passport

Not the most thrilling of blog posts, I know, but it just might be useful to you one day. The next one should hopefully be from Udaipur!