Namaskar! (Thats Hindi for "hello") So I'm quickly discovering that there are several key preparations neccesary for a trip to India. Most of them unexpected and quite costly. I would recommend saving about $3,000 for the entire trip. And that includes EVERYTHING. First, I had to get my passport renewed. Although it will not expire until June of 2007, in order to travel to India one must have a valid passport for up to 6 months AFTER the dates of travel. Realizing this a bit too late in the game, I had to rush my passport. Now, I realized this a month prior to departing, BUT, don't forget, there is the visa that is needed for India as well. The passport process normally takes about 2 weeks, if they aren't backlogged. An Indian visa takes about 5 full days, also if they aren't backlogged. I wanted to play it safe so I rushed both the passport and the visa applications. Already, I was at about $200.
Even to my own shame, I don't own a digital camera which has been the third largest expense next to the airplane tickets and the clothing. I like to buy top of the line electronics because it will most likely be another decade before I upgrade. So I purchased the new 10 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSCN-R2 with the touchscreen. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow, I may have to include a separate blog all about it with a review. That set me back $444 including shipping, taxes, extended battery, quick charger and all accessories.
Then there are the vaccinations. Even with good insurance, expect to pay about $150 in medical bills for the vacccinations. You will need a Tetanus shot, Hepatitis A and B shots, and a Thyphoid fever shot. There are also antibiotic pills Dioxicycline pills that must be taken in order to avoid contracting malaria, and those pills run about $10 - WITH insurance. Be sure to check the Center for Disease Control for health precautions.
Realizing that I didn't have any clothes to wear that would keep me cool in 110 degree weather and still look fly, I took my lunch-hour to go clothes shopping at the Gap in Westwood. I discovered after several wrong turns that the Gap is no longer in Westwood. Oh well, I thought. I will have to go closer to the house to find the Gap. As I was walking back to the office, I caught a big sale sign in the window of Ann Taylor. Walking into Ann Taylor only for a pair of slacks for work, I instead stumbled upon a huge sale that had lightweight safari-style clothes on sale for about $24.99 a top. I mean - beautiful hand-crafted tunics at 60% off and airy cotton pants. Ch-ching! Another $400 spent on clothes, shoes and desert accessories.
However, there is a light at the end of this money wind tunnel. I hit up the 99cent store for all of the toiletries and knick knacks that I figure I will also need. I loaded up on 99cent store aspirin, laxatives, sleeping pills, lotion, toothpaste, Disney pens (as gifts for the village children), antibacterial hand-liquid, Kleenex, earplugs, and more. There are always more economic possibilities, it just takes a bit of mindful frugality.
Alas, I still need to load up on cotton undergarments, a converter (which will be loaned to me by my friend Lanaja), and a dress to wear to the wedding, which I will buy In India when Rajiv buys his wedding tux. That actually sounds kinda fun. And a heckova lot cheaper than the white dress I bought at Ann Taylor. Which, I was told by a friend who also married his wife in India that it is not always best for a young woman to wear white at an Indian wedding, but for different reasons. Unlike the traditional white usually worn by western brides, the Indian wedding dresses are often red because white is a color of mourning in many areas of the world. At least, that is what I was told. I am not sure if that stands true in a all areas of Delhi, but I figure it is best to play it safe and go shopping in India for a brightly-colored lehenga once we arrive in Delhi. Although, if I can get away with it, I think a saree is cuter.
