Adventures in India

Valuables are a constant source of concern while traveling. It is tempting to have a camera o­n hand or a laptop or credit cards, but when immersed in the here and now, it can get to be a burden we don't want. There are simple things we can do, to make our experiences convenient and light.
The valuables we carry with us are the result of a compromise we make between luxury and practicality. There are other important things that we need to carry and can't avoid. Examples of these could be passports, traveler's cheques and credit cards.Simple things we can do can keep our minds at peace and allow us the freedom to indulge in the experience rather than play guard to our possessions.

1. Try to be well informed about where you are going, and the kind of facilities you can expect there. For example, a wilderness living camp without access to electricity is not the best place to carry your laptop. It will run out of power very soon, and will likely be exposed to a lot of dust and knocks in the process.
2. Try and carry a small day pack for your valuables. If they aren't much, a waist pouch is good too. Important documents, money, mobile phones and credit cards are best carried o­n the person. Cameras, fancy gear and stuff is all tempting to people who'd like to use the anonymity of travel to pick up some easy possessions. A day pack allows you to easily keep them with you, while leaving your hands free fo the things you'd really like to do.
3. Most of the time, there are areas you can trust available. Some tour operators will offer to keep valuables safe under lock and key with the tour equipment; hotels can offer lockers, a trusted driver makes for simply keeping your things safe in a locked vehicle. Try to explore and use such facilities to keep your load light.
4. Do not trust anyone without having information about them. The most honest looking person in the world may not actually be so, and it is a difficult lesson to find it out the hard way. As far as possible, use facilities you can reasonably trust - bigger hotels, tour operators you have been working with or know for some time, etc.
5. Never ever trust your money in any form, mobile phones or identification papers to anyone. Waterproof waist pouches are very convenient, light and go absolutely anywhere with you.
6. Keep details and back ups of your valuables. Photocopies of traveler's cheques, credit cards, serial numbers of expensive equipment, etc can easily be stored in an email account or a separate place in your luggage for easy reference in case things go wrong.
7. All said, India is a reasonably safe place to travel in. All it takes is presence of mind. Don't blindly trust any o­ne you wouldn't trust o­n a street back home and things should be fine.

If you have suggestions you would like to add to this list, share them in the comments and we can expand this list.