It's all in the bag

In grad school we did this really fun assignment where we made documentary videos about the contents in each others purses/bags. The stuff we carry really does say so much about our lives, so I thought I'd let you have a look into mine. Also, if you're planning a trip to Southern India, this could be a useful list of must haves.

1. Toilet paper. I never ever ever leave the house without a roll. Southern Indians generally just have buckets of water next to their toilets, and I don't know about you, but water doesn't generally dry anything off for me. I was shocked to see that even in private homes people don't use toilet paper. Twice so far I've been stuck with nothing but the bucket + faucet, and let me just say, it was unpretty. And swampy. (Note: Chandigarh had lots of toilet paper, this is in regards to Southern India, namely Tamil Nadu)

2. Sunglasses. *So important*. The men here (Chennai) are not used to seeing Western dressed women and will burn holes through your clothing with their stares. A good pair of shades not only blocks the sun from your eyes, but also gives you a little privacy from lecherous looks.

3. Hand sanitizer. The rumors are true. India is dirty. We're talking Middle Ages, black plague style dirty. You're going to want to wash your hands, a lot.

4. Lip gloss. Self-explanatory.

5. Bobby pins, hair ties, clips. If you have longish hair (or really just hair at all), you're not going to want it touching you. My hair goes way up on top of my head where it chills out and doesn't stick to my neck. #worstfeelingever

6. Wallet. Duh.

7. Camera. For all the crazy things you are 100% going to see.

8. Phone. Duh.

9. Travel note book + a pen. I bought this one from an antique store for my brother and then liked it too much and never gave it to him (sorry D). Chances are you're going to pass something you'll want to remember or meet someone you'll want to see again.

10. A handkerchief (or any kind of fabric/cloth). When I first arrived the smell of Chennai was so bad I would gag, literally, in the middle of the street on an hourly basis. We'd be walking to dinner, gag. I'd be in a rickshaw, gag. On my way to the gym, gag. And by gag I mean, heave so badly I was 100% sure that at any moment I was going to throw up all over myself. I wish you could experience the smell, just to understand how good your life is right now. The smell isn't just like a little whiff of something unseemly. It's like a hot wave of putrid rotting diapers/fish mixed with urine, cow, and Indian armpit. In other words, if breathing is important to you, you're going to need something to cover your nose and mouth with.

11. Sunscreen. Nobody likes cancer.

12. A water bottle. Sometimes you'll wonder if you're sweating or melting? And since you're a woman, you'll need to be covered from collar bone to ankle and will sweat lots. It's a delicate balance though, because drinking too much can lead to needing to pee in a public restroom before you get home (never a good idea).

13. A pack of gum. Chances are you'll be really nauseous anytime you use transportation of any kind. Rickshaws are open to the elements so you're breathing in lots of exhaust and the above mentioned smells, plus it's really bumpy and the driving defies description. Gum can help you not vom.

What's in your purse? :)