Today was not nearly as eventful as yesterday (I went on my lunch hour and missed two deliveries!) but it was still a great day.
It's easy to forget that common American sayings don't apply in other countries. Today a nurse sneezed and I instinctively said "Bless you!" She became very concerned and said "I have only a cold." Speaking English in Trichy is also a bit tricky; even-though many people speak English very well, they speak British English (with an Indian accent). The pronunciation of words can get very confusing, especially in the medical setting where most words are already unfamiliar. I learned that today when the physician was speaking to me about gestational diabetes (die-ah-bet-us) and I told her I had never heard of it...whoops!
Another thing we are growing used to in India is blackouts. The power goes out in the whole city at once. However, it happens so frequently that no one seems to notice. Almost every building has generators for their most important items but it is so interesting to watch the room go black and no one even looks around.
One of my favorite parts of working with Dr. Victoria (the ob/gyn) is how seriously she takes her coffee breaks. Her office usually has 10-15 people in it- but at 11:15 everyday she sends everyone out and locks the door. For the following three minutes we (Dr. Victoria, the nurses and I) drink a cup of coffee. When we are finished the door is unlocked and the day continues!
This afternoon I worked with the Physician of Natural Healing. I sat with her as she counseled patients on how to live a healthier lifestyle and better regulate stress levels via diet and exercise. She invited me to do yoga with one of the patients and I really enjoyed being able to stretch out and get my blood flowing (although it did get very hot).
The nurses are teaching me bits of Tamil (the language here) and are so happy when I learn a new word. Today they took me on a tour of the hospital and had me say various words in Tamil for everyone (which was always followed by applause and high-fives). So today I leave you with poiettu varen! (Good-bye)
Goofing around with the nurses (Mani and Camarei) in the labor ward
p.s. I forgot to put my earrings in today and when I got to the hospital every woman I saw pointed to my ears. One of the nurses pointed and said "you get them at lunch." I had no idea my earrings were so important! Lesson learned. They were all very relieved when I came by to work with jewelry-clad ears.
It's easy to forget that common American sayings don't apply in other countries. Today a nurse sneezed and I instinctively said "Bless you!" She became very concerned and said "I have only a cold." Speaking English in Trichy is also a bit tricky; even-though many people speak English very well, they speak British English (with an Indian accent). The pronunciation of words can get very confusing, especially in the medical setting where most words are already unfamiliar. I learned that today when the physician was speaking to me about gestational diabetes (die-ah-bet-us) and I told her I had never heard of it...whoops!
Another thing we are growing used to in India is blackouts. The power goes out in the whole city at once. However, it happens so frequently that no one seems to notice. Almost every building has generators for their most important items but it is so interesting to watch the room go black and no one even looks around.
One of my favorite parts of working with Dr. Victoria (the ob/gyn) is how seriously she takes her coffee breaks. Her office usually has 10-15 people in it- but at 11:15 everyday she sends everyone out and locks the door. For the following three minutes we (Dr. Victoria, the nurses and I) drink a cup of coffee. When we are finished the door is unlocked and the day continues!
This afternoon I worked with the Physician of Natural Healing. I sat with her as she counseled patients on how to live a healthier lifestyle and better regulate stress levels via diet and exercise. She invited me to do yoga with one of the patients and I really enjoyed being able to stretch out and get my blood flowing (although it did get very hot).
The nurses are teaching me bits of Tamil (the language here) and are so happy when I learn a new word. Today they took me on a tour of the hospital and had me say various words in Tamil for everyone (which was always followed by applause and high-fives). So today I leave you with poiettu varen! (Good-bye)
Friends and Nurses: Rahila, Salanya and Indu
p.s. I forgot to put my earrings in today and when I got to the hospital every woman I saw pointed to my ears. One of the nurses pointed and said "you get them at lunch." I had no idea my earrings were so important! Lesson learned. They were all very relieved when I came by to work with jewelry-clad ears.
I love the pictures--keep them coming! Your outfit is beautiful-especially the earrings!
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