India

[Maria Bohle]

Hello Friends,
I am looking for advice and suggestions.
I am planning a month long trip to India in the new year with several student homeopaths.
This is for studying and working in a clinic.

Questions - vaccinations? Is there anything homeopathic we should consider taking before we go? This is a busy clinic so I anticipate we will be exposed to lots of diseases we have not encountered in the USA.
What do women wear when working in a clinic?
Any thing we should be aware of?
Are American Travelers Checks any good there? How about our credit cards?
Thanks for the benefit of your experience.
Feel free to writ me privately if this info is not of interest to the whole group.
Maria

[Rochelle Marsden com]

I went to India and worked in a clinic with Dr ramakrishnanan. I didn't do any vaccinations as I had decided to treat anything if I was ill. You do need to spray yourself against mosquitoes. I made up a mixture of neem oil and citronella.

We ate only in the hotel and Dr ramakrishnanan arranged lunch to be sent in for us every day from a local hotel. It is wise not to eat street food and always drink only bottled water making sure that the top is sealed and not been refilled and sold.

I ate ginger root every day to protect from stomach problems. You can also make it onto a tea.

I actually can't remember what I did for money but I would not have taken travellers cheques. I usually take cash with me and change it there.

Somewhere on my laptop is a copy of my experiences which I wrote for a honeopathic magazine if you would like to see it.

Where in india are you actually going?
Rochelle

[Tanya Marquette]

On a couple of occasions now I sent my daughter abroad armed with
homeopathic remedies for basics as well as those useful for the major diseases
of the region. Also, things like grapeseed oil, echinacea and golden seal, Vit C, Vit D3,
a good probiotic.

I think upping the nutritional support at least 1 month in advance of traveling is very
useful.

When I traveled a bit years ago, would eat out of the local markets paying attention to
the foods that kept the local population healthy. For example, hot foods in hot climates
always seem to support the gut and kill invading microorganisms.

Sounds like a great venture being planned.

t

[Rochelle Marsden com]

Hi Maria,

Pretty sure you won't have malaria in Goa as it is a seaside place inhabited by lots of English. I know 2 people in my town who have properties there. I have never heard of Pune so can't advise. I was in Chennai.

My mixture wasn't in a spray- sure add coconut oil.

I will try to find my article and send to your email

Rochelle

[Elham Mohajer]

Poona and Goa are fairly good cities so you won't need to worry much.
Now if you were going to Calcutta you would need to follow the three golden rules Don't eat anything, don't drink anything and don't breathe.
anyway - eat everything cooked - no salads
You might get tempted to have fresh fruit juice - don't - they are the most dangerous
The fruit juice is fresh but the juicer might not have been washed
Tea should be fine in a hotel but not on the trains they are made by artificial milk
Fruits are fine
But be careful about oraanges if they feel too heavy don't buy them sometimes they are injected with water
everything else should be fine
No need for vaccination

[Leilanae]

Hi Maria,
Maybe do some research on customs, social etiquette, eye contact, etc.
SEALED bottled drinking water only
Peeled (peel yourself) or fresh cooked veggies or fruit only. No street vendor food. Well cooked meat only.
Insect repellent

Sun screen
Google “How to use an Indian bathroom”

tissue and LOTS of hand disinfectant.
Here’s a comment from journeywoman website:
Aside from good walking shoes and sandals, a one-piece bathing suit and cotton bras and underwear – or, if you prefer, the synthetic kind that wicks away sweat – don’t bring any clothes to India. If you land in Delhi, head straight to one of the Fabindia outlets and stock up on inexpensive cotton “suits.” The three-piece suit (in Hindi, salwar kameez) consists of a long or short tunic over fitted or wide-legged pants, topped with a long scarf, called a dupatta. These outfits suit the climate, the need for modesty and will help you fit in, mitigating your status as a moving target for gawkers, touts and beggars.
Check frommers.com for money choice and exchange rate info
At least two sources of money not kept together. Leave photo copies of itinerary, passport, credit cards, etc. with someone in the States that you can contact. And keep a copy of your passport with you, but separate from the original
Atb,
Leilanae

[Maria Bohle]

Great advice, thanks so much.

[Maria Bohle]

Wonderful advice, thank you.

[Roger Barr]

I just finished my sixth trip to India in June; including 3 weeks in the Kolkatta (Calcutta) area. I loved Calcutta.

I never vaccinated. But I would check on the internet to see if there are any epidemics in the areas that you will be visiting and come prepared with homeo-prophylaxis. When you arrive at a destination seek out a homeopath that you would trust to treat you should you get sick.

Get or Bring lots of Vit-C;(its a cure-all) in addition to a homeopathy kit.

I would rather get malaria than douse myself with DEET continually during the trip. The natural mosquito repellants seem only partially effective. The smoke rings that they use in India usually have insecticide in them. I think you can find some that dont but I dont like breathing smoke all the time.

I got Malaria once in an area that had a serious epidemic with thousands of deaths as reported officially. The MD homeopath that I went to cured me in 3 days. No recurrence. My guess is that with a healthy immune system the risk of serious harm or death is low.

If you want to eat fruit or veggies without peeling it, buy a bucket and Potassium Permanganate at a local pharmacy, for soaking it. You can find instructions on the web.

You can bring a small camping water filter that has activated charcoal and additionally a small UV sterilizer in order to avoid contributing to the mounds of waste plastic bottles.

I never had a problem drinking fresh juices including sugar cane at vendors. I wouldnt worry about it if the stall looks clean. My belief is that the fresh enzymes in the juice sterilize well enough. You could bring your own cup. The Indian method of drinking is to not touch the lips to the glass.

Just bring several credit cards (in case you lose one) and cash backup; keep them separate. I had electronic copies of all my documents which helped for quick replacement when my passport "went missing" (in Barcelona).

Enjoy India. Check into a nice hotel or have a luxury meal once in a while when it all becomes too much.

Roger

[Roger Barr]

I would clarify that I was in the outskirts of Kolkatta, not down town. I was doing the homeopathy workshop with Angie Metzeger. Down town Kolkatta is intense. The countryside of West Bengal is beautiful.

Roger