Conservative dress is imperative. Although many tourists are often seen briefly dressed it is tolerated but not considered polite in larger towns. In the village setting it isn’t appropriate.
MALES: Most men dress casually but modestly. Long shorts are fine and “T” shirts are generally accepted. Shoes can also be casual such as open sandals, however closed shoes must be worn at the work site. Men should not walk or trek bare-chested. Shorts are acceptable but it's recommended to wear long pants. When attending church or more formal occasions, a long sleeve shirt and long pants (not jeans) are expected. Ties are not generally worn.
FEMALES: . Short skirts and shorts are not acceptable. Females need to wear non-figure hugging blouses, and long pants or long skirts that cover the ankles, because exposure of a woman's legs can draw unnecessary attention and are inappropriate. One option females may want to try, if they have time to shop, is the traditional ‘kurta’ – a long dress/shirt over pants with scarf - which can be bought in Nepal and provides comfort and modesty.
You will need mostly work clothes. The only activity that you may want to “dress” for is the farewell dinner. Lightweight clothes are worn in Kathmandu, with a coat for evenings (45-65). It will be about the same in the hill region where we will be working. During our R&R we will be at a little higher elevation therefore possibly requiring more layers. We anticipate sunshine and clear weather. Maybe fog in the morning that may feel cool.
HOW MUCH CAN I TAKE?
Let’s start with that question because the rest of this will make a lot more sense, such as when we’re suggesting “wear your heaviest shoes on the airplane”. The domestic airline from Kathmandu to Bahdrapur will be the limiting factor. You can check in 20kgs (44#) and your carry-on can weight 5kgs (11#). They don’t weigh YOU, however….thus the reason to wear your heavy clothes/boots! One thing to remember is that you will be returning to KTM before we go on R&R. Therefore, if you have clothing that you intend to use ONLY during R&R, you could leave it behind with the national office in KTM.
You may have a higher weight allowance on your flights to/from the US, but do keep in mind the weight restriction for what you are going to take to the local affiliate (check your airline for specifics on weight as well as number of bags allowed).
Depending on your weight allowances once you leave KTM, you may still pack the souvenirs that you purchased. If you think you might do that, consider bringing a simple roll-up type duffle with you in your luggage to use as your second piece going home. Or buy an inexpensive extra duffle in KTM.
WHAT KIND OF LUGGAGE SHOULD I USE?
In general, when traveling internationally, we find that soft-sided luggage works best on public transport and vans. Soft luggage crams more easily in to trucks and buses, as well as smaller overhead compartments on airplanes. Soft luggage/duffels can still have wheels. Check out your Salvation Army or Goodwill for used luggage if you don’t want to buy something new just for this trip. Also, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s) and other sports/outdoor stores have heavy-duty cloth duffels for under $25.
HOW SAFE WILL MY LUGGAGE BE?
Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage with locks, keeping in mind TSA (Transportation Security Administration) restrictions concerning personal locks. Whether you use TSA approved locks or not is up to you. Avoid placing electronics, jewelry, cameras or other valuables in checked luggage.
KEEP IN MIND TO:
KEEP IT APPROPRIATE! Please re-read the introduction. We are told to dress “conservatively”.
KEEP FLEXIBLE! Plan for all kinds of weather, and all of it in one day! Wear layers, knowing you will be taking them on and off throughout the day and evening.
KEEP SAFE! Wear what is necessary to protect yourself from the sun: hat, bandana, etc. and use sunscreen.
KEEP IT MINIMAL! To keep within your weight allowance, consider bringing only 2-3 changes of work clothes for the whole time you are in the village. Laundry will be available at our accommodations for a reasonable fee. Don’t count on laundry opportunities while you are traveling or during “R&R” - wash out at night, or bring enough to change - or just don’t change!
SPECIFIC ITEMS FOR THE WORKSITE:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes are OK)
- Shorts, pants as described above
- Blouses, shirts as described above
- Work gloves
- Hat or bandanna - sunburn is a reality and a danger. Some people prefer a broad-rimmed hat, such as a straw hat, to protect the neck.
- Water bottle
- Day pack/small bag - It will be very helpful if you have a small, simple day pack or bag to put your valuables - camera, documents, etc. - when you are at the worksite and while on R&R. We cannot guarantee security for these items if they are left in the accommodations. You may want to wear a passport carrier around your waist or neck for documents, cash, etc, but put them in a zip-lock bag to keep them from soaking up your sweat at the worksite!
OTHER CLOTHING YOU WILL NEED when not at the worksite:
OTHER ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:
- Flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor
- Passport with Nepal visa
- Spending money - for whatever you need for traveling. It is suggested to have at least $100 cash while in Nepal for souvenirs, gifts, etc. You can change US dollars to Nepal rupees after you leave the airport, close to the hotel.
- Insect repellent - DEET level of 30 or higher is suggested
- Sunscreen or lotion
- More patience
- TP Kit (zip-lock bag with hand sanitizer & toilet paper for a couple of trips to the latrine)
- 1-2 rolls of TP of your own - to refill your TP kit
- Toiletries
- Alarm clock
- Throw in an extra dose of “sense of humor”
- Lightweight, small towel (something that dries overnight) - travel/outdoor stores have them, or use a small, thin worn-out one from home
- An extra dose of “flexibility”
- Extra zip-lock bags - to put your own personal trash in to carry out
- Laundry bag (mesh, or old pillowcase) - please put your name on the outside of the bag/pillowcase
- More and more patience
- Prescription medications, contact lens supplies (could be very dusty) and any other personal needs, including feminine hygiene supplies
- Flashlight, extra batteries
- LED headlamp - These lamps come on a strap for around your head, or there is the kind that snaps onto the bill of a baseball cap
- Waterless antibacterial wash when water is not available (towlettes not recommended because of disposal problem)
- Personal first aid supplies for cuts, blisters, diarrhea, constipation ( we will also have a Team First Aid kit, but it helps for you to have your own available in your pocket at the worksite)
Electrical adapters and converters, depending on what you are bringing (see note at bottom for more info) - What the heck - a little more won’t hurt - add even more flexibility, patience, sense of humor
- Snack foods - This is something you don’t need to pack ahead of time, but may want to consider buying in Kathmandu to take to Ilam. it may happen that you don’t care for all the local foods, and find yourself hungry. There may or may not be the opportunity to buy anything once we’re in the village. It wouldn’t be acceptable to bring your own food to a meal prepared by our hosts, but you could have something back at your own room. Keep in mind potential bugs. Bring some extra zip-lock bags to store the food you purchase, and take care of any trash/packaging by packing it back out with you.
Tools you could bring if you can: (keep in mind weight and that they have to be in checked baggage). It is not required that you bring tools. However, it is appreciated if you do. It is also greatly appreciated if you choose to leave the tools behind at the village. But you can bring along your own to take back with you as well. Do not bring tools that require electricity! The following are what is needed:
- Hacksaws, with extra blades
- Mason’s hammers
- Metric tape measures
- Levels - 2 foot levels can fit in luggage easily
OPTIONAL (consider value, weight, and security):
- Binoculars
- Back support - the work is all manual
- Extra prescription glasses
- Laplap (sarong, lavalava) to wear to the shower
- Poncho or lightweight rain jacket
- Journal, paper, pencil or pen
- Book
- Bible/meditation material
- Games, cards to use at night with just team members (some may not be appropriate to be used with community members)
Games to play with children - frisbees, jump ropes, finger puppets (do not give these to children directly - even simple gifts are not allowed. The kids can use them with you, but they must give them back when you are done playing with the kids each time. Then we will give them to the school to use for all the children when we leave) - Laundry powder- in case you want to wash something out at night on your own - but we suggest just using your shampoo or other multi-purpose soap
- A few photos of family and home to share with team and host (remember, pictures of who we are, not what we have - like boats, houses, cars, etc)
- Camera, batteries, extra memory
- Sunglasses
- Pocketknife
- Small musical instrument - recorder, harmonica
- Ear plugs
NOT ALLOWED
- Illegal drugs
- Firearms, firecrackers
- Bad sense of humor
- Inflexibility
- Short tempers
TIPS AND HINTS ON HOW TO PACK IT:
- Read again the info at the top as to the kind of luggage to use.
- Your carry-on should have a little of everything, to get you through several days of waiting for your luggage to catch up with you. You wouldn’t be the first team member that this has happened to.
- For those of you having a tough time with the baggage limit, remember that they don’t weigh YOU! Wear as much weight as you can on the airplane to keep your bags lighter - wear your heaviest shoes, and possibly several layers of clothes. You can take some of those layers off and cram them in your carry-on after you go through the inspection of your carry-on.
- Make sure you can padlock your bag to help insure against theft enroute. Do not put items in unlocked outside pockets. (a simple duffle, with no outside pockets works best). Use a combination padlock instead of a key. Leave the expensive stuff you don’t need (like jewelry) at home - there will be little to no opportunity to wear it anyway. Other valuables (cameras, binocs, etc) should be in your hand-carry.
- Pack leaky items (shampoo, lotions) in zip lock bags - and tighten the cap right before you put them in. Pack most of that in your checked baggage. Read up on the current allowances for liquids in your carry-on. Right now it’s 3oz bottles that will all fit into one quart-size zip-lock bag.
- Be sure your bag(s) are well labeled with your name and contact info (maybe a friend or family) - it doesn’t do any good for them to try and contact you at home about a found bag since you won’t be at home!
- If you need a pillow to sleep, consider just putting your clean clothing in a pillow case or clean t-shirt and using that.
- Simplify your toiletries - if shampoo will work as your body soap, and even laundering your clothes, that will cut down on number of bottles.
- Dr Bonner’s soap - you can wash EVERYTHING, including your teeth, body, hair, laundry, dishes, your roommate …whatever! It’s biodegradable, “green”, plus the bottle is fun to read! Get it in “trial size” and there will be enough for you and a friend. One team member recommends “mint” as it leaves behind a nice tingle, and is the best flavor for tooth-brushing. I think it tastes pretty bad no matter what, so I go for “lavender”. REI (outdoor equipment store) and natural food stores carry it.
- A former team member recommended adding some mouth wash (she likes mint for this too) to a spray bottle of water, and using that to “spritz yourself” - it feels tingly, makes you smell better, doesn’t attract mosquitoes like perfumed sprays do, and actually kills some germs!
- Roll-up style space bags are great for compacting clothing items….no vacuum necessary!
- Hair dryers can be cumbersome. If you can share with others, that will help cut down on your weight and space. (us girls can chat about that on our own).
NOTE: Electrical adapters and converters
Adapters: Nepal uses both C & D adapters. Go to:
Converters: A converter is not the same thing as an adapter. The adapter just makes it so that your plug can fit into their socket. Your appliance, such as a hair dryer, must also be able to change voltage from 120 to 240. If your appliance doesn’t have that kind of switch right on it, then you need a converter as well to accommodate the wattage of your appliance. They come in different capacities (wattage). A hair dryer usually takes a pretty big converter so check that out. Converters and adapters can be purchased at a travel store or online (Amazon.com). Target, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s) and REI carry them I have been told that Lowe’s does as well. Check department stores that carry luggage.
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