Babies galore

Today was full of babies! The morning began with 2 c-sections and the afternoon ended with a natural birth.  All of the births were so amazing.  I have seen a few now but each one is still incredible to me.  I think everyone is a bit amused at the hospital with how excited I get.

I also learned about how many women in India believe in astrology and the great importance of their horoscopes.  Dr. Victoria had to rush to deliver both children before 10:30AM this morning because the mothers believed it was auspicious to birth a child before10:30AM today.  Many women actually schedule their c-sections specifically for days that their horoscope agrees with.  For similar reasons, Tuesdays tend to be slow days at the clinic. (I even found this website upon googling!)

The girls and I have slowly eased back into traditional Indian (except for Dawn who is still pretty sick) and we're enjoying everything the cooks are preparing.  We're just trying to master the pronunciation of what we're eating-- chapati (thin wheat tortilla-like bread) has become a staple in our meals and we've got that one down! 

I love getting your e-mails- keep sending! alexandradezii@gmail.com  Nandri!

Pants Party

Today was not nearly as eventful at Dr. Victoria's but still a very good day! I got caught up in a procedure this afternoon and missed the usual goat herder (see previous post) as I waited for my car.  However, I was delighted to see a large group of school children run by the hospital.  All of the little girls were dressed in matching pink plaid salwar kameeze - it was just about the cutest darn thing I've ever seen. I totally milked my celebrity status and watched them burst into giggles and run and tell their friends when I waved.

Emily and I embarked on part 2 of our little pants adventure today.  You see, when I purchased all of my salwar kameeze they came with pants that resemble MC Hammer's below

While salwar kameeze pants are actually supposed to be parachute pants, mine still had a bit more fabric than necessary. To fix this problem, Emily and I ventured into the town to seek out a tailor (look how independent we are, Dr. Jones!).  We found one within walking distance and I attempted to tell the tailor what I wanted (mostly by gestures and broken English).  I then handed over all 4 pairs of my pants and was told to return the next day. I hope you understand what a massive leap of faith this was.  I was a bit afraid that when I returned today  she would have made my pants so small I could no longer wear them (leaving me entirely pantsless).  But I am happy to announce not only did all of my pants fit perfectly (and with significantly less fabric) but it only cost me 120rs! Thats right- four altered pants for less than $2.25 total.  I love India.

Coming To A Theatre Near You

Today was an awesome day at the hospital.  We started the morning with usual rounds -- visiting about 25 patients that had delivered in the past few days.  (Rounds are typically my favorite part of the day because I get to see all of the precious day-old babies.)  I spent the rest of the day in the OR observing a variety of procedures (hysterectomy, lumpectomy, tube litigation, abscess removal...among others).  It was great getting to see such a wide array and Dr. Victoria made sure I understood all that was happening.  I finished the afternoon in ultrasound and witnessed all different stages of pregnancy.

I'd like to acknowledge that this was a terribly boring blog post but it was actually the most eventful day I've had! I'm sorry that its hard to make surgeries sound like fun- but I had a blast :]

ps- they call the OR "The Theatre" 

A day at the Market

India enlivens your senses in a way thats hard to describe. The smells, the colors, the sounds...its all so overwhelming in its very perfect way.

I spent last summer working as a camp counselor at Camp Lakey Gap, a camp for children with Autism.  We ate our meals quietly and communicated mostly by written word or pictures.  As with any summer camp there was always a sense of chaos, despite our calm demeanor and quiet voices.  India has proven to be the exact opposite of my camp experience.

Instead of trying to dull down sensory objects it seems as if India's goal is to overstimulate its population.  Thousand of people, cars and animals walk along a single street.  People participate in 5 conversations at one time.  And yet, there is this underlying sense of calm here.  Its as if people are both entirely aware and entirely unaware of the chaos that surrounds them.  Somehow I am not overstimulated by this environment (although I am usually so quickly overstimulated at home that I insist on turning the music off before having a conversation, or turning the TV off if the phone rings).  India is really about finding your groove and falling into it. Like I said, it's hard to describe.

We spent the morning at the market.  It was packed full of people and produce.  At one point we were even pushed out of the way by a cow! The pictures that we see in magazines really don't convey what its like to be at a traditional Indian market (especially on a Sunday, its busiest day of the week).  We snapped a few pictures of our own (half of these are Emily's) -- I am sorry that you can't smell the produce through the computer- it was quite an experience!

Selling curry leaves

So many coconuts!

We went to the fish market also- this little boy is descaling fish

Have you ever seen so many potatoes?!

We spent the rest of our Sunday napping, playing cricket, grocery shopping and eating ice cream.  It was a pretty splendid weekend.

We found a very western ice cream place in walking distance!

Action shot of our afternoon cricket game 

Our cricket teachers

My new cricket team- coming to a country near you!

Check out Emily's blog today too! http://emilysindiaadventures.blogspot.in/

Sending my love to you all,

al

Temples and Coconuts

Today ''the plague'' took down Dawn and Dani got sicker.  On the bright side, Emily and I were feeling much better when we woke up!

Emily and I started our day very early by going to visit Ucchi Pillayar (Rockfort) Temple with our friends Kavi and Preghati.  I couldn't get a picture of its entirety so I borrowed the one below from Google images.

  The final ascent!

To get to the top of the temple required a gajillion steps (rough estimate) with a few stops in between that held smaller temples. An unexpected aspect of these steps was that we ascended them barefoot (it is disrespectful to wear shoes in the temple).  The view from the top was remarkable- you can see all of Trichy.  Pictures really don't do it justice but I've added some just incase...

We went western with our clothing choice to best handle the climb and the heat.
While we were taking pictures of the surroundings we began to notice something peculiar...people were taking pictures of us. Kavi informed us that we were a rare find in this part of India and people were excited to say they saw us. And we thought we'd feel silly taking so many pictures today- ha!

We spent the rest of morning as we would on a typical American Saturday- Shopping! The girls took us to all sorts of shops.  We went to the Kohls of India and found all sorts of souvenirs for you lovely people! We also went to a wal-mart-esque store that had products pretty similar to what you'd find in the US.  The shop employees asked Kavi where we were from and when she told them we were American they sprung into action.  They came back holding 4 cups of juice and told Kavi that they wanted us to have it.  I'm not sure if we will ever get used to being treated like movie stars- but Kavi and Preghati love the special treatment. They keep telling us how fun it is to go out with us because it makes them look so cool.

 One side of Trichy

While we were out, Dawn and Danielle went to the doctor and were prescribed an antibiotic

With Kavi  and Preghati

(Danielle is already feeling better!)  Emily and I stopped at the store to bring back supplies to help them feel better but when we returned- they had already been so well taken care of! Solomon, our RA, brought the girls everything from Sprite to fruit to coconuts.  Yup. Coconuts. That was interesting.  There was a knock at the door and Solomon was standing there with a coconut and straw. Today, Dawn and I learned that we don't care much for fresh coconut milk.  Dawn and I also learned how to clean up coconut milk from all over the floor.

Emily and I took a nice walk around campus to stretch our legs.  We met a few other international students (2 from Africa, 1 from North Korea) while we wandered.  All of them were so pleased to learn we were from the States (one of them said he had never seen an American on this campus).
This trip really is teaching us how fortunate we are.  People are constantly telling us how lucky we are to be from the States- one student today told us how fortunate we are to be American-educated.  This is something that I think we all too often take for granted.  This is our sixth day in India and I've already learned so much.  I can't wait to see what the following days bring.

The Plague

Well friends, it has been one week since we began this journey.  And the inevitable has happened: we are sick.
We are all battling varied forms of sickness. We think chicken is the culprit because it is the only thing Dani, Emily and I have eaten and Dawn has not (shes not quite as sick as the rest of us).  Luckily, we all came prepared and have broken into our stash of Luna/cliff bars.  The cooks were also very kind today to bring us bread and peanut butter when we couldn't stomach the Indian lunch they prepared for us.  We all made it to our first shift at the hospitals but the second shift seemed like a bad idea.  There were two surgeries happening this afternoon that I would have loved to see, but fainting and/or tossing your cookies in the OR is likely just as frowned upon in India as America.  Fun fact learned while seeking American comforts: Netflix and HBOGo do not stream to India ("Sorry, Netflix hasn't come to this part of the world yet")
After resting for most of the afternoon we are all starting to feel better.  Dani's boss invited us to a wedding this evening- and although we looked like soldiers coming out of battle, we desperately wanted to attend.  It was a Catholic wedding and, much to our surprise, almost the whole service was in English. It was almost identical to a Catholic Wedding in America (except there wasn't a "you may now kiss the bride.")  Even the wedding party's attire was very western.  The couple seemed to be very progressive and we do not think the marriage was arranged but Dani is going to gather more details for us on Monday.  We really hope to see a Hindu wedding while we are here and Dani's doctor thinks that can be arranged.
The women attending were all dressed in the most beautiful saris.  It was like attending an Indian fashion show!
I've attached some pictures below of the happy couple and their parents. (The couple was probably wondering who invited the Americans)

This is all of us outside the wedding (me, Danielle, Dawn and Emily) in our Salwar Kameeze-- we were all feeling pretty weak when we took this- so hopefully I can post a healthier picture of us soon!

Missing you all,
Allie

Where are your earrings?!

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)

 

Friends and Nurses: Rahila, Salanya and Indu

 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.