Packing List

PACKING LIST

I suggest a larger suitcase than you really need (or two small ones) in case you want to bring extra stuff home!  when road-trip traveling you will need a smaller bag (so we all can fit!). Things to consider bringing...

ON THE AIRPLANE

• Reading material
• Tablet (and charger)
• Travel pillow
• Sweater/jacket
• Eye cover
• Ear plugs
• Advil/Ibuprofen
• Water Bottle (empty until past security)
• Valid Passport
• Indian Visa - Link for applying to eVisa

IN INDIA

SMALL HAND BAG things to consider carrying with you

• Toilet paper or wipes (rarely in the bathrooms!)
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• Imodium/pain killer
• Does your passport fit in this bag?!
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera/phone
• Mosquito repellant

CLOTHING *Temp will be most likely be low 80s during the days in Coimbatore.  Locals generally dress conservatively

• Sweater/light jacket for evenings
• Lightweight long pants/capris/knee-or-longer skirts will be most comfy (jeans ok).  LONG shorts ok (except long pants only for going into temples).  I brought regular short running shorts and went in the early mornings and it was fine.
• T-shirts are fine; avoid tank tops
• 1-2 pair CLOSED comfy shoes (for walking uneven/dirty streets - the locals wear open shoes, but I don’t recommend this.  Two pair just in case; or risk it and maybe buy shoes there - easy to do and cheap).  FYI, everyone will be barefoot at the wedding ceremony.  Wear anything to the reception; the car will drop you so you don’t need to walk much.
• Flip flops.  I used them in the house bathroom; the showers are european style (the whole bathroom floor gets wet)
• Underwear, Bras, Socks (men: if you want to wear dhoti to the wedding, bring white (or at least light) colored undies).  Regular bras are generally ok for saree tops.
• PJs
• Ladies: something dressy to wear for the wedding in case you end up not wanting to wear a saree. Wear whatever you want; don’t worry about being super conservative; I would avoid high heels.  Indian women will wear one outfit for the wedding and another to the reception; you can do whatever you want!
• Men: long pants (khaki pants are fine!) in case you end up not wanting to wear a dhoti. dress shirt (short sleeves will be more comfy! Any color is ok; white is traditional) . I recommend a belt (fabric belt may be easier) to wear with the dhoti :)

TOILETRIES -The normal stuff plus the following!  You can also buy these things there easily if you forget

• Travel bath towel & washcloth
• Shower shoes - especially if you travel, it’s a good idea to have flip flops you can wear if needed.

OTHER

• Always have cash on you.  Many places do not accept cards and, even if they do, they frequently have problems with the card readers.
• Credit Cards - Call your Credit Card to check for any international usage fee (this is usually about 3%) and to place a travel notice so the care doesn’t get shut off
• Credit cards with 0% international use are available
• VIsa/Master cards are more widely accepted. Discover Card (0% fee) is accepted but lesser than Visa/Mastercard.
• Chargers for electronics (phone, tablet, computer, camera)
• Power adaptor
• Food. You can find pasta, fruits and veggies, milk, some cereal (especially oatmeal or granola) in India easily and cheaply at a grocery store, but if you’re worried about food, consider bringing other non-perishables with you; particularly baby/kid foods if you are bringing a kiddo.  It will be difficult to avoid spicy foods, so consider being prepared to cook at home if your stomach starts to bother you.  It is more likely due to the spice (and liquidy) foods rather than the water (don’t drink the tap water; don’t brush your teeth with tap water).

Lodging in Coimbatore

Here is some guidance on lodging options in Coimbatore.

Coimbatore is not a big city in terms of size, distance.

Hotels

Taj Vivanta - Great Central location

Residency Towers - Good location, maybe slightly more expensive

Aloft Coimbatore - OK location (close to airport)

Airbnb - this could be another option to look for housing

The map below shows where hotels are, the location of the temple (wedding location), reception hall, Prabha's house etc...

There have been service (short-term) apartments already rented for the group traveling from the US (Australia) for Jan 2-6 (and two people have booked for the Taj for Jan 2&3).  Any questions about when/what to book, feel free to ask us!  We'd love to help. 

Bathroom Duties

Regardless of what you call it....the John, the Pot, the Commode, the Throne, etc...you're going to need to use it.

Most, if not all, of the time you'll have access to a "normal" Western toilet.   But you'll notice some differences in public restrooms.

1. No Toilet Paper - carry some in your purse or day pack.
2. No Soap (often) - carry some alcohol cleanser in your purse or day pack.
3. No Towel - carry a small washcloth or handkerchief
4. No Sink (sometimes) - but there will be a water faucet in the toilet stall (the Indian version of toilet paper).  You can rinse your hands there (and your nether regions if you so desire).  Every restaurant will have hand washing stations, however.

*Might as well toss some Imodium in your purse, too, in case Indian Spices and lots of vegetarian water-based foods get you going more than you'd like*

There will usually be the option of a Western or an Eastern toilet stall.  If you get an Eastern one, don't panic (and don't fall in! just kidding - that would be really hard to do).  If you feel nervous, remember that Easterners using a Western toilet feel the same way, as evident by this picture we took while in Japan last month:

It's normal to have a fear of the unknown, but if you've ever been camping, you already know how to squat and pee.  Have you heard of the squatty potty?  Apparently it's healthier to squat anyway ("it makes going #2...#1).

Now, what you've all been waiting for, the obligatory HOW TO USE AN EASTERN LATRINE VIDEO.  He keeps switching between English and Tamil, so don't be alarmed if you don't catch everything he says.