How do I get in touch with MasterQuark?

Question

He has answered several questions in Travel and I'm intrested in his book. Hello?...Is there anybody in there?..

Answer 1

You have summond Master Quark,
Book is still in note stage ('Everything the India Travel Guides Just Got Wrong or Forgot To Tell You')

Here, chew on this, then e-mail me with a question,

ANSWER ON WHAT TO WEAR IN INDIA

I go to India 3 months every year. Of course allot depends on where and when you are going a, here''s a brief lowdown:


FOR MEN: Good Khaki pants with extra pockets are in my opinion ideal..(if you don't get into my suggestions below)... (Velcro the pockets or get them with zippered pockets so when sleeping on a train you don't rain your belonging down on the person in the berth below you)..Blue jeans tend to be a bit heavy and HOT. Shorts are not really appreciated in India (the Indians tend to look down on people who wear shorts and the sun can be so strong you will burn)..

Your can buy light weight cotton pants all over India (I wear Alagars white cotton that bunch up at the legs...with the Kurta top it's traditional Rajasthani garb....)

All over India you can buy cotton Kurta tops (Kurtas are men's wear) Females can buy Punjabi outfits (Salwars) 2 piece suite that's perfect for the weather)...Both are ideal (very lightweight and the air just blows through them).
If you really want to be comfortable just buy what is called a 'Kurta Pajama' (they are not pajamas..it's top and bottom)....My girlfriend replaces the string tie on the pants with stretch elastic. In a Kurta you will get respect from the locals.....I actually always wear long sleeve Kurtas, I burn due to a medication (check out my picture that's a very colorful one).

Interestingly you will see Indian men always in western cloths; but when they go home then they don their more traditional clothes....don't ask why: the traditional are much more comfortable.
If you want to stay in western cloths bring comfortable pants...and not too many shirts...all kind of shirts can be had in India for a song.
FEMALES: Punjabi suites cannot be beat. Sariis are a bit ricky and few westerners wear them although my girlfriend has mastered the art of wrapping a Sarii.

For hill stations and cold climate wear bring what you like (a good nylon jacket is light and Handy) ..Cold weather clothes like sweaters and the like you will NOT want to buy in India....styles tend to be strange and quality can be quite questionable. (Sure you can find nice cold weather wear in India; but do you really want to look like Goofey until you find them?)

If you going to wash you own clothes always wash any colored Indian clothes (first time) separately, some bleed like a sacrificial lamb!

AND BE SURE TO BRING GOOD COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES! You're gonna walk more than you ever have in your life! (and over all sorts of strange and bazaar things...cow dung being just one)! Good shoes can be had in Connought Place in Delhi..but shoes are so critical in India better to bring your own...ankle support is important at first (until you get used to navigating around cow dung, giant holes in street and many other obstacles).

What to take? Most things you will need can be bought in India Now and usually cheaper than west: DVD digital camera tape, all kinds of cosmetics, batteries, TP, etc.

But there are things that can not be had in India. Items listed below you should bring from west!

240v to 120v converter if you are coming from USA and bringing electronics (digital camera recharger for example)...and an India adapter plug (critical)
1/8-1/4 plastic coated cable (braided) (to lock bags down on train) and small hoops on end (got to fit thought train's hoops)...
A good light weigh combination lock for the hotels, use on train too
(not available in India)
Small locks for bags or backpacks...
A small Mag flashlight (the lights go out in India at the most bazaar times. like when your trying to open your combination lock in the hall of the hotel and nature's calling, actually yelling).
Deet, Mosquito repellent...
Good SPF suntan lotion, zinker...(Indians don't use suntan lotion)
a hat...(to protect from sun)..can be bought in India but to be stylish better get in West..might be a while before you see one you like!
Bring silicon EARPLUGS...Indian hotels can be quite noisy all night long (all of India drones and dins 24 hours a day)
I bring rub on antiperspirant (I do no like Indian deodorants)
Passport pouch (wear under underwear) keep passports, return air tickets and Travelers Checks in, put under pillow in hotel or tie very loosely to leg so next morning YOU WON'T FORGET IN HOTEL! ..
A real or knock off Swiss Army knife
Gifts for kids..cheap Bic pens..Pens are always asked for by school kids...goofy weird things like cheap glow in dark toys, western candy
Something to put in mineral water, if after a while you gonna go nuts drinking 1-4 liters of MW a day, sugar free Wylers, Iced tea mix, etc...
Bring sunglasses that you are comfortable with...although they can be had in India very cheaply

Any meds (although in Delhi and most of India, westerners can buy anything wanted over the counter except some controlled substances..if turned down go to another pharmacy)...

Vaccines can be had in Delhi for a fraction of the cost in the West
less than 20% (Dr. Gupta in Paharganj, Delhi, 1468 Sangatrashan Tel Clinic 2358-7841 (near the vegetable market) very nice and very safe you need to be up to date on Typhoid, Tetanus, Cholera, Polio, Dysentery, Hep A, Hep B, Must take a Malaria profalxtic, Rabies (optiona,l but if you get bit it's going to cost you big time and may not be available in all India) check CDC website if I forgot something...

Also check in 'Lonely Planet' on things to bring...me getting tired and I may have forgotten..think I covered most..

Gangamanta AKA Master Quark

Answer 2

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