Rural stay (with toddler) near Coimbatore this summer - thoughts or advice?

machadinha

? You never cease to amaze me Ed. Here's me thinking I'm spouting the same obvious (not-so) old fart's nonsense once again. And don't think I was very careful out there.

Oh well. Glad if it's of any help.

(ps Ed it's the third time I say this: You can do a web search for the village name. I don't think it's completely off the planet no.)

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

JillC

Thanks for all the responses and information, and sorry for not checking back in any sooner. I think the notification e-mails must have been going to my junk mail, I'll have to fix that.

I originally pictured the toilet as an out-house type hole, which is why I thought it would be okay to dump the biodegradables down it. I just found out from the facilitator of our group (who has been to this village and stayed with this host family before) that it is more of a primitive sewer system, so we won't be sticking anything down there that's not supposed to go down there. We did try potty training, but she just didn't catch on. I think she's too young, and she'd probably regress after we flip her world upside down, anyway.

We were planning on rehydration salts and Pedialyte, but thanks for the reminders. We're leaving just a few days after finals, and I'm so worried I'm going to forget something important. We were planning to buy some pricier cotton sleeping mats in Coimbatore. 200 rupees (about $5.50, right?) sounds a lot better to me than a $75 camping mat we'd have to lug around during our traveling. We'll just leave them at the house for the next group of students.

We won't be buying the mosquito nets, there are more than enough available that have been left by groups before. Thanks for the brand name on the mosquito repellent, though.

I left a message with an infectious disease specialist at our local children's hospital, and hope to learn everything I can from her. I'll let you know what she says about vaccinations and anti-malarials and everything.

We were planning to buy plenty of clothes once we get to Chennai and Coimbatore, so we're okay there. Do you think we need shoes (instead of Chacos) if we aren't going to be bushwacking, just staying in the village and walking along roads?

That's all I can really think of right now. Thanks for the other posts, Hans - They're actually what brought me to this site through my search.

Thanks again!

federica

I've seen it in villages in Tamil Nadu, that small kids were just left without pants. When they were around 2 years old, they were wearing longer tops but still no pants. Like this they learn very easily to use a pot, without pressure. As soon as they are old enough, they feel uncomfortable when getting wet...and the wish not to have this feeling will come from themself... something they don't learn with diapers, as they absorb everything. But you will see how things workout there and how she reacts to the conditions.

Coimbatore is a place where you can buy almost everything you'll need, so don't worry!

I don't think so. I never liked normal shoes there... but my trekking sandals with a thicker soles were great.

4gotoIndia

Hi Jill,
I'll be really interested to hear you get on. We're also going to Tamil Nadu (not rural, though) in a few months - with a 5yo and a (will be) 18 month - for a year.
We were also told she (the little one) can't have typhoid, but should get it as soon as she hits 2.
Re the anti-malarials - we're probably going to take Paludrine and Choloroquine (possible only in certain seasons). I grew up on it (literally - took it pretty much from birth ... for over 10 yrs ... actually on and off for closer to 25) and it has done me no harm. We'll be hunting down Nutella to encourage it to go down. (I've been assured I will be able to find Nutella!)

Re rabies - we were advised that as long as we weren't more than 24 hours away from decent medical care then it is no longer advised to get the jabs before.

Re the diapers - were you planning on taking washables? Or bio-degradable disposables?

Other things I'm going to take for them (that I gather you can't get easily) are UV swim suits (to wear even if not in a pool), and crocs for their feet.

Do keep us posted re how you get on!
best,
4gotoindia