| USEFUL ITEMS TO TAKE TO OSH, KYRGYZSTAN |
| Flashlight (Torch) - It's good to have a small flashlight (e.g. Maglite) for home and a smaller one to carry with you, as the streets and stairways in Osh are poorly lit and power outages are common (especially late fall and late spring, right before and after the city's heating system is turned on/off and many people use electric heaters). Laptop with Extra Battery - A laptop can be your connection to the internet, your phone via the internet (e.g. Skype), your DVD player, etc. An extra battery comes in handy during longer power outages. You can buy accessories like speakers (US$10) and microphones (US$3) at the bazaar in Osh. (FYI: A popular "tech" store is Aeropag located on Kyrgyzstan Street.) Internet cards (like phone cards) are available for purchase, usually in 5 hour increments from various kiosks and small shops. Also, there are many internet cafes in Osh (about US$0.60/hr.) if you don't have internet access from home. Plug Adaptor(s) with Built in Surge Protector (e.g. Travel Smart) - You may or may not need a converter depending upon which electronics you bring with you. Most laptops, digital cameras, etc. now only require an adaptor for the outlet because the chargers work on both 110 and 220. An adaptor for each item you bring (camera, laptop) is useful. You can buy converters and adaptors if you need them in Bishkek, but they can be difficult to find in Osh. Note: Many of the adaptors don't have surge protectors, which is a nice to have because of the power outages. USB Flash Drive - Most of the computers in internet cafes and offices in Osh have USB ports so a flashcard is usually easier to use than CDs or discs when transferring data. Cookbook - If you plan on cooking while in Osh, it is nice to have a cookbook (e.g. Betty Crocker) with good recipes, substitution suggestions, and conversion tables. Measuring Cups & Spoons - Measuring cups are not available in Osh. Most people use scales to measure food, if necessary. Cold Medicine - Germ theory is not well-known in Kyrgyzstan so germs ted to spread around quickly. It's nice to have medicine from home that you know works well for you and to have it readily available. Actually, it's nice to have a little bit of everything (for headaches, diarrhea, constipation, sinus pressure, fever, gas, heartburn, sore throat, etc.) in case you need it if you have room in your bags. It's especially nice if language is a barrier for you and you want relief without getting another headache while trying to explain what you need. Bug Repellent - Bug Repellent is rare in Osh so it's good to bring some from home, especially if you like to hike or camp. Hand Sanitizer - Nice to have when the water is turned off (also relatively common) and if you go places with outhouses and no indoor plumbing). DVDs - There are a couple of DVD theatres in Osh that have movies in English and a couple of places where yo can buy DVDs in English (US$6/each), but it's nice to have some favorites from home that you can watch whenever you want and to swap with other people. Books - It's nice to have a form of entertainment that doesn't require electricity and it's also something you can swap with other people. Dictionary - If you need a Russian-English dictionary they are available in Osh, but they are more expensive here. (For example, a pocket dictionary costing US$7 at home may cost about US$11 in Osh.) Kyrgyz-English or Uzbek-English dictionaries are nearly impossible to find so I would suggest bringing them from home. (I believe Amazon (USA) carries Krygyz and Uzbek dictionaries.) IPOD/MP3 - It's just easier than carrying around a bunch of CDs. Travel Size Containers - If you plan to travel while you're here, it's good to bring travel size containers for shampoo, etc. If you wear contacts, bring a travel size bottle of contact solution because they don't have them in Osh. Favorite Cosmetics/Toiletries - You can buy things like deodorant, razors, shampoo, lotion, facial wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. in Osh. However, if you are loyal to a particular brand, bring it from home because you probably won't find it here. You can find brands like Gillette (deodorant, razors), Nivea (skin care), Palmolive (soap, body wash), Colgate (toothpaste and brushes), and some others in Osh. The rest are mostly less known Russian or Kazak brands. As for women's cosmetics, the choice here is limited. If you're big into make-up or have a sensitive face, I would suggest bringing it from home. As for feminine hygiene products, tampons are not that common, but pads and pantiliners are available. Once again, if you're comfortable with a certain brand, it might be nice to bring them from home or at least some so you have time to find a local substitute. Prescription Drugs - It's easier to get them at home and to know that you have everything you need even before you get to Osh. Digital Camera - There are 1 or 2 places in Osh that develop pictures from digital cameras, memory cards, or CDs. It's easy to share pictures with people back home and photos make great gifts for locals. |
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