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Guest house shower in India and Nepal |
A good "bucket showers" is hard to achieve, it takes a lot of practice, mistakes, and aha moments. When you pour the water over your dry cloths, or if you run out of water before all the soap is off or maybe you leave the shower with dirt still behind your ears (what did your mom say?) you will realize how hard of a task it is.
While traveling in India and Nepal and through my many experiences hiking into the back-country I have perfected the "Bucket Shower".
First is Bucket shower anatomy. You have the main water vessel and a smaller hand held bucket. The small bucket is to use as a pouring device and the large bucket a reservoir for the water.
Second thing to think about is that water is limited, sometimes only a gallon (3.7 L). A low flow shower uses about 7-8 gallons every 5 mins and older shower heads can use up to 20 gallons in 5 mins. Another consideration is that you usually are only packing one of those travel towels, that at best cover your abdomen.

Shampooing and conditioning is not always an option. A two in one conditioning shampoo can help greatly in these situations. Trust me you don't want soapy hair afterwards.
Make sure when you pour the water over yourself that you are not standing over the bucket, otherwise you will contaminate your only water source with soapy runoff. First pat on a small amount of water and then add soap, soaking your hair in the small pour bucket will help reduce water loss and wet your hair thoroughly.
You might be in many different situations, maybe its freezing cold, maybe you are in public or in an open area, maybe you are in nature. You must be able to adapt to the situation.

Women in India if in public usually bath in a saree-like cover wrapped around them. If you are a women that has to bath in public make sure to wear fully covering clothing that dry quickly. This can also help in homes where the bathing area is open to the rest of the house. Often a family with bath together.
I hope when you receive your first bucket you will remember my post and come up with your own perfections to the "bucket shower". Happy Travels.
Oh My God! I didnt know our regular bucket bath could be so tedious for a friend from far of country... :) Happy travelling...
ReplyDeleteI guess you've got to do what you've got to do.
ReplyDeleteI think going to India during monsoon season would solve the shower problem.
ReplyDelete