India Begins

And so my experience in India begins. After two planes, three airports, one cab, one hotel, one train, one big bus, one small bus, 48 hours, and 4 random meals we made to Miraj. The one thing I can say... India has defied all of my expectations. Not necessarily for better or for worse, it's just different than I had expected but honestly, how can anyone raised in the US ever be prepared for this?

We arrived at the airport in Mumbai late Tuesday night. Keep in mind that it is 12 1/2 hours ahead here. The airport was really pretty nice, but as soon as we were out of the parking lot in our prepaid cab, everything changed and has pretty much stayed the same since. The cities and the towns here are old, dirty, random, mismatched, crowded, loud, busy, primitive, and the whole place smells. It almost feels as if India is chasing you down or breathing down your neck at all times but at the same time there's something about it that is intriguing, maybe even charming. I can see how people come here and get attached. Especially after meeting some of the people. I've realized that they might stare at you but that's because there aren't that many americans here and so they are interested to meet you, to learn about you. They are incredibly courteous and polite once you start talking with them. I've already had 6 cups of chai tea today alone, only one of which was served at home. The rest were offered to us by physicians, bankers, basically everywhere we go, they offer us tea :) Just like anywhere though, not everyone is so nice. India is obviously dangerous and I believe that now more than ever.

As far as the logistical stuff... I haven't figured out how to upload pics but as soon as I do, I'll get some up. Miraj is moderately sized with ~ 1 million people. It is ~65% muslim and 35% hindu with a very small Christian population. The city is not big, area wise. We are staying in Fletcher Hall which is bungalow housing on the Wanless Hospital campus. It's fully equiped with furniture, bedding, mosquito nets, closets, showers, hot water and a somewhat Western toilet (this is a huge perk!). Laura and I apparently lucked out because we have air conditioning. Kris's room doesn't :( There is also a common room with a big dining table. This is where our keeper, Mohan, hangs out. I can already tell you Mohan is the man. He cooks us breakfast, lunch and dinner, drives us places and relays information from the hospital to us. He also does our laundry and cleans our rooms, which is pretty crazy. All in all, it will cost us $15 a day... not bad, especially considering it's nicer than any hotel in town. We walk across the road to the hospital. Work starts around 8:00, then we break for lunch from 1:00-3:00, europe style, go back at 3:00 and then go home at 5:00. Not exactly an 80 hour work week :) We were assigned rotations based on our interests but the schedules are clearly flexible. The Director, Dr. Kamle, was very nice and basically wants us to do what interests us. The hospital itself was established by an American doctor in the 1800's to serve this state and the neighboring two states. Many of the facilities have been donated/funded by US churches and other American organizations so they are very glad to have us here. The clinics are very, very primitive but they seem to have everything that really counts. Lab, meds, imaging, radiation therapy, chemo, ICUs, a NICU, ect. Most all of the physicians speak english and chart in english but the patients hardly ever speak english, or at least that was my experience today. So far though, the patients here are treated exactly the same as they are in the States. Some things aren't as common here, others are... so that changes clinic a bit but for the most part it's very similar from a treatment perspective. I have already taken alot of photos which I will post, that will help you understand clinic more than anything. I"m looking forward to going to the Leprosy hospital and doing some inpatient work so I'll keep you posted on that as well.

Mohon will have dinner ready pretty soon so I'll have to say goodbye for now. I'm planning a series entitled the "Mohon Chronicles" featuring his amazing cooking so look for that. Should be fun. I love you all!