Critical Info - MUST READ
General FAQs below this section
The people of India are very friendly, but due to the poor economic conditions, that means generally, everyone is out to make money. Westerners are easy targets so don't be surprised when everyone tries over charging you for everything. I'm not talking about being scammed (video), but just be street smart, count your change, and learn to say no. Most importantly, have fun!
- Before you go, download on your phone:
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WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, Google Translate, Venmo, & Splitwise
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Pictures of itinerary, passport, visa, and airline details (keep in email too)
- Luggage - ONLY BRING a backpack and/or what you can carry up 1 flight of stairs by yourself! Elevators are not guaranteed. Main luggage should be LESS THAN 15kg (30lbs) because of domestic flights. Leave space for souvenirs - you'll be carrying it the whole trip (women: Indian dresses are heavy (~2lbs each)).
- Print out all airline details, cops WILL check before you enter airports
- India is 90% cash economy, make sure to bring a bank card for ATM
- Lastly, PACK LIGHT. I can't stress enough. Weather will be warm, you won't wear half the stuff. Minimize electronics and shoes.
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FAQs
If your question isn't here, then it isn't frequently asked. Please let us know if you have more questions, we'll add it here.
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Q: What is this monastery all about?
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Q: Which airport to fly in to?
A: If you're flying into Madrid, follow this link. Transit time is ~5.5 hours.
If you're flying into Seville, follow this link. Transit time is 1.53.5 hours.
Q: How to get there and around?
A: Fastest and direct
From Seville directly to the venue at La Cartuja de Cazalla:
- Taxi - 120€-150€ each way. Fastest option
- Private driver to/from Seville center (60€) or airport (50€) each way
- Rent a car in Seville - ~60€ for 3 days. Drive is ~1hr 20min. Most convenient option.
Cheapest
Public transport from Seville to Cazalla de la Sierra (town 10 min from the venue), there are a few options:
- Bus - 4 times per day - 11:30am, 2pm, 5:00pm, 8:30pm, and it takes 1hr 40min. Cost is 7-17€ euros. Bus leaves from Plaza de Armas in Seville near the river Guadalquivir. Cheapest option.
- Train - 3 times per day - 5:45am (9:02am on weekends), 3:25pm, 5:12pm, and it takes ~1hr 30min. Departure station: Sevilla-Santa Justa. Destination station: Cazalla-Constantina. Take train R-18779 from Seville-Santa Justa to Cacares.
- After getting to Cazalla de la Sierra, the Monastery (La Cartuja de Cazalla) is a 10-min taxi ride north. (~6-8€)
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Q: Where can I stay?
A: The town name is Cazalla de la Sierra and the Monastery where we're getting married is La Cartuja de Cazalla (10 min away). Here's a link to AirBnB. Otherwise, you can look at traditional hotel websites.
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: Please check here to see if you need a visa to attend our wedding.
Q: What do I wear?
A: During the wedding: formal attire - it's a wedding, dress to impress!
Before/After the wedding: Comfortable, but get ready to dance!
Q: Do we have a registry?
A: No gifts. Joining us on our special day is gift enough.
Q: What is the Currency Exchange?
A: For the best exchange rates, we recommend getting Euros from an ATM once you arrive. Current rates can be found here.
Q: What's the weather like?
A: Early September weather: 60-90 degrees F (20-30 degrees C). Links below:
Q: Power
A: Spain's electrical outlets call for 220v/50Hz and Type F prongs (with the rounded tip). Most laptops, phones & cameras are accustomed to 110-220v (international voltage), but please check your adapter before traveling, else carry a voltage converter as well (for hair electronics, etc).
Q: Will I be able to Snapchat (Wi-Fi)?
A: Wi-Fi will be accessible in/near the monastery. You won't be able to stream your daily soap operas, but you'll be able to #abcforever18 our wedding :)
Pack This, Pack That
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Passport - If you wanna come to the wedding
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Camera - take pictures, a LOT of pictures
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Power adapter - plug converter and/or voltage converter based on your device
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Swimsuit - there's a fresh-spring pool & waterfall
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Quick Dry Towel - if you want to jump in the waterfall
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Gorgeous outfit - if you wanna dress to impress at the wedding/reception
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Portable charger - during long drives if you wanna be on the phone
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Sunscreen/hat/sunglasses - it's still summer time so be safe!
Dos
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Tipping in restaurants is not customary in Spain. If you are satisfied with the food and service, make sure to leave some tips.
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Do rest your wrists at the edge of the table when eating.
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Do put your knife and fork on your plate parallel with the handles facing to the right to show that you have finished eating.
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Also, siesta (afternoon sleep) is something extremely popular in Spain & people prefer to take a short break of 2 hours post-lunch, in order to get some sleep! Most of the shops remain closed during late afternoons & trust me, you’ll absolutely enjoy the siesta.
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Although people are not conservative, it’s better to dress modestly. People in Spain are very particular about style & accessories.
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Shake hands whenever you meet someone. At gatherings try to greet elders first and then the younger ones. Expect a hug and kiss on your cheeks from the ones you know/ have met before – that’s a Spanish way of showing affection!
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Leave all your important things at the hotel. Spain is a safe country, but if you lose anything, then it’s entirely your responsibility.
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Take the local transport & interact with the locals as much as you can cuz they can tell you the best things & places to explore.
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Explore the countrysides and the offbeat towns
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If you receive a gift, open it in front of the giver as he/she will expect to see your reaction. Return gift is kind of mandatory.
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Keep changes handy – you never know when you’ll need it!
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Do carry small changes for using the public toilets. They are well organized.
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Enjoy your hot chocolate. Spanish hot chocolate is usually very thick and creamy, more like a pudding than a proper drink. Do as locals do and serve it with delicious crispy churros.
Don'ts
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Expect to eat early - Spain does everything late, and eating is no exception.
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Lunchtime is usually between 13:00 – 15:30 and dinner is rarely served before 21:00.
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Expect to get many options for vegetarians in Spain. Spaniards love their share of pork & seafood. Veggies are just used as a side dish or to add to the meaty preparations.
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Underestimate tapas, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. They aren't just an excellent way to immerse yourself in the culture & sample the local cuisine, but also a great way to cut down on travel costs. They cost a small price or free when ordering a drink.
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Pass the salt shaker from hand to hand. According to Spanish tradition, it brings bad luck.
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Don’t expect everyone to speak English – in fact, it’ll be good if you learn to speak a few Spanish words.
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Rush or take punctuality too seriously. Spaniards tend to have a very relaxed sense of time, so be patient & enjoy being in Spain!
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While the nightlife is quite happening in Spain, do not go out alone at night. If you are heading out, make sure to go in a group and inform your country coordinator about where you want to go.
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Do not be tempted to walk home if you are out after the Metro and the buses are shut down.
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Do not carry your wallet in back jeans pocket, or the ladies sling your bags over the backs of chairs.
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Don’t get into discussions about regionalism. Spaniards are extremely sensitive about this topic & they’ve got a very strong sense of regional pride – especially in Catalonia, the Basque Country, & Galicia, where locals have their own language & cultural identity.
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Call a Catalan Spanish. You certainly don’t want to piss off more than 7 million people who are so proud of their language, culture, and history, and who currently struggle for their independence.
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Expect to see Flamenco everywhere. Of course, this is a genuine Spanish form of art and one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Spain. You won’t go wrong with Andalusia, though. This is arguably the birthplace of flamenco, or at least its spiritual home, so wonderful shows are held almost daily in venues across Seville, Granada, Cadiz, or Jerez de la Frontera.
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Expect to see a bullfight in Barcelona Catalonia was the second Spanish region to ban this blood sport after the Canary Islands.
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Head for a table every time you enter a locale. Sitting at the bar is always a good idea in Spain, as this is by far the liveliest spot in the room. Also, this will offer you the opportunity to socialize with the staff and the other clients, make friends, and learn things that you don’t usually find in tourist guides.
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Wander the city streets wearing only swimsuit. It’s tasteless, inappropriate, and even illegal in seaside cities like Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca, where you can be punished with a €100 – €200 fine. In addition to that there are still several fashion rules that travelers to Spain must adhere to in order to avoid trouble. Some of the most important are to always wear the right shoes (comfortable for the day, elegant for the night), never forget to dress accordingly when visiting a monastery, church, or sacred place, and by no means wear the wrong football shirt in the wrong city.
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Ignore local markets. They not only offer fresh fruits and vegetables, but also some of the most exquisite seafood, hams, and traditional specialties, as well as a chance to soak up the local atmosphere. Furthermore, some of them have been transformed into genuine culinary temples, impressing visitors with their eye-catching architecture and tremendous dining opportunities.
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Stay in a tourist resort. Spain’s major coasts are packed with all kinds of tourist hotels and all-inclusive resorts, and most of them do offer all the comforts and amenities one would need for a pleasant holiday, but they’re also pretty expensive, dull, and unfriendly. So instead of spending all day by the pool with a bunch of tourists, why not trying to experience something new? Go out there, explore Spain on your own, connect with locals and their culture, try new foods, and be adventurous!
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Plan anything important on Tuesday 13, or Tuesday in general. They even have a saying for it: En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes – "On Tuesday, don’t get married, don’t board (on a ship or plane), and don’t leave the house".
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Don’t carry too many clothes – because Spain is a shopper’s paradise! With options for any budget & style out there, you’ll surely end up buying a lot of clothes.
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Don’t complain about smoking – the Spaniards love to smoke!
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Do not get involved with any drugs. The penalties for the possession of any kind of drugs are severe.
FAQs
If your question isn't here, then it isn't frequently asked. Please let us know if you have more questions, we'll add it here.
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Q: Aren’t you guys already married?
A: Legally, yes. In the eyes of 33 million Hindu gods, no.
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​Q: Which airport to fly in to?
A: Jaipur, via New Delhi. Jaipur is where everything is, but the only flights there are flying through New Delhi. If you fly to New Delhi as your end destination, you will have to travel 5 hours in a car to reach Jaipur.
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Q: How to get there and around?
A: Once in Jaipur, you can take an Uber or taxi to the venue. Uber is easier, cheaper, and more regulated. Taxi will require negotiating and you’ll probably overpay.
Q: Where can I stay?
A: International guests, please reach out to us for November 16, 17, & 18th. All other days we can give you suggestions, but you can book your own. We recommend booking only hotels with 3+ star rating, unless you’re the daring type.
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: If you have to ask, then yes you definitely need a visa. You have 2 options – a 1 time visa called an “E-Visa”, or a regular 10-year visa. The E-Visa is quicker to get and a little cheaper, but it’s only good for one trip. The regular visa requires sending your passport in, takes a little longer, and is a little more expensive, but if you plan on returning at all in 10 years, definitely, definitely get this. Both visas will get you in the country and work for our wedding.
Q: Do I need shots/vaccinations?
A: Yes. Below are some of the main shots to get, but check the CDC for more info.
- Adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Oral polio vaccine (OPV)
- Typhoid vaccine
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Q: What do I wear?
A: This is a traditional Indian wedding, so feel free to dress like an Indian! This typically means a Lehenga or Saree for women and Kurtas or Sherwani for men. Jaipur is a great city to buy Indian clothes, so come a day early if you can and pick something up. If you are staying after and traveling around India, be sure to bring something warm because the nights will get cool. Avoid bringing expensive jewelry - travel smart!
Q: Do we have a registry?
A: No gifts. Joining us on our special day is gift enough.
Q: What is the Currency Exchange?
A: India is a 90% cash only country! Big hotels and restaurants take cards, but everywhere else is cash. For the best exchange rates, we recommend getting Rupees from an ATM once you arrive. Current rates can be found here.
Q: What's the weather like?
A: Mid-November is some of the coolest weather of the year in India: 65-90 degrees F (20-30 degrees C). Links below:
Q: Power
A: India’s electrical outlets call for 230v/50Hz and Type C, D, or M prongs. Most laptops, phones & cameras are accustomed to 110-220v (international voltage), but please check your adapter before traveling, else carry a voltage converter as well (for hair electronics, etc).
Q: Will I be able to Snapchat (Wi-Fi)?
A: Wi-Fi will be accessible in the hotel, though do not expect high speed access. You won't be able to stream your daily soap operas, but you'll be able to #abcforever18 our wedding :)
Q: Is what they say about the water true?
A: Yes. 100%. You will get sick if you drink tap water. The good news is that there is plenty of bottled water around and it is cheap. Rule of thumb – stay away from tap water, ice, and anything washed in that water (lettuce, onions, etc). Avoid that and you’ll do great!
Pack This, Pack That
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Passport - If you wanna come to the wedding
-
Camera - take pictures, a LOT of pictures
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Power adapter - plug converter and/or voltage converter based on your device
-
Swimsuit - you never know when you can use one
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Quick Dry Towel - you never know when you'll need one!
-
Gorgeous outfit - if you wanna dress to impress at the wedding/reception
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Portable charger - during long drives if you wanna be on the phone
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Sunscreen/hat/sunglasses - it's not summer but India is always hot so be safe!
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Antibiotics - just in case (we haven't needed them yet but knock on wood)
Dos
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Go to the Taj Mahal. Yes, it’s worth it. It may be one of the few times in your life when all the hype and hyperbole actually fails to capture the spectacular beauty of the real thing.
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Take the train. Traveling by train in India is an adventure. Indian Railway is the world’s biggest employer (1.2 million employees) and everyone takes the train, from ministers to farmers. It takes a bit of time to master the class system (2AC is a good choice); the new online ticket system really helps. You will meet lots of friendly people, no matter which class you travel.
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Learn a few words of Hindi. Most educated people speak English, but working class people & villagers rarely speak more than a few words. “Namaste” is a common greeting; “theek hai” is okay; “accha” is, is that right?; “jaao” is go away’ “chai” is tea; “paani” is water.
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Take a yoga class or stay at a yoga ashram.
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Try a homestay guest house. The family is the backbone of the social system in India and you will learn a lot about the culture — and have a great time — by living with a family.
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Travelers should get properly inoculated against Yellow Fever if coming through infected regions.
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It is advisable to cover yourself with travel insurance for thefts, loss and medi-claim.
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Carry proper maps of the places proposed to visit in India, as signboards are often absent. Try to reach a station during daytime if traveling on your own. In any case avoid persistent touts and taxi-wallahs at airport/stations/bus stand to help you find your hotel. Always use tourist assistance desk for proper advice.
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Participating in a social occasion or visiting a home requires conservative dress codes. Do not shake hands with ladies. Always pick up a thing and eat with your right hand. Take only as much as you can eat, do not leave anything uneaten over the dish.
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While changing money, insist on getting encashment certificate.
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Take care of proper disposal of your rubbish always whether you are exploring desert, or Himalayas or beaches or anywhere else.
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Be careful of cultural and social sensitivities of the regions. There is no single rule for that, the best way is to observe and follow.
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Take care of contamination of water and food problem. Always drink safe mineral water and take well-cooked food.
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Buy at genuine shops only. Bargaining is a popular practice in India and necessary too. Don't ever believe in lucrative offers of antique dealers in which they offer you to carry a parcel of some other buyer back home with your own margin described. Entire transaction should be legal and transparent so that you may claim later if dissatisfied.
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Always chain and lock your luggage under your berth in a train. Don't keep anything valuable near the window. Always carry plenty of water, fluids in trains. A lone woman traveler may request to be accommodated near other women travelers.
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Use licensed guides for sightseeing.
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Always use strong suitcases/baggage, as mishandling is common at airports/stations.
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Avoid eating buffet meals, even in expensive hotels. The food may become contaminated due to over-exposure.
Don'ts
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Hand out money to beggars in crowded places. You will be swarmed. In fact, authorities advise that you don’t give money to anyone asking for a handout. If you want to give, by all means do so — India has many, many worthwhile charitable organizations. Your money will go to a better cause of you give it to a charitable organization. Many beggars work for gangsters, so the money you give to them, just ends up in the gangster’s pocket.
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Wear your shoes in a temple, mosque, gurdwara — any house of worship or sacred place.
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Dress in scanty or provocative clothing.
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Use your left hand for eating, if you are eating with your hands (this is especially true in South India). Also, use only your right hand for any religious or sacred gesture; and don’t point with your feet, or touch things with your feet.
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Eat street food unless you absolutely know it is hygienic. Same goes for salads.
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Take any risks with drinking water. Always ensure the water is completely safe. Buy sealed bottles only.
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Women traveling alone in certain deserted places should avoid walking at odd hours.
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Don't ever enter a temple, tomb, dargah or Gurudwara with shoes on and/or scantily dressed. One should cover his/her head with a cloth while in a Gurudwara or Dargah. Parikrama or walking around the sanctum sanctorum should always be in clockwise direction.
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Do not wear black clothes while visiting a Jain temple. Leather articles are forbidden to be carried in Hindu and Jain temples. Taking photograph of the deity in a temple is normally not permitted.
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Do not point your finger at any person. It is taken as a sign of annoyance.
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Do not encourage beggars.
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Do not checkout of the hotel in hurry. While checking out it has been noticed in some hotels, the extras are unreasonably charged which the guest hurriedly pays without cross-checking.
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Do not leave your cash and valuables in your hotel rooms. Keep your cash divided in different pockets.
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Don't buy antiques more than 100 years old. Selling and buying "shahtoosh" shawls is a crime. The same goes for ivory and wildlife.
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Don't eat anything offered by fellow travelers on train/road travels. It might have sleeping pills. Always travel reserved class in trains.
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Do not visit places which encourage orthodoxy, social injustice and inhuman practices (like visiting a sati temple).
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While traveling, don't act confused. Keep a posture of a person known to the region.
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Don't photograph women without permission.
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Don't accept offers of visiting anyone's home unless you are confident of the person.
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Don't tip unreasonably and unnecessarily in a hotel. The NEWS soon spreads in the hotel and by the time you checkout there will be a group of them saluting you to expect something.