Kristen's Email Info

I just wanted to add kristen's email to help those in the future times who did not get the email -- and so I don't have to write things twice = )

Hey Everyone going to India,
Our group is finishing our 3 weeks which were amazing. We thought you all should know some little things to make your trip smoother. (Areas that we had problems and learned from them to help you all hopefully.)

1. Book a hostal or hotel in Delhi or Chennai before you arrive on the plane (if you are staying the night there before heading to Vellore) with airport pick up confirmed via email.

2. Arrange with Anbu (Shirley David's secretary) before for van or taxi pick up from the airport in Chennai to Vellore (3 people per taxi).

3. Make sure you have 4 "passport" photos of yourself before you go. (you will need these on your first day).
4. Do not travel at night (it is not safe esp due to the driving). Also, it is not safe for girls to be out after dark (even in a group is really not advised).

5. Set a meeting point for you group in the Chennai airport ahead of time.
6. On Sun. check in at the Big Bungalow if you are staying on campus.
On Monday morning go to the Principal's office first with your photos, passport ect. (This is on the college campus not at the hospital).

Then in the afternoon you can go to the hospital (via autorickshaw or the #2 bus) to meet with Shirley David or Anbu and to pay $100 usd to be officially enrolled (KEEP THIS RECEIPT! and give it back to the Principal on campus)

7. We recommend staying on Campus...it is much safer, quiet, and you'll sleep better because your away from the traffic. Also, the water is safe on campus you have some nice trails, you can order food from the hotels, there is a campus store, a phone near by, a computer room,laudry at the Big Bungalow...etc.

8. The places to stay on campus with a/c are International Hostal, Johnson house (a nice common area with a t.v, frig, ect., and Big bungalow annex. (Do not stay at the New Housing Complex!!)

9. Make sure you email Anbu ahead of time to reserve your room! They fill up fast due to the large number of students.
10. If your picky about food you might want to bring power bars with you. I personally really liked everything and it is fun to experiment.

11. Girls- You might just want to pack very light and buy clothes that are appropriate here. I brought what I thought was appropriate and it was not nearly as comfy or approp. so I ended up buying swari's and pants to go underneath.

(It is inappropriate to show your ankles or shoulders or wear tight shirts)
(You can do this Mon. afternoon...take a auto rickashaw to the CMC hospital and the street perpendicular to the front is Ghandi street which has good places to buy cheap clothes. (varies b/t 100-200 Rs which is about $2-5).

Pack 2 weeks worth of underwear just in case.
12. Mammallapurum is a nice weekend retreat. We stayed at Sea Breeze (make a reservation in advance). We rented a van for the weekend and Anbu can set that up too.

13. Get the address of the hotel or on campus of where your staying before you leave and keep it handy (if they loose your luggage they will need the address to send it to you!)

14. Exchange some rupees before you leave so that you won't have to worry about it when you get to India.
15. Vellore- other sites: the fort, the temple, the Golden Temple
16. There is a super market close by but I can't remember the name..just ask some of the INtnl students and they'll know the name.

17. Must do rotations: CHAD (the village rounds with the Dr. one day and nurses the next) and the Leprosy hospital for a day (You have to catch a bus next to the CHina town restaurant (good food) which is to the left of the front of the Hospital at 7am (to Karigiri aka Elephant Hill =))

18. Other good places to eat hotels Surabi & Darling(which you can order at the Canteen on campus at the day before at 6pm)

I did not bring my laptop b/c I would be worrying about it. There are plenty of internet cafes (if you sign up for skype at a internet place you can make calls for cheap but not all of them have this available). It was only 200 RS total for the month to use the internet on campus.

Also, girls should not travel alone at all. Don't arrive after dark (6pm) and always travel in a group. Please make arrangements to be picked up before hand from the airports, train stations, etc. especially in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra!

Ok. I think that's all. The communication here can be confusing so be patient. Hope you enjoy a different culture as much as we did!

If you have any other questions you can email me but I'll be traveling this week.
Smiles,
Kristen Sorensen