Long distance traveling in my country needs some pre-journey preparations. Food is one of the most important items. I do not care much when I am alone because I am used to all type of food even boiled Kaddu(red pumpkin) with some salt(no yuck please) and reasonably immune to Indian condition. However we take care when whole family is on the move.
Because of some past experience, we are very careful about water. In any railway station, we can buy water but what about its purity. There is a big question mark as per as purity is concern. So, we prefer to carry our water. I do not mind to carry a 15-liter jar. In case of very long journey we carry a small bottle of liquid chlorine(purchased from a drug store). In case of shortage, I take water from reasonably clean railway station and put drops(as advised) of liquid chlorine in it to make it safer.
Have you ever thought of carrying a packet of Electral(Oral Re-hydration Salts - O.R.S.) when you travel in summer? It really helps.
Once we were traveling from Howrah to Bombay by Gitanjali Express in the month of march when our elder son was just a year old. In the afternoon he was restless and was crying a lot. Less experience parents tried to cool him by giving chocolates etc but he refused to take it. After sometime he was not in a position to even cry. A Gujrati family was also traveling in the same compartment and the lady came forward to help us. She prepared a fluid with little salt and sugar and started feeding the kid. After sometime she took him to nearby AC compartment and continued to nurse him with other fluid like lemon juice(once again from co-passengers) till we reach Bombay at night. He recovered by the evening. We decided to stay back in Bombay instead of catching Borodra Express. We went to a nearby hotel and got him checked by a doctor. That doctor checked him and did not prescribe anything other than a Frooti. Son took it very fast and by around 12 pm, he was normal. We could not sleep upto 3 pm due to his masti. We learned something in a very hard way. Thanks to all co-passengers. They saved him.
Now a First Aid kit is more important than food packet. This kit normally contains a pack of Electral(without fail), some paracetamol, tablets like Gelusil(antacid), something for stomach upset and some ointments.
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Third important is Food. Normally we do not carry any cooked food other than boiled egg with shell in case of long distance journey. We take hot food from the pantry car because it is difficult carry for two days. It is big a problem if there is no pantry car. In that case, we carry some cooked food like Chana Masala, some egg items and roti.
We Normally carry following items -
Some mixed fruits like apple, banana and the citrus one. Banana is mostly available in any big railway stations.
Bread. Bread is available in most of the big railway stations but check its freshness. Fungus may create problem.
Jam and bread spread which do not require refrigeration.
Vegetable like cucumber, tomato and sauces for preparing Veg. Sandwitch. This is great timepass in the train and some may indulge in leg pulling.
Biscuits, cakes and some farsan. Chocolates are must.
Few plates and spoons
My suggestions -
During traveling it is better to eat less and avoid food from outside vendors.
Have enough fluid other than Coke etc. Try to carry fruit juice concentrates. Please be careful about water. Even a fellow like me may fall sick.
Avoid fried food like kanda-bhaji. These may cause acidity.
We avoid buying milk products even ice-cream and curd. These may create too much of problem. Once my colleague had problem after taking lassi.
(When you travel in West Bengal, you will find lot of vendors in train selling Bengali sweets and Singara(Samosa). Very tasty and I go for those when I am alone. Chori Chori Chupke Chupke kabhi kabhi kanoon thod ta hoon – lekin akel ghomne ka mauka hi nahi milta.)
We avoid non-vegetarian food(other than eggs) even from pantry car.
I buy fresh & hot snacks from big railway stations only.
Big ‘No’ to any alcoholic beverages. Never buy from the vendors in railway station even from the guys of pantry car.
After taking so much of care you may fall sick and there may be hundreds of reasons. Who knows? Carry some important medicines. These medicines may even save life of a co-passenger.
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So friend, play safe and enjoy your holidays