6 days

I have only 6 days left till I leave India and fly back to America on my 18 hr flight. This time has crept up on me with out me knowing. It feels like just last week I landed in India, ready to set out on all my adventures I was sure to encounter. I have done so many things, seen so many new things, met so many nice people that India has become a part of my heart forever. I am very eager to be coming home to my family and friends, but im also deeply saddened of everything that I am giving up here. Darlene and I were walking to dinner a few nights ago and the sun set was remarkably gorgeous, pinks and purples on the horizon with the palm trees in the background, and we both commented on how this is such a beautiful place and how will we ever be able to leave it. India is nothing like the US in people, culture, food, and landscape it is unique in ever way, and i have fallen in love with it all. This has been an experience that has stretched my limits in every possible way from my nursing career to meeting new people to performing on stage to having a closer walk with God. I have learned so much from India and I hope that i have left my imprint on her as well. I have been doing my last minute shopping, eating all my favorite food that just wont be the same in America, hanging out with my friends that i probably wont ever see again, and visiting new places before I go. Last week I went on a motorcycle ride which is an adventure considering no road rules with animals crossing the street at there leisure to Vijayawada and did some last minute gift shopping. Darlene, Andy and i went to Kondapolli which is famous for making wooden dolls. And went to an Adventist village wedding on Sunday that was an arranged marriage which is still most common in India. The traditions here are so entwined into their lives its beautiful in ever way that they live. They do everything the same way as the bible times thrashing the rice with there hands and carrying water in a bucket on top there heads from the water pump to their homes. India is a very rich country in culture and its amazing to be apart of it for my last 9 months. I am so glad that God gave me this opportunity to share his love and give my medical help to those in need here in India. I might forget some experiences i have had, people i have met, but i will not forget the feeling i have for india and the way it has changed me for the rest of my life. I hope that all of you that are reading this may also get a chance to experience the extreme joy and bliss that i have found during my year of service for others. I am flying home june 15, 2009 and am looking forward to seeing you all again who i have longed to see for the past 9 months. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes and thoughts while i have been here in India it has meant a lot to me.

The Golden Triangle

My Parents came to visit me finally. I have missed them and everything from America very much. I went to Delhi by bus the day before their flight came in. I arrived at the airport dressed in a “salwar kameez” a typical Indian outfit waiting impatiently for their arrival. While I was waiting for them to come out of customs I kept seeing all these foreigners except my parents I was getting a little stir crazy. I finally saw them coming down and I started crying I could not stop I was so happy to see them. My mom did not even recognize me at first she had to do a double take. Everyone around us must have thought we were a silly sight but it did not bother me one bit I was to ecstatic to see my family! The following day I introduced my parents to a typical north Indian breakfast: curd (yogurt) and aloo paratha (potato between flat bread). Not sure if they would want to eat this every morning like Indians do but they seemed to like it. We found our selves an auto rickshaw that took us around for two days to see the forts, monuments, gardens, temples, museums and had an amazing time. Delhi is very rich in history and culture its an experience you don’t want to miss. We over paid our rickshaw driver so he would not leave us. He kept taking us to his “uncles” shops, places we did not want to go but had to since he was driving us that’s the only downside to Indian drivers. We than rented a vehicle to take us to Agra and than Jaipur the other two cities that constitute the golden triangle. We saw the Taj Mahal at sunset on the beach where I got to ride a camal, a very memorable ride. Following day we visited the Taj Mahal for 4 hours it was the most majestic thing I have ever seen, all three of us were mesmerized and did not want to leave. So we paid a tour guide to tell us about the history and it’s a tragic love story with death and imprisonment. We continued on our journey to Jaipur the “pink city.” We rode an elephant saw the red fort and had a tour guide us through the city. And than we took a flight to shimla to see where I have been staying for my time in india. They saw the hospital and met the staff, and mom and I went on a horse ride up a mountain which was so cool. Over all we had a great trip and I was so thankful that my parents came. They took in lots of Indian food, culture, history, lifestyle for a short trip. Its something that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Surat and Nuzvid, India

I decided I have done all that I can for shimla Sanitarium and Hospital and made arrangements to shift to Gifford Memorial Hospital in Nuzvid which is located in Andhra Pradesh in the south of India. Darlene an American nurse has been working there since September, so we were both happy to have some company. She was in Surat at the moment visiting, which is in Gujarat state on the west coast, one of the wealthiest states in india. We have an SDA hospital there that is amazing. I have never seen a hospital in india like this it could rival the hospitals in America. Dr Jeremiah has turned this hospital into the best in Gujarat. I flew to meet Darlene and Candy another American volunteer working at the South Asia division offices for SDA. Candy has been working in india for the past 4 years so she had everything down pat. We shopped, worked in the hospital, and met amazing people for about a week and than had to say goodbye and go down to Nuzvid. The train was 16 hr ride but Darlene and I kept ourselves entertained with our different stories of india. We finally reached my new destination for my last 2 months in india.
Nuzvid is a large size village that is famous all over india and you will never guess for what. MANGOS!! They export mangos from nuzvid groves to all over india as well as outside the country. I have another question for you do you know how many types of mangos there are? Well technically I don’t know how many either, but I thought there was only one type until I came here and found out there so many varieties its overwhelming. Darlene’s favorite are sucking mangos, you just squish the mango and make a hole at the top and suck out the juice. My favorite are the kind you cut, I think its more tasty this way. Its about an hour drive from Vijayawada a big town so I can buy myself soy milk, one of the things I have been craving the most since arriving in india. The temperature is less than to be desired. Now if you remember in Shimla it was freezing I had to sleep with two blankets and a hot water bag at my feet every night. It’s the opposite temperature here. It varies between 98-115 degrees every day with humidity. Im staying in my own room across the hall from Darlene thankfully with an air conditioner . The hospital has a huge campus and there building more as we speak. The hospital has 150 beds but there usually not even close to being filled. The common things they see in the ER is malaria, snake bites, and suicide. When I arrived I got the most amazing welcome. During morning worship they introduced me to everyone and gifted me with a garland of flowers. I don’t work on the floors like I did before im doing more in-servicing with Darlene. We find ways to make the departments run smother, teach classes at the nursing school, teach the nurses better techniques, give the drills to keep there minds sharp, as well as a lot of things for the church. I help teach the teen Sabbath school and help out with all of there activities, and put together Sabbath school and AY. For a whole week Darlene and I put together VBS without any notice. I showed up to help and the pastor said no one else came to help you can make the program and teach. So I was very busy and hectic for that week with 50 kids it was a blessing we had so much fun. Candy came to visit for a while she works at the division and runs Advientist Child India, where she finds sponsors for indian kids to pay for there Adventist education. We took a day trip and visited a couple of the schools she has sponsored kids and than went to machilipatnam beach on the sea of Bengal. The just drive the auto rickshaws right up on the beach. And they have tons of fishing boats out. And no one wears bathing suits like at home they just wear there normal everyday clothes into the water. But than again no one knows how to swim they just jump around in it. That was a wild day jam packed with a very hot day and a car with no air conditioning. Another Sabbath we went to Platinum Jubilee for an SDA church. Its always something new here in Nuzvid it’s a nice change.

Bobbili summer camp

Just got back from Bobbili, India where a Blind school funded by Mcneilus via asian aid. During the summer they hold a summer camp for 1 ½ months for the SDA orphans that want to spend their holiday there. Darlene and I were asked to come help out for the weekend. We took the train on Wednesday to visakhapatnam the best beach in Andhra Pradesh. We spent that night and the next day site seeing and shopping. We toured an Indian submarine, walked up and down the beach for hours. And you wont guess everyone wears their regular clothes i.e. sari, pants. Its funny to see this because im use to American beaches where everyone is so scantily clothed, but I have to remember this is India. We went shopping in the bazaar and ate the most amazing “Gobi Manchurian.” The principle Paulson came to pick us up with his family and we went to a park during sunset that overlooks visakhapatnam where u can see the beach with the bay, the city lights, and the cliffs, it was beautiful. The following day we met the kids and the other staff which were all so welcoming. We did health talks, taught them the electric slide and the macarena (which was hilarious to see them dancing), did crafts (sari embroidery), Darlene spoke for Vespers and Divine Service, I taught the kids a skit for Sabbath school, played a bible quiz for AY with them, and just hanged out. The weekend was very busy but it was a great time. On Sunday we climbed the mountain right behind the school and it was a crazy hike with thorns, I have never climbed something so steep and crawling over rocks with flip flops before but the kids were sweet and helped me out. We toured the Sunrise orphanage were some of the kids at the camp are from as well as saw the new property they bought funded by asian aid to build a bigger orphanage for the kids. This weekend was a blessing to me in so many ways. Seeing these kids that have had such a terrible life still be so joyous and give praise to the Lord. A few of the blind students were there as well and to see what they are capable of is amazing.

Nepal march 1-14

Foreigners can only stay in india for 6 months at a time, it does not matter how long your visa is for. So I decided to go to Nepal for 10 days with another SM I met here named Steve. Now my trip to Nepal was not so nice and easy that I had hoped for, I had many hiccups along the way but I made it. I went to the bus counter and asked for a deluxe bus ticket to delhi where I would take a plane to Kathmandu. Now I did not realize they were so sneaky because there is a super deluxe bus the one I wanted to take, deluxe bus, and local, but come on now super deluxe, deluxe why would they do this to me so confusing. So I got a ticket for 9:30 AM on Sunday with a deluxe bus to delhi. It took 11 hrs to get there from shimla and I was so ready to be off for sure because they kept stopping for long periods of time, it should only take 9 hrs. Ashu a guy I met here lives in delhi so I called him up and he met me at the bus station. This was another encounter because there are multiple bus stations and the bus driver does not speak English so I had to guess it was crazy, but thankfully it was the right stop for me. Ashu took me to McDonalds for a veggie burger I was so surprised and it was delicious, my first time in an Indian MceD’s. Another problem I encountered was that I made a reservation to stay at the Adventist guest house, but when I got there they said my name was not on the list. Now it was getting late around 9 PM so we had to call a couple people and they finally realized I did call but the problem was that they were having a pastor conference in delhi so the whole place was booked supposedly. They could only put me in a dormitory room with four older men that smelt. I could now believe this I was mortified, thankfully Ashu was with me and we took a rickshaw to another hotel for me to stay at. It was more expensive but at least I felt more comfortable. On Monday I woke up and went to a nice restaurant and had pancakes for breakfast but Indian pancakes have more egg in them so they taste like an omelet with syrup and honey. I took a taxi to the airport and met Steve and our plane left for Kathmandu, Nepal at 12 noon. That was another fiasco trying to get the ticket but in the end it worked out. The flight is only 1 ½ hr long and I was so excited when we landed I could not wait. Now when we landed we ran into another problem we both only had Indian rupees and Nepal does not exchange them there illegal so we had to find an ATM and get nepali rupees out and buy 15 day visas. I was so shocked when we left the airport all the taxi drivers spoke really good English, in india they can only speak a few words like “cheap hotel”, and “taxi maam.” We took a pre-paid taxi to Banapa where the Adventist hospital is where we were going to stay. We arrived in Nepal on one of there festivals- shivas birthday. This is a big holiday for them where it is legal to smoke any drug for that one day crazy I know. So our car kept on getting stopped along the way with ropes and people would ask for donations most likely to go smoke. Of course they were having parties along the way so we had to pay extra to go around them. Now the next problem our driver stopped in banapa at the bus stand and demanded 500 extra rupees to take us to the hospital and this is crazy. So we had to get out and walk the rest of the way with all of our bags to the hospital. Thankfully it was only 15 min walk and everyone speaks English so they directed us there. I could not believe it when I reached there is a hospital, school, church, housing, and canteen all on the grounds it was huge. What shocked me most was everyone spoke English and there accent is much easier to understand than Indian. This hospital and school have missionaries from all over the world germany, UK, America. There were two SM’s Brandon and Shannon who teach at the school, so we spent our time with them. It was really nice to be with other missionaries in my situation, because where I am im the only one. We all took a walk to a local temple our first night there because it was the festival. Lighting bon fires and dancing around them is another practice for this festival so we got to watch that it was really great. I visited the school and I was amazed the kids were so excited about learning I was very impressed. 2 retired American nurses were volunteering at the hospital so they gave me a tour and I was so impressed. Sheer Memorial hospital has everything all the specialties even ICU and PICU. Here at the hospital they have everything. I had an actual shower, internet access, and great food from there canteen. I felt like I was being spoiled it was a nice change for a little bit to rejuvenate me, because im starting to get a little homesick. The four of us hanged out for a few days watched movies, my favorite one was slumdog millionaire this is such a great movie and very true to life sadly. And we made pancakes from trader joes that shannons mom sent over. Than on Wednesday two other SM from india came as well for the same reason as me and steve I did not even know there were more SM in india so it was a great surprise for all of us so we had other people to go around sight seeing. It has been so long since I have been in a group of 6 other Americans it was a great time. We took a bus to Bhaktapur, they have a lot of shopping and temples to see. Its so beautiful here I was just blown away. The shop keepers are very persistent here as well you have to bargain everything of course because they raise the price for us because we are foreigners, and they all speak English I’m assuming because so many foreigners come trekking in Nepal. One man followed me around the whole time we were here trying to sell me this bowl that sings when you hit it something famous here. And I did not even want it but he just kept on lowering the price and I just kept telling him no but he would not take no for an answer. Now I will admit I did buy way to much when I was here in Nepal everything is so cheap that I could not help myself it was to much fun. On the way back to the hospital we had to ride on the top of the bus this is usually only for men but there was no room in the bus all the seats were taken and the aisle was completely crowded. It was fun and scary and cold all at the same time. The following day we took a bus to Kathmandu this is the capital so there were so many foreigners. It takes 1 ½ to 2 hr on the bus because the traffic is crazy. We stopped at a coffee shop and it was just like one from home. Kathmandu is a booming place. They have restaurants from every country. We ate at an Israeli place it was amazing food. All 6 of us piled into a taxi for only 15o rupees to the monkey temple. The monkeys are much better behaved here than the ones from shimla who will attack you and steal all of your things. It was amazing seeing all the great architecture and the nepali people worshiping. We took another taxi with all of us to Thamel to go shopping, but this taxi driver was not so nice we agreed on a price and than he kept on trying to make us pay more we had to argue with him a lot and than just got out at the end paid him what we said and ran it was hilarious. One of the staff members at the hospital was getting married now there services are really long a whole week. So we just went to the party thrown by the bride where all the bride guest come to and eat, dance, and congratulate her and give a gift. All 4 of us girls dressed up in Sari’s it was so much fun. Yvonne is a long term missionary from America she has been here for 5 yrs, married a nepali man, and they adopted an orphan that was left at the hospital. She lent us all sari and we had a blast. The bride was all in dark red and had so much jewelry on she was beautiful. At the party a few people came up to me and told me I looked like an Indian actress in a sari I thought that was to funny. In Nepal they have there own movie industry but nobody likes it so they get all the American and hindi movies. The following day we went again to Kathmandu and shopped some more and than had pizza at yvonne’s and watched a movie. I got really sick on Saturday from the food but thankfully it was only for a day I was locked up inside. The next day Yvonne, Kristina, kara, and I went into Kathmandu and shopped they have this huge supermarket where you can get a lot of food from home almost anything you want, they are very lucky because I cant get any food from home where I am, I rely on packages from home. We dropped the girls off at the bus station to go back to india, it was sad to see them go. We stopped at a shawl shop and there so nice and we had tea with them and of course I bought to many things from him but I cant help it I don’t know if I will ever make it to Nepal again. On the way back we had to sit on the top once again and froze to death but its better than smashing with everyone inside the bus where they press up on you and it smells. The king was over turned only 1 ½ yrs ago so they just made the palace into a museum so I really wanted to go see it so once again we went into Kathmandu but we could not go in until Brandon and Shannon were finished with work at 12 noon but by the time we got there it was closed so instead we went and had delicious Mexican and shopped of course once again. Steve and I left the next day back to india and I was really sad to leave I really loved Nepal and I thought it was a great place I recommend it to everyone to visit the only thing that bummed me out was we could not go to mt everest because it takes 2 wks to climb up to base camp and we were not staying that long, the only regret I have about Nepal. Once again I had troubles traveling back to shimla. The airport in Nepal was crazy security they looked through our bags at 4 security checks I have never been searched so much it took almost 2 hr to go through all of it. Plus they make you pay airport tax on top of your ticket and we did not know this so we did not have anymore Nepal rupees . We finally reached delhi and steve and I go to the baggage claim, his is one of the first off and mine was one of the last, I thought that was weird because we checked in together. I said goodbye to steve because he was taking a train to the south and I was taking a bus to the north. I took a taxi to the bus station and he stopped for gas and made me get out to show the gas attendant, his friend I was like give me a break gee there are a million foreigners here. I took a local bus back to shimla because its not safe to wait on the platform as a single female and the deluxe bus was not for another 2 hrs. It left at 7 PM and reached shimla at 4 AM and the stupid older man that was sitting next to me kept on touching me and I kept telling him to stop that was a pain but that’s what you get on the local busses im use to it. I get to my hostel and I realize this is not my bag OH NOOO! A guy sitting next to me had the exact pea green duffel bag as me I could not believe it. I put my address and cell number on my bag thankfully all because my dad always tells me to and im thankful now that he put that in my head because this gentlemen did not put any information on his bag so I could not even call him. I called the airline for 4 days straight and they were no help at all they just kept putting me in circles. I just kept praying to God that this guy would call me because all of my clothes that I wear regularly were in that bag. I keep thinking to myself everyday doesn’t this guy want his things back what is taking him so long. So I resigned myself that I was never going to see my things again. I only had 2 days to get ready before I was heading out for camp again.

Rajgarh & Sangrah Camp, March 16-22

We left at 6 AM for Rajgarh and stopped for breakfast at a dhaba and had the typical breakfast alho (potato) parantha, curd (something like yogurt), dhal, and tea. We reached the hospital at 10:30 and started setting up the general OT and the eye OT. Now Savita the main girl on the eye side got typhoid so she could not come so I had to be in charge and do everything it was so hectic but thankfully it all got done longer than it should have taken if Savita was there but we got it done, because she packed everything and she is not organized at all so it was hard to find where everything was. I taught Dr. Mandeep how to play phase ten and I beat him good I was so happy, because last camp he taught me a game and he whipped my butt the whole time. Dr. Ali, Sunita, and dennis arrived the next day thankfully and helped me in the eye OPD and OT. There are very few cataract pt at this camp unlike are last camp in shillai where we had to turn people away. We did 17 cataract surgeries and the general side did 65 surgeries they had a lot more pt than us. Finally one night during camp I get this unknown caller on my phone I had no idea who it was but I was pleasantly surprised when it was the guy who has my bag. We talked and decided when I go to delhi to pick up my parents in 15 days I will meet him and we will switch our bags im so excited and relieved. On the 11 of March is the biggest festival in india called Holi. Everyone gets off on this holiday and they throw water ballons and throw this colored powder all over you. A small group from our team traveled to Sangrah our 2^nd camp site to do OPD and bring the patients back to rajgarh hospital because sangrah did not have the right facilities to do operations. But because it was Holi very few pt came to the hospital. We only ended up with 3 general surgeries and 0 cataract surgery it was poor planning I believe on our part because festivals are the biggest thing in india and to think that they would come to the hospital even if they were in severe need of surgery they would still celebrate instead that is how they think religion is very big for them. So instead of pt we were covered in colored powder every color blue, green, orange, purple, pink, yellow. They wish you happy holi and than put a tika on your face and rub it all over in your hair it was fun but it got annoying after while. So we traveled back to rajgarh and we kept on getting stopped for people to put color on us they would stand in front of our vehicle and would not move until one of us came out to get color all over us. One group got violent and started banging on our window trying to break it this is when I got a little scared. We completed 17 more cataract sx and 50 more general sx over all it was a very positive camp. Except the nurses and doctors that work at these government hospitals where we do the surgeries are so lazy they will sit in there room and will not come out even when the pt is in pain and needs medicine. So we kept having to go back at night and check on our pts. This poor girl she was 18 yrs old and in labor all day her mother was not there only her sister so she was scared and had no idea what was happening she was laying on the floor when we came in. So we went to check on the nurses and see what they were doing and they had the music really loud while eating and there was an emergency pt sitting out side there room and they were not helping her that is the kind of things that happen I feel so bad, but there is only so much that you can do because its like this at every government hospital.

Visitors from home

Hi everyone, my parents arrived in delhi safetly. We are traveling the golden triangle: delhi, agra, and jaipur, than we continue to shimla where i am working at the hospital and than sadly they are going home. So far we are having a great time and they are haveing all new experiences. 10 days is too short i think. well see ya around!

Praveen & Sirisha Wedding

Praveen is the business manager at the jalandhar hospital that i worked at for 2 1/2 months. He is getting married the 8th of feb the same day as the camp starting but this is very important to me so dr. bazliel said i could come late to the camp by myself. i was not looking forward to this but you got to do what you got to do. The day before i left the evil crazy monkeys that live in shimla stole my pasta, i was going to make pasta for the girls becuase they dont eat it and the monkeys stole it the same day right out from there kitchen in the hostel. But the next day mr yesupadum, his son and i left for jalandhar, we had to carry everyone wedding gifts with us from the hospital it was a site to see with all the packages on the bus. we took the rustic local buses there not comfortable but there cheap. i met a really nice punjabi girl on the bus we talked for a few hrs and it was nice to talk with some one and she spoke very good english she was doing her internship for dentistry. We reachedd around 10 PM and took an otto rickshaw to the hospital and i stayed at dilpreets house. i have missed her and everyone here at this hospital so much so i was so excited to be back. The next day i went to church and saw all the friendly faces i have missed for so long. i talked with kevin and kerry they are the korean couple voluntering here and there being transfered to nepal so i will never see them again its so sad. the 8th is the wedding i baught a purple indian salwar dress just for his wedding and i was so excited to wear it. the wedding was suppose to start at 3 but it did not till 5 Pm i was getting angry for waiting for so long but what do you expect this is india nothing is on time. They are adventist so they have a christian wedding adn everything is almost the same that we do with only a few changes. they have the white dress and tux, flower girls, groomsman brides maid. The only thing was the her dress was wrinkly and that drove me insane. They dont kiss at the end, and they put a necklace/pendant around the brides neck to simbalize there bond. The sad thing was that her family did not approve of the wedding so they were not there her grandparents approved so they gave her away so you could tell she was a little sad they were not there for her. they are a great couple and deserve all the happiness in the world. Praveen was smiling the whole ceremony he has been waiting for this for a long time. around 7:45 they started the reception they took pictures and than she changed into a sari that was gorgeous. i left around 11 Pm and it was still going strong. Indians know how to party and live it up. The next day i woke up around 6 thinking i was leaving around 7 for shimla but sadly im in india and the van did not leave untill 11 Am so i got to hang around with dilpreet and kerry for a little longer. when i was driving away i could not hold back my tears any longer i will really miss them. The wedding was a blast and it was great to see everyone again i really enjoyed myelf and everyone loved my indian dress.

Choupal & shillai Camp 2/8/09 - 2/20/09

I went to Praveen and Sirisha wedding on the 8th instead of leaving with the team. On the 9th i went with praveen mother and a whole van full of guests from the wedding to chandigarh and toured around. We visited the rock garden, a wholeplace made of everything from rock. he designed animals, people, giant swings, murals all out of stones he picked up. And than we went to the lake cafeteria. Its a big man made lake where you can sit and look out and eat your food as well as take paddle boats out. So me and three other college kids took them out and had a blast in a giant duck paddle boat. This is wear i tasted a Dosa its a south indian dish thats very tasty, its made out of material like crape and has filling inside. Than we went shopping where they have all the stores from home. Now i have been looking for "Singh is kinng" for so long this is my favorite hindi movie but i could not find anyone to sell it with subtitles, but i thankfully found it here I am so happy. At 9 PM Benny Uncle, mr yesupadem, his son and i took a local bus back to shimla and we did not reach till 2 AM i was so tired than we had to walk 20 minutes back to the hospital i was ready to crash. I slept for 1 1/2 hr and than had to get up and go to the bus station at 5 AM to travel to choupal the first camp site. Now you all know how everyone stares at me so i planned ahead and wore a shawl over my head as a disguise but it did not work so well everyone still stared at me. So i had to buy my ticket and than find my bus and travel there all by myself and let me tell you i was terrified. First you have to push your way to the front to get a ticket becuse there is no line. And than find a seat before there is no more and you have to stand. Choupal is 4 hr by bus so it was not going to be bad. except of course anything that can go wrong always goes wrong for me it seems in india. Something happened to the tire and of course no one speaks english becuase they are all villagers so they are not educated. So we sat for an hour while they messed with the tire and finally we were on our way again. but right away i hear a thumping noise so i was like oh no its not fixed. At this point i am praying to God feverishly praying for him to take care of me and let them fix the tire becuase im alone and have no other way of getting to choupal stuck in the middle of i have no idea somewhere in himachel pradesh. thankfully they fix it again and we are on our way. And of course i pick the wrong seat becuase the little girl next to me and the old woman in front of me is throwing up like crazy and thats one thing i dont like. We finally reach choupal and hour late and than there are no taxi for me to take to the hospital so i have to trek up to the hospital a good 20 min walk with all my luggage by myself asking everyone where the government hospital is no one speaks english so they just point but it gets the job done i made it safe with Gods help. Now the whole team has been there for two days now so im a little late but the wedding was worth it. We started surgery when i got there with only 1 1/2 hrs sleep and what i got on the bus. i assisted dr. ali the eye surgeon from shimla hospital. This was my first time with him and i was nervous becuase i was told he shouts if you make a mistake and im not good with shouting so i told him and he just laughed. But i survived it turned out he was very nice and didnt shout at me thankfully. He is an excellent surgeon, we operated on 15 pt the first day roughly 4 surgeries and hour is his speed. Savita is around 26 and gives the local block or anesthisia to the patients, i assist the doctor, and Dennis buyah (brother) circulates and gives us what wee need sterily. I really enjoyes this team we had a good time and accomplished alot. the 11th we operated on 25 pt, and one of the patients was disabled where his legs were permenantly scrunched to his chest so he could not walk i felt so bad he came to us blind and physically could not walk or work. And after the surger we gave him sight so at least we made his life alittle better, but it looked wild with him on the operating table legs sticking up. On the 12th it snowed and was beautiful we only got to play in it for a few mintues when we walked to the hospital and than got down to buisness. We operated on 31 pt everyday till 10:30 11:00 PM so i was not gettting very much sleep sadely i was so tired at the end of the day that i just rolled into bed. This is the first free medical camp done in this village and we could tell because there were so many pt and we could not help all of them we had to turn away so many people but there was one older lady we could not refuse our last case he family had abandoned her and she could not see to work and get around so we did her operation and she was able to see and function afterwards. The general surgery aso did well accomplishing 70 surgeries in4 days. This government hospital we worked in had only 30 beds and we had 150 some pt so where did we put them i dont even know God made it possible, 2 people in a bed on the floor anywhere we could put them. On the 13th we packed everything up and sadly had to tell so many people that we could not operate on them but come to the shimla hospital. Now becuase i was working so late and it was freezing from the snow plus the electrisity did not always work so my bath was not always warm so i got sick very sick. We traveled to Shillai are 2nd camp site an set up on the 14th., about 6 hrs farther south. We stoped at a river on the side of the road and a villgaer was fishing with a net and the baught some fish to eat that night and we took some good pictures. On the 15th we started operation but at this point i was so sick i could not assist the doctor so dennis and i switched places and i circulated giving them what they needed. we operated on 30 Pt till very late. and the next day we did the same 30 more pt. And of course this was the first time at this village as well so we had an over flow of pt again. The general operation did 65 in 3 days. Now this government hospital had even fewer beds only 20 so we had a surrounding hospital send us mattresses that they laid on the floor and doubled the pt up agian, it was an amazing site to see. We packed everything up on the 18th and traveled back to shimla a 10 hr bus drive on the 19th. We stoppedd along the way at a village and wathched how they make jagerty (brown sugar) they grind sugar cane into juice and than put them in three very hot vats and than spread it out to cool and than you have it. we ate the sugar cane off the stock and it was tasty and very good exercise for your teeth. Finally we reached back me sleep deprived but feeling accomplished slept for a day and than had to get ready for my trip to nepal. God blessed us greatly during these two camps all the glory goes to him.

holiday season

Hato peak


Eye team in jalandhar

Choir from NE adventist college

Pam, Me, Janet, Rita, Helena in Simla

I have been staying in the nurses hostel at the simla sanitarium for a week now. There are seven of us sharing three rooms that are rather small. The girls cook there own meals, wash there clothes by hand, take bucket baths. But as you can realize there is seven of us with one bathroom so its very hard to get into the bathroom and even harder to have hot water from the geezer. The girls are very nice all of them are from Monipor a north east state in india. They eat very different food than what I have been having in india, they have rice for every meal and no chopoti as well as put dried fish in every thing, so they always have to make me a small portion with out because it tastes and smells gross to me. On Christmas eve a singing group from the North East Adventist College in Selong came and sang for us it was amazing I was blown away, they sang beautiful. After their performance we had refreshments and I got to meet them and they were very nice. A couple of us from the hospital were invited by Mrs. Sunita to midnight mass at one of the local catholic churches so we got permission from Dr. Bazliel and went. Some was in Hindi, some was enlgish, and some was latin, I enjoyed myself. Christmas day Rita and I went to Mrs. Sunita house for lunch. And afterwards a couple of us girls went shopping at the market for the whole afternoon. I had a good Christmas but it was definitely different from my usual. I missed my family a lot and are traditions but when I come back it will make me cherish them even more. A second choir came they day after christmas to sing for us except on the complete opposite side of the country they are 2 hours from bangalor all the way in the south. One of the singers coincidently is another missionary from Andrews University we had contacted each other threw email before and it was exciting to actually meet him in person. They sang lovely as well but this choir ranged from 6 yrs old to 68 yrs old. A little girl sang she was so cute, it was all lovely. And after the program the hospital provided lunch it was delicious and I got to talk to steve as well as the rest of the choir. The director and her husband actually lived in the states for quite some time near Andrews university. I wore a sari for the first time this day and it was so much fun but im not use to it so I felt uncomfortable, I was scared it was going to fall down at any moment when I sat down of got up because its just folded on not fastened. Most people commented on how beautiful I looked in it and were glad that I tried there native clothing. On Sunday the choir, me, and a few other hospital workers traveled 2 ½ hrs to Hato Peak where we would be able to hike up and see snow because most of them have never seen snow because there from South India where it does not get to cold let alone snow. We left the hospital at 6 AM had breakfast in Narkanda and than started the hike up the huge mountain. We were a group of around 40 people so it took us 2 ½ to 3 hours to climb to the top. At the top it was gorgeous, there was a temple and when you stood at the top you could see snow caped mountains surrounding you all around. I felt bad because there was little snow at the top but it was more than they have ever seen so they were happy about it. I got to talk with steve on the walk up and it was really nice to talk with someone from home, knows exactly what your going through here. Your only aloud to be in india for 6 months at a time so we both need to leave and we decided to take the trip to Nepal together so now I wont have to go by myself I feel much safer now going with someone else and not alone I was nervous about that. Last night was New Years Eve I made brownies for the other girls and they devoured them I only got a little bit before it was gone, most of them have never had anything like it. Sadly india does not have a light up ball that counts down the time like in New York but I told them all about it and they just laughed. So we watched an Indian movie till midnight and wished everyone a happy new year. I found that I love Indian movies they are so sweet. I always have to have them translate a few things for me but you can pick up on most of what is happening. I started my duty at the hospital. We have 4 patients so there is not much to do but I am learning as much as a can. I have a lot of fun with the girls here.

eye camp, last day in jalandhar

Friends on bus trip i met


dilpreet killing me when i got my teeth out
The 21st we left Jalandhar at 5 AM for Rajpura, Himachal which was 2 ½ hrs away. The camp site was located in a beautiful temple. Where we meet the high priest, and all the people bow down and touch his feet with there head. They fed us delicious breakfast and gifted us all shawls. Because Im a foreigner they always treat me the best as well as stare at me the whole time im there. We started OPD doing BP, sugar test, vision, and tension. But than I sadly had to leave at noon, Surrith and I drove 21 kilometers to Kalka where I was going to pick up my bus to Simla. Because the road was in such bad condition, part of the road was not paved others were bumpy huge pot holes where your whole vehicle fit into while dodging the motorcycles and cows, it took us 1 ½ hrs to reach. The bus was just stopping for gas here in Kalka so I had to hurry and load all of my belongings into the bus storage but you always have to be careful because people just take your things here in India. There was one spot available all the way in the back God was looking out for me I was thankful for my one spot. I was sitting in the middle of two young couples that knew each other. We all started talking and they were very nice wanted to know everything about America, shared there food with me. There from Delhi all 20 yrs old in school except one just graduated and started working. They were coming to shimla for 1 day to sight see, 3 of them had never been up here so this was there first ex that knew each other. We all started talking and they were very nice wanted to know everything about America, shared there food with me. There from Delhi all 20 yrs old in school except one just graduated and started working. They were coming to shimla for 1 day to sight see, 3 of them had never been up here so this was there first experience on the curvy twisty roads and it did not settle with them so they were throwing up the whole trip I felt so bad. Of course they were all in secret doing this because there parents don’t allow them to date because they are to be arranged marriage but they all have hope that they can convince the parents other wise, I have great respect for these people who want to stand up for themselves no matter what the consequences are it’s a hard thing to go against your family here in india. When we reached simla there was a horde of taxi drivers wanting to drive me but someone from the hospital was going to pick me up. And you wont believe it because I was the last to get off the bus someone had taken my pillow and in side was Bob my stuffed monkey. Serves me right for not looking after my things properly. I don’t like traveling by myself in india because its not safe for a lone foreign female to travel alone so thankfully God put these four amazing people in my path for a reason, they stayed with me until lucky came and helped me with my four bags minus a pillow and stuffed monkey and we walked up to the hospital. Hopefully I will get to meet these people again during my travels of india.

church in jalandhar

Sabbath I went to church and my friend Dr. Denyl spoke, and there were 2 baby dedications they were so precious. Church did not end till after 2 so I was starving, thankfully Somalika and Guarav made me a delicious going away lunch of paneer (chesse/ tofu), aloo (potato), rice, egg curry, and khere (like rice pudding) this is my favorite food in india. Later that night I had to pack my bags im very much a procrastinator im leaving the next day very early and I leave my packing till the night before. I did not realize how much stuff I have acculamated since being in india, I only had 1/3 of my belongings with me in jalandhar but I packed 5 bags and this is obviously to much for me to handle when im traveling so I sadly and begrudgingly left a whole bag in jalandhar. It was very sad saying goodbye to everyone that I have become such close friends with these last 3 months but its time to move on, and I might come back in Febuary.

christmas program in Jalandhar

Friday the 12th the church choir put on a Christmas program. In india normal workers don’t know how to read notes so they just sing what they want its so funny. Kerry and Kevin the missionaries from South Korea are in the choir and they are the only ones singing the right note because they can read them its so funny. But you don’t even think about that because the choir sings with such passion it over shadows that. And of course they have an Indian accent so some of the words are pronounced differently, but they did an amazing job. They decorated the church fancy for Christmas and the females wore bright blue robes while the gentlemen wore dark suits, they all looked very sharp. Before you go into the church you have to take your shoes off in respect, so I did this as I usually do and than when you come out of the church its always clustered with people putting there shoes on, but this was a different night for me. I went out of the church to look for my Punjabi shoes (jotties) that I had just bought two weeks ago which was its own adventure because im foreign so all the shop keepers give me a more expensive price for everything. I had to go to 7 stores till I found a fair shop keeper to let me buy them for the normal price of 150 Rs. One store wanted me to pay 1500 Rs. can you believe the inflation. So you can see how much I had to go through to get these gorgeous jotties that I love and when I go out side to put them on you wont believe but they were not there. I was like where are they? Did one of my friends hide them? No, sadly someone I think by accident took mine instead of theirs because I waited there till everyone was gone and this pair of dirty, old, used jotties were left. Everyone could not believe that this happened they said this is the first time this has ever happened and they all felt so bad. So I waited till next week to see if the person the maybe by accident took them would bring them back when they realized they took the wrong ones in the dark. But sadly with no luck they were not brought back so I lost my jotties, all I hope is that the person that took them really needed them more than me. That same night Praven the business manager of the hospital invited all of the bachelors and spinsters over to his house for dinner after vespers. Now in the states spinster is a derogatory term, but in india it is not it means the same as bachelors just and unmarried woman nothing being wrong with it. So I had to clarify with Praven before I came about this, he thought it was funny. There was around ten of us there ranging from 19-33 plus one married man viraj which is older than us but did not want to be left out. We all had a good time eating delicious Indian food made by praven mom and socialized.

the fish market




Dilpreet & I sitting in her garden






This is what I have been up with since my last blog. I went to the fish market with mr and mrs Solomon, it was crazy. Rows and rows of fish sellers just sitting on the ground shouting for customers. It was a funny site to see plus it had a stench. You picked the fish you wanted right from the basin filled with water right in front of you on the ground. The seller would weight it for you and than take the scales off with this brush and cut it into pieces right there in front of you, while you are bargaining for a lower price. I have seen nothing like this before. And right around the corner there are dozens and dozens of people selling vegetables and live chickens and than when they hand it over they have cracked its neck and de-feathered it right in front of you on the scale. It was so funny this market was placed next to an old canal with instead of water piles of trash was stacked up.