Moving from India to US : WHAT TO PACK ??

Well, we survived the whole throwing trash game and we are left with what to pack for our US stay. Here is the list of things you should pack with you for the waiting time when shipment comes. which can be around 3 months. We stayed in temporary housing rivet apartment.

1) Clothes : Pack clothes for 15 days, most probably you will get washer dryer in your apartment. There is no need to bring more clothes. For those of you who work, pack 2 pair of nightwear and more office stuff. For those who have to stay in apartment all day, pack like 3 apartment wearable t shirts pajamas and 7 or 8 outerwear. 
If there is a festival in those 3 months, pack traditional wear if you need it. You can always buy more clothes from malls in US. If you are looking for something cheaper, try old navy forever 21 ross. 
You can choose shoes according to weather. I brought just 2 and it worked out fine. If it gets colder, you have to have boots, leg warmers, caps, gloves, socks, jackets. If its thanksgiving or christmas time, you can pick from sales here.  If its summer time, you can bring anything. 

2) Chargers, converter : Bring all mobile chargers you need, all digicam laptop chargers along-with converter thing. You can buy converter in any electrical shop. Buy at least 2 from india.

3) Spices and groceries : List of items I packed for kitchen
                 Kasuri methi
                 All basic spices( turmeric chili corriander)
                 Almonds etc nuts you want
                 Wheat flour at least 3 kgs(till u c indian store)
                 Pickles, Papad
                 Water bottles 2 empty for apartment
                 Tea strainer
                 Chyawanprash
                 Tea
                 Cumin powder, Mango powder, sambhar powder
                 cumin mustard dried badi, asafoetida powder
                 Maggi, Chana masala
                 Favorite biscuits
                 MTR idli mix with microwave idli kit
                 Whatever spices you need on a daily basis
                 General medication with prescription
                 ( Get your health benefits within a month)
                All chapati kit, wooden rolling pin with base
                Probably you will not need chimta, sansi( hindi) 
     
In short, keep the groceries you are going to need for a month.  My friends bought tamarind, coffee filter and rice lentils. Just avoid things that can turn into a plant. We didn't bring rice, lentils. All the supermarkets have lobia, rajma, chana, rice and some dals. If you don't get toor dal, you can try any indian store nearby. If you bring more packets of some specific product, they suspect you are going to sell it and remove everything in airport checking. So keep it minimum. Although there have been people who brought too much stuff and were not stopped but why take chances. Its difficult to get instant veg noodles in beginning. After a while, when you are adjusted to city, you can buy everything. This list is to let you settle you in and not make transformation tough.

4) Laptop : If you are going to get laptop, I would advise putting it in the suitcase. You can carry notebook around in airport. Trust me, you won't like hanging with that weight and bag on your shoulders.

5) Travel size vanity : Preferably buy travel size lotions shampoo conditioner face packs shower gel loofah hair oil. You can buy more when you come here. Obviously, quality is better in US. If you are getting a better deal, feel free to stock up. Same goes for jockey stuff. Keep an eye on body shop or whatever brand you prefer for deals and options. You can even order online and accept when you land here. Bring your razor as it might take time to spot the perfect salon for you. If you want, pack liquid sindoor too and two pairs of slippers.  

6) Bath rugs : I brought 2 thin bath rugs from homecenter. I had no idea they would be so useful here. Bathrooms here are supposed to be dry so bath rugs help a lot. Put one near washbasin and one when you enter washroom. 

7) Ps3 games : My husband packed ps3 in suitcase too. He got games preloaded into it. Ohh, best decision ever. In US, everyone comes home by 6 so to pass time this one was a good option. You will get a tv, just plug it in and you are done. I know shop in chennai that gives games for 100 bucks. 

8) Cooker, idli stand : You might not need cooker since most of the apartments offer rice cooker and mixer grinder here. Just ask for them in reception. It will be better if you pack microwave idli stand. You can make idlis, dhoklas in it. Just mail and confirm if they provide and you can pack accordingly. We packed tawa too. No need to bring any other utensils, you will get everything in apartment. Pack one indian knife and peeler whichever you are comfortable in. We all love our knives. 

Buy mixer grinder if you don't have and bring it by shipment. Get new utensils according to city and apartments there. Some apartments have gas, some have coils, some have glass over coils. I would suggest throwing away all the old unused stuff and get from US. Make sure whatever you buy is microwave safe dishwasher safe and flat bottom. 

9) No cutlery at all : You will be provided with a fully functional kitchen, everything you will need like plates, spoons, bowls, quarter plates, oven trays ladles. Almost all of it. They even gave cutting boards, knives and a starter kit with tea coffee sugar biscuits. All the cooking pans were there. If you want, you can bring 2 small bowls.

10) Refrigerator boxes : Keep a few tupperware storage containers for storing dough, oil, extra flour left after cooking chapati. If you don't want to, just order food through amazon or any other food delivery service and you will get your extra containers. 

11) Lighter : Buy a lighter and pack. You will need it for candles or pooja. If there is a festival in that duration, you can even get all items you will need. Or you can just go to a friend's house to celebrate. I managed with dough diya and internet aarti. Its all in faith. God doesn't care if you put 100 poris or just one as long as you offer yourself unconditionally. Ooh, satyavachan. 

12) Diary, pen : If you are like me, you probably make notes of all events. So yeah pack it. 

13) Masala dabba : This is probably an extension. If you have space, pack it or just 4 small plastic cups from grocery store will work. Also, salt pepper will be provided by apartment authorities. You can pick bigger packs from nearby supermarkets. 

Well, if you have any questions feel free to mail me baghel.archana@gmail.com

Also I have written  3 other detailed articles on moving from India to US. Check them out on blog. Thanks all.