Now in Darjeeling and loving the cool mountain weather! Jeremy has arrived and with him a whole new batch of crazy India stories (He traveled for short time by himself before meeting us here). A small sample of the best:
1. He made such good friends with an autorickshaw driver that he was ALLOWED to drive the thing at break-neck speed, after consumption of EtOH.
1. He made such good friends with an autorickshaw driver that he was ALLOWED to drive the thing at break-neck speed, after consumption of EtOH.
2. He went to Agra by himself two days ago and his train car caught on fire. The fire was extinguished and the passengers got back on the SAME car and proceeded to Agra as though nothing had happened.
The last week in Delhi was pretty exhausting with the heat and the program trying to cram in as much possible before we left. My favorite was Venu Eye Institute, which provides free cataract surgery to patients who couldn't otherwise afford it. I was allowed to scrub on a few cases. I think they use the same technology as that which is utilized at home. The only differences are that flip-flops are provided and mandatory in the OR and they have more assembly line-type procedures. Two beds are set up in the OR and as the surgeon is finishing with one patient, another is brought back and prepped. The surgeon merely takes off his gloves, changes them for another set, and walks around to the other table. What crazy business!
We also spent some time with organizations that work with HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.
An HIV/AIDS and IV drug abuse medical center's autoclave.
Their entire pharmacy.The HIV/AIDS and drug abuse issues can sometimes get overwhelming. The problems are so large and so complex and as you can see, the organizations are so very poorly equipped. Their funding is meager and most can barely accomplish minor goals.
It has been really nice to no longer be immersed in poverty, disease, and suffering. I am enjoying just being a tourist. Will post more about Darjeeling soon!
Nance-
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are having fun in Darjeeling! I'm glad that Jeremy made it there safely! Columbus is really boring right now...there's like no one here! I am going to Nashville this weekend to meet up with the ride for world health, but Nashville is currently flooded so we'll see how that goes. Anyways, stay safe and enjoy! I will see you guys like like a few weeks now!