[please pardon my excitedness.]

Guess what!

I'm going to India next month! Whoo! My grandmother called the other night and told me that they needed more people to go on a two week "mission" trip giving free eye-exams and glasses to people in India. :) It sounds like it's going to be a lot of work, but it'll be cool to see India. Hehe.

Since there are a lot of people here from other countries, and people that seem well-traveled, I wanted to ask if there's anything I should be sure take with me on this trip. I've got handwipes/baby-wipes, and purell, plenty of clothes, that sort of thing. I've sent in the work for my passport and tomorrow I get my shots. *ouch* *hates needles* Is there anything anyone can reccomend to take with me or bring back from there?

BUG SPRAY! And a few disposable cameras, perhaps

Bug spray. *adds to list*

I have a good digital camera...I just need to steal my mom's memory cards.

Sunscreen too. You don't know if it'll be really sunny there or not. Also a raincoat and some nice durable sneakers, but I recommend bringing those anywhere.

And socks. Lots of socks.

Well I'll give you my horror story, just to give you advice. When I went on EuroTrip 2004 (haha, ok to Germany Austria and Switzerland with some school people) in June, my luggage got lost and hasn't been returned to this day. The thing that got my by until I could buy some clothes was having an extra set of clothing in my carryon. Do that :P

*check...check*

Thanks!

Actually...I've heard it's monsoon season... I should look that up and find out what it's going to be like, and if it really is monsoon season.

depending on where you're going, then, bring a raincoat and a small inflatable raft. :D

Hmm, make sure your shoes are very comfy ones :D
Cameras, definetely...i'd have a small supply of chaching if possible too.

bring medicines of all sorts (tylenole, dimetap, etc)
mosquito netting, you have no idea what the mosquitos are like, insane
don't wear any flashy jewellery (ie, gold/silver fake or not)
juice/food (juice packages that come in threes, kraft dinner, canned soup, stuff like that)
vitamens (don't eat meat there, especially in restaraunts(except in maybe airport hotels), you don't know how it's been cooked)
bottled water. loads of bottled water. Don't buy bottled water from stores either, take the tap water, boil it and chill it in the fridge, it's safer that way, believe it or not

my family is from India, I've been there three times, every time we go I dread going >.< oh well, so that's how I know all that stuff ;) if you have anymore questions just ask :)

Oh, bring aspirin. My dad always does that when he goes to other countries; I don't know why but if you get sick it'll be helpful.

continuing Jazz's post: Don't buy food from roadside stands. It's like the meat thing.

Yeah...we're not supposed to eat live produce or drink their water. Heh...