ESSENTIALS
 | Travel Pack or Hiking Back Pack: It might be wise to pack for Calcutta almost like a camping trip if you've never been abroad before. Suitcases are not recommended. You must be light and portable. It is wise to carry your pack and not let it out of your sight. Travel Backpacks with a zip-off day pack are convenient. |
| Fanny Pack or Small Back Pack: You'll use it daily. Use a small backpack as a daypack (this can be your carry on) |
| Money Belt: It can go around your waist or be a pouch around your neck, but a safe place for passport and cash is essential. The waist-style seemed to work better for most. Grey hides the inevitable dirt. |
| Flashlight: The electricity in Calcutta is temperamental. Sometimes it goes off at scheduled times daily and you need a torch. It can be helpful if you do any extra traveling as well. A small one will work |
| Shampoo: Although this always leaks inside your luggage, you'll need some to start off with. It's available in India. (Be sure to put it in a plastic baggie to avoid spillage). |
| Vitamins: Vitamin C to fight off the runny nose and sore throat, and a multi-vitamin for your health. These are not easy to find in Calcutta, but I found them at the chemist for relatively inexpensive. |
| Powdered Drink Mix: Gatorade, Exceed, Tough, and anything with nutrients and electrolytes. Warm water is not so appealing when it's just plain. Also good for rehydration when sick. Bring a flavor you know you like. |
| Matches or a cigarette lighter |
| Iodine Tablets: Sometimes called "Potable Water." Good if you're out in the villages, etc. Bring Iodine PLUS or drink mix with vitamin C (ascetic acid) to neutralize iodine taste. This is optional- I have heard people use these- I didn’t while I was there though. |
| Bug/Mosquito Repellent: Recommended brand is Ultra Thon because it does not get absorbed into your skin. Bring enough to get you through the hot months. Good quality repellent is not available in India. Permanone is useful for spraying bedding, clothing, and your room. The bugs in Calcutta are aggressive. Make sure it has DEET in it- powerful stuff but gets the job done. |
| Sheet: Bring one big sheet sewn up like a sleeping bag. It will be a travel blanket and a bed sheet that you know is clean. If you don't like to look at dirt, don't choose white. |
| Ear plugs: Not everyone will use these, but they're good just in case. Calcutta is a loud city and with several people to a room, it can be hard to sleep, especially during Hindu celebrations. |
| Sunscreen: You won't need much. The pollution in Calcutta protects you from the UV rays most of the time. If we go to the Himalayas, though, the sun is intense. |
| Lotion: A small container is plenty. It's nice to have something that smells good but anything like perfume or cologne attracts mosquitoes. Avon'sSkin So Soft has a false reputation as a bug repellent, but makes a good lotion. The climate is humid in Calcutta, your skin won't dry out much. |
| Deodorant: Two containers will last 3 months. This I would not forget because it is hot and sticky in Calcutta and it doesn't seem to be easily available in India. One opinion is that it's not worth the trouble since the effect is minimal. |
| Tampons: You cannot buy these in India, however you can find maxi pads anywhere. |
| Toothbrush |
| Toothpaste: Can be bought in any corner store in Calcutta for 50¢ |
| Toilet Paper: Bring some dense tp for the beginning of the trip. We can buy some when we get there but it won’t be super great quality for “heavy loads” (yeah, guys I went there). Locals don’t use TP so you’ll have to carry a roll with you are all times. |
| A towel and wash cloth: a hand towel is good as well. Bath towels can be bought in Calcutta. |
| Antibacterial Bar Soap: Refills can be bought in the corner stores there. |
| Cord or Clothesline: For hanging clothes. |
| Bandanna: Multiple are helpful, large enough to cover your whole head (to help avoid lice). Also good for cleaning (train seats, room, etc.), blowing nose, wiping sweat, cleaning glasses, and more. Essential for men and women. |
| Combination Lock and luggage locks: For securing your room or belongings. Good quality ones are not available in Calcutta. |
| Batteries: For flashlight, walk-man, or camera. They are available in India, but expensive. |
| CD player and you fav music: good at drowning out sounds of when you want to be alone. Can’t wear them in public though. |
| Camera and Film: Both available in Calcutta, same film brands as the U.S. Be careful of the airport baggage X-Ray machines that can fog your film. |
| Sewing Kit . |
| Pictures of Family, Friends, and Home Scenes: People are interested in your life and it's nice to have a reminder of home. |
| Journal: India is overwhelming at times. To understand your thoughts and ideas, it helps to write once in a while. Also, you will want to remember the interesting stories that happen to you. |
| Ziplock bags: Good for carrying wet clothes, storing food, keeps things from spilling all over in your bag; the list goes on and on. |
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
(The chemists in Calcutta are pretty good to
foreigners. Write what you want down on a piece of paper rather than trying
to pronounce it. Drug quality is usually second-rate compared to America
though. No prescription required of course.)
| First Aid Kit: Band-Aids, iodine/mercurochrome for wounds, antibacterial ointment, ace bandage, Extra-Strength Tylenol, medical tape, gauze pads and thermometer (digital or sticky strip kind, the mercury may break). |
| Pepto-Bismol: Coats your stomach, helps prevent stomach aches. Comes in pills or liquid. |
| Immodium A.D.: Bring the kind that comes in pills. |
| Laxative: Again, pills are easier to carry than the liquid medicine. |
| Rolaids or Tums: The spices might get to you for the first few weeks. |
| Cough Medicine: Something like Benadryl. The pollution causes some people to get minor bronchial problems and allergies. Cough drops are helpful too. |
| Extra Gauze Bandages: If you don't use these, they can be donated. They are good for general wounds and infections. |
| Oral Rehydration Solution: This you can buy in the corner stores in Calcutta under the name "Electrol." |
| Nyquil: Anything to help you sleep. |
Extra Items Depending on Your Needs
| Hair conditioner: Available in Calcutta at Treasure Island, but expensive. |
| Water Filter: Not necessarily recommended, because of expense and weight. Bottled water is available everywhere, and if not, iodine will do on rare occasions. |
| A Small Map of the World: Travelers come from far and wide to work with Mother herself. It's nice to learn a little geography. |
| Travel Wipes: Very handy for washing up, especially when traveling. Anti-bacterial are best. |
| Sink Plug: round, flat plastic/vinyl type seemed to work well. |
| Playing Cards: We found they were a trading tool; bring an extra deck. |
| Scissors |
| Water Bottle: One or two are good for mixing powdered drinks and carrying around town. When you buy bottled water, however, that bottle is sufficient. |
| Astringent: One way to help you feel clean. Stridex or other acne-type wipes work wonders. |
| Sunglasses: Especially helpful for women. It makes walking down the street more tolerable - with dark lenses you can look around without having to make unwanted eye-contact. |