I
don’t even have to emphasise the need for these accessories. Just a few
pointers here:
a)
Needless to say, the sun-glasses should be 100% UV protected. Of course,
there’s a plethora of fancy brands available for the fashion conscious.
b)
Avoid tight baseball caps as the heat will give way to a sweaty scalp and what
does sweaty scalp cause? Dandruff! Instead, try the general cowboy hats that
are light on the head and airy too.
c)
Many among us are not in the habit of using sunscreen lotion. Even I wasn’t. In
fact I still hate it but it is a must, like a bad medicine. Else not only will
you come back home a thousand shades darker (this means a lot in a country
obsessed with fairness creams) but constant exposure of the skin to direct and
harsh sunlight also causes skin cancer. Other than that, you may also
experience sunburn and rapid ageing of the skin. Also the sun screen lotion needs
to be applied at least 45 minutes before you step out into the sun and the
ritual needs to be repeated every 3 hrs. I hate this but it really helps.
There
is only one answer to India’s summer woes when it comes to what one should wear
– Cotton. And preferably light coloured with full sleeves. Here’s one more
advice: Avoid technical fabrics like polyester, lycra, nylon and the dry-fit
ones that promise to keep you dry. They might work in controlled environments
like an air conditioned mall but when you’re out there in the sun, they’re some
of the most uncomfortable fabrics that you can wear. Stick to lightweight
cotton, period.
Yes,
your read that right. The Gamucha is a thin towel used generally in the eastern
parts of India i.e. Bihar, Jharkhand, U.P and Bengal. But it’s the most
wonderful piece of garment that you can carry on your travels. The best part
about the gamucha is that it dries within minutes after getting wet and is easy
to store and carry anywhere you go. The gamucha can double as your scarf if you
wish to cover your face and a thousand times better than those wet tissues that
end up making the skin sticky. The best part is that it dries in about
20-30minutes flat after a wash. Go for it!
The
air-conditioner is no more a luxury at least in urban India. Most luxury buses
these days are air-conditioned and from what I have noticed from my
travels is that people are now willing to pay more for their bus tickets if
they’re promised a comfortable ride. Travelling in AC buses not only preserves
your energy but makes the journey all the more pleasant.
There
is a reason why the tickets of early morning and late night buses are priced
higher than those that are scheduled for later in the day. That’s because
people prefer to travel early mornings or late evenings to avoid the piping hot
Sun. You should do that too.
One
of the worst things about travel in India is the unreliable quality of water.
Forget the foreign tourists even us natives are at times caught off guard and
struggle with bouts of dysentery once in a while. And the quality of water only
worsens in the summers. Keep a few tabs of your trusted medicine like I keep a
strip of Enteroquinol always with me.
While
the sun may dissuade us at every passing hour on hot summer days, the long
season comes with its own share of delights. I’m particularly fond of the
Lassi and always keep an eye for quality lassi counters wherever I go. For
example, Kailash Lassi is one joint where I make it a point to stop by whenever
I have to catch a bus to Pune or somewhere else from Dadar East. Among
sherbets, you’ll find the ubiquitous nimbu-paani wallah everywhere.
Just ensure that the quality of water is up to the mark. Some even use Bisleri
bottles! Also don’t forget sipping water all the time. This keeps you cool.
The
summer evenings in India have a charm of its own. Don’t stay put in your hotel
and instead step out for a walk. There is bound to be a garden nearby or just a
lonely road somewhere. Walk, sit, ruminate or just admire the light and feel of
the environment at dusk. Once in awhile it’s ok!!!
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