Here is the first of information on India, and just the beginning for those truly interested.In the year 2000 the population of India turned to 1.4 billion.
Population growth rate 1.58% Infant mortality rate is 64.9 deaths/1000 births.
Life expectancy is 62.5 years Slightly more than 1/3 the size of the U.S. Elevation : 0 m to 8,598m
In 1991 there were 4,635 different people groups identified.
There are 381 listed languages in the Ethnologue. 33 spoken languages and 28 common ones.
There are 46 of those languages with the complete Bible. 35 New Testaments 60 portions complete
India is made up of 78.8% Hindu, 12% Muslim, .7% Buddhist 1.92% Sikh 1.5% Tribal, 1.9 Protestant, 2.61% Christian. 200 Years ago William Carey left for India There are 110 million muslims in India In 1992, 500,000 aids virus carriers were documented in Bombay & Calcutta
3.2 million suffer from Leprosy in India. The largest city in the U.S. is population of 17 million
India has 10 million people who are blind. The pop. of Houston is 3.5 million. Dallas 3 million
The population of Calcutta is 13.4 million. Bombay has 13 million
The average income per person in India is $350/ year; public debt in India per person is $85.
The average income per person in the U.S. is $21,000; public debt in U.S. per person is $14,300
INDIA REQUIREMENTS:
Passports and Indian Visa required. The trip consists of cross cultural exposure: to inner city life, to village and semi-nomadic life, to Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Study and reading required. Team work and flexibility is a must. Great health and good shape are extremely necessary for this trip. Short Term Travel Insurance is purchased as part of the cost of this trip. Therefore, I need your beneficiary name, address, phone number. I also need your passport # and your visa # asap. Flexible is the word here for the entire trip - you may find yourself closely sitting together in a jeep with 8 of us for a long time either really cold or really hot and really bad b.o.!
APPROXIMATE ITINERARY FOR INDIA:
Day 1- Day 2 - Travel to India
Day 3 - Day 4 - Training & Exposure - tour to mosques, temples, shrines, etc. Delhi
Day 5 - Day 10 - Travel and site #1
Day 11-Day 18 - Travel and site #2
Day 19- Day 22 - Travel and site #3
Day 23 - travel to DFW
By Feb 15 your check for half of your trip $(1600) needs to be in the MW office.
You are responsible for getting your passport costing about $60, if you do not have one, and attaining your Visa costing about $60. The Indian Visa application is below. It is very important that you fill this out immediately and mail it with your passport to the Indian Consulate closest to your home (Houston or L.A.)
You will also need to bring 3 extra passport size photos as they are needed at other times on the trip. The dates to be traveled may change according to flight availability but right now we will leave from Dallas on May 19 and return June 11th . You must be at the airport 2 hours ahead of this and meet me at the American Airlines , DFW or LAX airports, counter by the correct time. You must not be late!*! Those of you joining us from other places may have other connections that you will let me know about.
“But at times, I wondered if I had not come a long way only to find that what I really sought was something I left behind.” Mt. Everest Climber
It is highly advisable for you to seek your doctors help in securing malaria medicine called Lariam to be taken 1-2 weeks before we leave, while we are gone(3 wks.) and 2 weeks after you return. Also a prophylactic antibiotic such as Bactrim or a stronger one for stomach/digestive problems is suggested. Please bring your own Pepto Bismal, which if taken 2x daily could stop a parasite from attaching itself to the wall of your stomach. Also you need to acquire a small eye dropper bottle containing real clorox which you will drop into your drink to kill everything but typhoid germs. This you will put in a very good zip lock bag. Unless you really like tye-dye clothes! If you have not had your Tetanus Booster shot in the last 5 -8 years you need to get this again. Check with the World Health Organization to see if there is a need for other shots.
The following is recommended:
*Malaria medicine - Lariam or Mefloquine for prevention absolutely necessary!
*Prevention of Insect bites. necessary
*Tetanus (up to date needed every 10 years) necessary
*Polio (up to date booster) necessary
*Typhoid (high reccomendation capsules and injection available)
*Immune Globulin or Hepatitis A (recommended /protects for 4 weeks - we will be in rural areas.)
*Meningoccocal (recommended for travelers going to Nepal and the Delhi region of India) but I do not get this one anymore.
*Cholera (low reccomendation - risk is so low)
*Japanese encephalitis (very small chance)
*Yellow fever - not recommended/ not required for U.S. to Indian Subcontinent travelers
Hepatitis A & B are recommended for everyone especially those who work where we do. At least get these started.
“No one goes so far or so fast as the man / woman who does not know where he / she is going. “ Old Himalayan Proverb.
PACK LIGHT: You must carry what you pack. Back packs are the best. Do not bring huge box type bags as these are difficult to get on and off trains and buses. Bring two smaller bags if possible. You are allowed one carry on, and maybe a purse/back pack. It is suggested that you purchase an undetectable money belt/ passport wallet.(worn under your clothes) Pack/wear durable shoes that are extremely comfortable. Parts of this trip will be extremely taxing and will test your endurance of heat and discomfort.
I encourage you to get in shape before this trip like walking A LOT more and losing a few of your Holiday pounds. All clothes must be very modest. If there is any doubt, don’t bring it. Lightweight, easy to wash, fast to dry pants/skirts/shirts are great. Shorts are never appropriate except for the tourist days which there maybe 2. Otherwise we will be with nationals whom we do not want to offend or cause them to be hindered by our dress. The women wear saris and churidas (lightweight pants and calf length tops) which the women on this trip will buy 3-4 outfits to wear continously on this trip. No other western clothes will be worn the duration of this trip. Men bring 2 pair light weight khaki type pants/zip offs are great.
“O Momma, take me home.” - Mantra of a burned out trekker
Now to packing. Think succinctly! Lightly! Sturdy attitude! FLEXIBLE!
A Back pack that zips to a smaller back pack is the best! Nothing big and bulky because of the travel on trains, buses, jeeps etc. Well trained worked out body! If you haven't been walking hard start now! Laughing skills intact and readily accessible! Smiling is really good.
Guys
1-2 pairs of lightweight kakhis/ pants /zip offs - great
4-5 lightweight button shirts.
Good sandles or all-terrain shoes
2-3 prs. Socks 5-7 boxers/underwear
1 long sleeve shirt if trekking North
2 t-shirts (not solid white t-shirts)
1 pr. Shorts (or the zip offs)
lightweight pancho
toiletries
gifts for guys (see ideas below)
camera and lots of film
camp soap
flashllight
pepto bismal, chewables or pills
nutrigrain bars
journal
$200-$300 spending money
Water Bottle ordered from Pentapur - www.tealbrook.com
**1 or 2 pictures of your family just to be able to tell your story and past!
**Plus your very succinct story of what God has done in your life.
Girls - you will buy 3-4 India type suits (@$15 each)
1 pr lightweight pants
1 lightweight shirt Be careful of the see-thru effect
1 wrap skirt
4-5 underwear 2 bra/sports bras
3 pr socks
sturdy sandles, and hiking shoes/boots
1 light long sleeve shirt
lightweight pancho - take pillow from airplane
safety pins / gifts for girls see ideas below
small sunscreen, 1 really good book to share
camera/ lots of film and batteries - they are hard to find.
Flashlight mosquito repellant
good humor/ develop affinity for rice
pepto bismal/ chewables or pills
nutrigrain bars/small snacks
Water Bottle ordered from Pentapur - www.tealbrook.com
Modest swim suit
** 1 or 2 pictures of your family just to be able to tell your story and past!
** Plus your very succinct story of what God has done in your life.
Important Note : "You will NEVER turn on the tap and brush your teeth - EVER, but if you are forgetful purchase Gatorade powder packets for those days when you feel ill. If you have access to Oral Rehydration Solution packs, take them"- from a traveler who forgot
Small gifts for people we meet along the way. Brings 5-8 thing each and then we will have enough! For example: perfume soaps, picture frames, stationary, jewelry, pencils, paper, chalk, bandana, handkerchief, balloons, bubbles, small balls, blow up beach balls, lighters,small flashlights, small tools, etc, etc., ,...
We will be staying in 2 or 3 person rooms along the way. I trust that we will all be very flexible as this kind of trip demands it. Plan for the worst... like all of us in a bus , for a really long time, or something then it won’t be bad at all
Blessings on you as you plan and prepare your heart, mind and body for our Lord’s service.
Joy and Laughter, Janet Dorrell