Thank you for making such a big decision ! * You will need a valid passport that wont expire for at least 6 months before the event * Buy Ticket to Cochin international airport to arrive on 05/17/2023 * Apply for e-tourist visa * Take the required vaccinations * Stock up on prescriptions and have the doctors note handy * Pack your tropical wear and swimsuits ! * Get ready for the long plane ride.
The main reason you will need a new passport : * It has already expired * It will expire before you travel * It expires in less than 6 months after the trip * You do not have enough pages on your passport to stamp travels ( look at you, all fancy ! ) You will also not be able to apply for a tourist visa without a valid up-to date passport.
Right now ! A month before the event is the latest time to buy the tickets. If you need assistance with anything please contact Racheal or Zack
Please apply on this website for an E-Visa - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/Registration Please select the 30 day visa option as that should cover the entire visit. For Port of Arrival : If you're directly coming to my state it will be Cochin Airport, if you're going to Delhi then Pick Delhi Airport National ID No: Enter your SSN Passport Place of Issue: Department of State (or what is under authority in you passport) Port of Exit : Cochin Airport There is a section where they ask for a contact in India please enter this information below… Name: Benoy Malakhi Address: 45/2039 Achim Labour Colony Road Address, line 2: Thammanam State: Kerala District: ERNAKULAM Phone : +919400275395 For Payment of the Visa Application - Use Paypal if you have it or SBI e-bank it will route you to a page where you can use you credit/debit card. After getting approved please keep this document printed on you at all times during the travel.
Yes you do ! Just like traveling anywhere else in the world you do need vaccines to keep you safe during travel, the list below is a generic list of vaccines you need to travel to india, your doctor might suggest more but it is not required and its your own preference. * Chickenpox or Shingles (you should be upto date on this already) * TDAP (you should be upto date on this already as it helps with tetanus) * MMR (should have gotten this as a child) * Polio (should have gotten this as a child) * Flu Shot (you will need paper proof of this one) * Covid 19 (you will need up-to to date boosters and paper proof to show immigration) * Yellow Fever (Optional) * Typhoid (Optional) * Cholera (Optional)
Prescriptions need to be packed with the checked bags, and if you have syringes please make sure to let TSA know you have them and keep a diagnosis note handy in your carry on if they need proof. Just in case TSA decides to throw out your medications keep a list of generic names of your medication so that it can be bought again in India.
This is completely your choice, keep in mind unless your visa/master card credit card has 0 transaction fees, you will get charged for using it. We suggest bringing a set amount of cash if you plan to shop and eat out. Please do not bring American express cards to India, most countries in Asia do not take them in their local stores. CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: The possession of satellite phones is prohibited in India; Currency in excess of USD $5,000 must be declared. Please check with the Indian Embassy in Washington if you are planning to carry a large amount of currency into India.
A lot of American travel agents will suggest you buy health insurance while traveling abroad. This is a great idea if you were traveling to Europe but in Asia, healthcare is very cheap and accessible so this is not necessary. Getting plane ticket cancellation insurance is completely your choice.
Toilet Paper! Even though the hotel you will be staying at has toilet paper, it might be preferable to bring your own. * Tropical Attire is suggested as summers in India is very similar to Florida or Arizona weather. * Sunscreen and bug spray For Men * Shorts and slip-on shoes are great for this weather, we would also suggest bringing walking around shoes but also bringing formal shoes as well. *swimwear For Women * Shorts and skirts that are upper thigh length are not preferable and can be seen as inappropriate wear. * Avoid micro crop tops as well * Swimwear ! If you plan to shop we would suggest not over packing so that you can bring everything you buy back home !
* Dressing modestly is not only of cultural importance but it will be easier to fit in with the rest of us. * We eat with our hands as a lot of our breads are easy to consume that way, please feel free to ask waiters for cutlery if you are uncomfortable doing that, no pressure! * Only drink bottled water or boiling hot water. We would suggest carrying bottled water with you at all times. * People are going to stare no matter what you do to try fit in, its inevitable but they are always looking in wonder because its new for them ! Kerala is an extremely welcoming state to tourists and we love hosting them. * If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, please don't hesitate to tell us. We want everyone to feel safe and have a great time !
This is a Jewish Indian wedding and since a lot of our cultural activities such as Mehndi and Haldi are associated with Hinduism we will not be having that as a part of our wedding. Some of the key differences between a Hindu and Jewish wedding is that Jewish weddings are much shorter, we wear white, there is also a rabbi who officiates the ceremony,and the groom will be breaking glass. If there is more you would like to know please contact the bride and groom, we will be happy to provide more details. We are aware this is not what a stereotypical Indian wedding looks like but its also not a stereotypical situation, the bride comes from one of the few Jewish Indian family left in India and this is one of the first Jewish matrimonial ceremonies to ever happen in Kerala.