An unofficial guide for Onsite travel:
Like most of the Indian IT coolies, I too dreamed about coming to onsite and get salary in usd. After 5 years, this dream has become true. Its been 2 months in US. Some of the myths which I had before coming here was totally broken. Many new surprises awaited for me.
I'm sharing some tips, which may be use full for the first time travellers
1. Pressure Cooker : Before packing the pressure cooker, check with people with whom you will stay. Avoiding a pressure cooker can save 2-3 kg.
2. Blankets : If you are traveling during a summer time, you don't have to carry a blanket. This can save you upto 2 kg. (I traveled during peak summer time and I still carried a 2.5 kg raymonds woolen blanket :( )
3.Most of the Us cities have Indian store. Avoid bringing rice, dhal and masala powders. Most of the Indian brands are available in US (MDH, Sakthi, Aachi, MTR etc). If you are bringing spices from India then pls avoid "Kasakasa"
4.Have at least 20 pairs of inner wear. This is very important.
5.Get a decent sun glass. In Us, you have to spent a minimum of 100$ to get a decent sunglass.
6. Don't carry more than 2 pairs of shoes.
7.When Collecting the forex, make sure that you get some bills with lower denomination (5 and 10$)
8. Don't apply for SSN Immediately. Apply for SSN after a week or 10 days.
9. Open a bank account as soon as possible.
10. Veekam, Maanam,Soodu, Sornai ellathaium Indiala vachitu vanthuranum..
11.Open a NRE/NRO account before leaving India.
12. Make sure that you file your IT returns for the previous financial year.
13. Get used to toilet papers.
14. 90% of the american food have vitamin G - Grease.. You have to be very careful with your food. You get mostly greasy food. Either you have to work out heavily or make sure that you control the intake of fat.
15. When traveling, try to avoid the rest rooms in plane. Even the best airlines rest room would be dirty.
16. Apply for a state id and driving license
