Last night I went grocery shopping at Big Bazaar. It’s like Kmart meets Wal Mart meets…India. Think of Wal-Mart aisles and make them one third of the size, squeeze everything together, take away functional air conditioning, quadruple the number of people and BAM! You’ve got BB. It’s normally a madhouse. I really don’t even like going in the day time, and I have no idea what made me think it was a good idea to go on a Saturday night when there was a huge sale. Especially when I didn’t need anything, I was just helping a friend pick out spices.
It all started when I saw shelves full of milk. My friend and I literally squealed with delight. There has been a “milk shortage” lately. This basically means that the milk shelf is empty and employees make empty promises that milk will come “next week.” This is nowhere near as bad as the “onion crisis” of 2010 when onions about quadrupled in price (I think b/c of a natural disaster) and people were freaking out because they’re a staple in the diet here and suddenly a lot of people couldn’t afford them. It was a huge deal and all over the news here. Taking away onions is a couple steps behind taking away rice. One positive aspect of the milk shortage: I’ve discovered condensed milk here and how fantastic that is in my morning coffee, oatmeal, having a little right off the spoon…anyway, whatever. What is my life coming to that I'm excited when I see milk that isn't even good enough to drink by itself? I wasn't the only one either. Another friend bought twelve liters of it.
Our other friends were looking at saris. We made our way down there to find roughly 39247239 of our closest friends with us. “Are you not claustrophobic?” my friend asked. “Mmmm, not really,” I told her as I almost stepped on a small child with about four other people touching me. “This is pretty normal behavior for BB.”
Around this time we figured out where at least some of the noise was coming from. Employees were going around yelling about the sale into electronic megaphones, “FORTY FORTY FORTY PERCENT!!! FORTY PERCENT SALE HERE! TAKE THIS! FORTY FORTY FORTY! SALE SALE SALE! FORTY FORTY FORTY!” nonstop while wandering around the store and holding up various items in the store. Now I know it was their job to do this, but it was pretty obnoxious. There were only about 400 signs in the store on everything to indicate what was on sale. I don’t think anyone missed the memo. And if enough people weren’t crowding into every available space already, lets put employees with megaphones in the aisles too? Really?
Indians usually have an opinion and they’re usually not shy about sharing it with you, even if you are a total stranger. So I wasn’t shy either.
“Yes, we hear you! FORTY FORTY FORTY! FORTY PERCENT! We know! Sale sale sale!” I told the guy with the megaphone as we walked by him. He made eye contact and burst out laughing…into the electronic megaphone. Then all the people around me looked at both of us and laughed. Aaaaand mission accomplished. I love breaking the exterior and making people smile here.
Wal-Mart and Target are going to be so boring after this.
7.31.2011
7.30.2011
for to making sleepy
I enjoy getting to use my nursing knowledge in a variety of ways here. Most of the time it’s about diarrhea, vomiting, runny noses, rashes, dehydration, etc. But occasionally it’s buying (mildly) controlled substances that aren’t controlled here. The other day I walked into a pharmacy and bought Xanax for mere pennies. Not for myself, don’t worry. I’m not abusing the system (or rather, lack of one) that they have here. I just realized how many rules I’m used to when it comes to giving people medicines.
I walked into the pharmacy thinking, “Oh gosh, are they going to ask questions? Of course they are. Are they going to want a paper from a doctor saying I can have this? Does ANYONE come to this pharmacy empty handed and come out with benzos? Eeek.” I asked for the generic name and asked if they had it. They repeated the name a couple times, and the boss man told the other where it was. The boss man smiled at me knowingly and said, “Ah! For to making sleepy!” as the other guy was getting the pills. I laughed. “Yes, for relaxing and sleeping. But not for me.” I wondered if this gave the impression I was going to crunch up the pills and dose some unknowing soul to make THEM sleepy.
I’m a little self-conscious every time I see the Pharmacy Boss Man. I have had to buy some rather embarrassing medication more than once, sometimes for myself, sometimes not for myself from this man. Every time, he gives me this knowing smile, and I am mortified about the various things India can do to one’s body and that I have to indirectly admit this to an Indian man who knows absolutely nothing else about me. Oh well, that’s life here, I guess.
Even though there are some drawbacks to a free for all system when it comes to prescribing medication, I’m really going to miss it. It’s so nice to decide, “Enough already. I’m starting myself on Cipro.” Or usually I’m starting other people on Cipro, Flagyl, Tinidazole, Amoxicillin, etc.
The other night after teaching English in the slum, we noticed a boatload of people crammed into a house right across from the classroom. We didn’t have to wait long to find out what was going on. Indians love to share (I love this about them!) and pretty soon we had the whole scoop, minus some cultural misunderstandings. By this I mean we were told this guy’s diagnosis was “water on the spine.” What does that even mean? We all technically have “water” (CSF) on the spine, without it we’d be dead. That’s not a diagnosis. His current complaint was that he was suffering from "suffocation problem."
We were promptly ushered in. After some assessment, I concluded this guy was having a full on panic attack and not true difficulty breathing related to a respiratory issue. I understood a little more about the panic attack as there were around 30 people clustered into the room and immediately outside the door. It was a warm evening and the one room house was sweltering with all the people and lack of moving air. When Indians are sick, people cluster around. It doesn’t matter what they’ve got going on, they’re not going to be alone even if it’s a nasty bout of food poisoning. Why would you want to be alone when you could be with other people?! We prayed with him and promised to come back the next day. I came back armed with Xanax (and brownies) just in case, because if he was still in panic mode even intermittently, he was going to need something.
When we returned, he was much better. No more panicking. And they forked over his medical records which let me see that he did not have meningitis as I was semi-suspecting, but is instead being treated for TB. (Not sure if he’s really got it as the medical records didn’t confirm it. He wasn’t coughing but oddly had basically every other symptom). Excellent. And now us and the rest of the neighborhood have likely been exposed to that lovely mess. Not the first time or the last time that’s going to happen, I suppose. Good thing getting a Mantoux test was already pretty high up on my priority list upon returning to America. This is just confirmation that it needs to stay there.
I walked into the pharmacy thinking, “Oh gosh, are they going to ask questions? Of course they are. Are they going to want a paper from a doctor saying I can have this? Does ANYONE come to this pharmacy empty handed and come out with benzos? Eeek.” I asked for the generic name and asked if they had it. They repeated the name a couple times, and the boss man told the other where it was. The boss man smiled at me knowingly and said, “Ah! For to making sleepy!” as the other guy was getting the pills. I laughed. “Yes, for relaxing and sleeping. But not for me.” I wondered if this gave the impression I was going to crunch up the pills and dose some unknowing soul to make THEM sleepy.
I’m a little self-conscious every time I see the Pharmacy Boss Man. I have had to buy some rather embarrassing medication more than once, sometimes for myself, sometimes not for myself from this man. Every time, he gives me this knowing smile, and I am mortified about the various things India can do to one’s body and that I have to indirectly admit this to an Indian man who knows absolutely nothing else about me. Oh well, that’s life here, I guess.
Even though there are some drawbacks to a free for all system when it comes to prescribing medication, I’m really going to miss it. It’s so nice to decide, “Enough already. I’m starting myself on Cipro.” Or usually I’m starting other people on Cipro, Flagyl, Tinidazole, Amoxicillin, etc.
The other night after teaching English in the slum, we noticed a boatload of people crammed into a house right across from the classroom. We didn’t have to wait long to find out what was going on. Indians love to share (I love this about them!) and pretty soon we had the whole scoop, minus some cultural misunderstandings. By this I mean we were told this guy’s diagnosis was “water on the spine.” What does that even mean? We all technically have “water” (CSF) on the spine, without it we’d be dead. That’s not a diagnosis. His current complaint was that he was suffering from "suffocation problem."
We were promptly ushered in. After some assessment, I concluded this guy was having a full on panic attack and not true difficulty breathing related to a respiratory issue. I understood a little more about the panic attack as there were around 30 people clustered into the room and immediately outside the door. It was a warm evening and the one room house was sweltering with all the people and lack of moving air. When Indians are sick, people cluster around. It doesn’t matter what they’ve got going on, they’re not going to be alone even if it’s a nasty bout of food poisoning. Why would you want to be alone when you could be with other people?! We prayed with him and promised to come back the next day. I came back armed with Xanax (and brownies) just in case, because if he was still in panic mode even intermittently, he was going to need something.
When we returned, he was much better. No more panicking. And they forked over his medical records which let me see that he did not have meningitis as I was semi-suspecting, but is instead being treated for TB. (Not sure if he’s really got it as the medical records didn’t confirm it. He wasn’t coughing but oddly had basically every other symptom). Excellent. And now us and the rest of the neighborhood have likely been exposed to that lovely mess. Not the first time or the last time that’s going to happen, I suppose. Good thing getting a Mantoux test was already pretty high up on my priority list upon returning to America. This is just confirmation that it needs to stay there.
7.27.2011
sunday
Last Sunday was quite possibly my favorite Sunday in India. I do not enjoy getting around quickly in the mornings after immediately waking up. Church usually starts at 9:30 for us. That seems so much earlier here than it did in America. Getting there on time doesn't happen for us so often, which is unfortunate as it is the one thing we are committed to in this country that actually starts on time. But last week the service was scheduled to start at 4:00 in a different part of the city so that people could be baptized. This created the perfect opportunity to have brunch with friends at an old, fun confectionary on a main street downtown. We ended up eating "brunch" at around 1pm, but this is India, so I'm not sure why I expected anything different.
Our waiter was a friendly fellow. He was a bit sour at first but we all softened him right up. Our conversation went something like this:
Us: "Is there ham or bacon on this sandwich?"
Waiter: "Ham is there."
Us: "Ok, is cheese there?"
Waiter: "For extra charge, cheese is there."
Us: "Ok, can cheese be there? I want cheese there."
Us: "Is water here?"
Waiter: "Yes, water is coming."
Before we knew it, he was winking and blinking at us like there was no tomorrow. Sometimes people blink as a sign of affirmation or meaning yes here. I think we tend to do it with the head bobble or what we affectionately call "the tick." Instead of shaking your head yes, people here tend to bend their head to the side to mean yes, and the longer I'm here the more I pick it up and do it without noticing.
Anyway, here's our friendly little waiter. When he saw this picture he said, "Oh, looking good!" about himself.
Here's where we ate:
Then onward to one of my favorite bookstores that was having a huge sale.
Then we saw almost 30 people get baptized during the church service. Loved this! After that, we threw around a frisbee! And ran barefoot in the grass! And did cartwheels. I can’t remember the last time I felt soft, delicious, beautiful green grass under my feet. It was fantastic.
Then we had more food (ice cream included), more laughs, and I got to catch up with my family via skype. All in all, an excellent way to spend a Sunday.
Our waiter was a friendly fellow. He was a bit sour at first but we all softened him right up. Our conversation went something like this:
Us: "Is there ham or bacon on this sandwich?"
Waiter: "Ham is there."
Us: "Ok, is cheese there?"
Waiter: "For extra charge, cheese is there."
Us: "Ok, can cheese be there? I want cheese there."
Us: "Is water here?"
Waiter: "Yes, water is coming."
Before we knew it, he was winking and blinking at us like there was no tomorrow. Sometimes people blink as a sign of affirmation or meaning yes here. I think we tend to do it with the head bobble or what we affectionately call "the tick." Instead of shaking your head yes, people here tend to bend their head to the side to mean yes, and the longer I'm here the more I pick it up and do it without noticing.
Anyway, here's our friendly little waiter. When he saw this picture he said, "Oh, looking good!" about himself.
Here's where we ate:
Then onward to one of my favorite bookstores that was having a huge sale.
Then we saw almost 30 people get baptized during the church service. Loved this! After that, we threw around a frisbee! And ran barefoot in the grass! And did cartwheels. I can’t remember the last time I felt soft, delicious, beautiful green grass under my feet. It was fantastic.
Then we had more food (ice cream included), more laughs, and I got to catch up with my family via skype. All in all, an excellent way to spend a Sunday.
7.16.2011
i'm not sure time is on my side
now it seems strange to me that i was actually WITH my family almost two months ago. we were in the same room, going places together, could reach out and touch each other. TWO whole months ago! i feel like time is continually speeding up and i have no control over it and can't seem to slow it down. vacation already seems like a long time ago, but six months from now when it will be time to go back to america is looming and some days it seems like it will come as quickly as next week. (the only reason i say looming is because i have no idea what i will do with my life upon returning to the motherland. i can't wait to see my family again).
anyway, i'm getting away from the reason i started this post, which wasn't to make you think, "mmm, no, i'm pretty sure time is going by at the same speed for all of us." if you read this blog, don't have facebook, and wanted to see pictures, here they are.
istanbul
rome
cinque terre
anyway, i'm getting away from the reason i started this post, which wasn't to make you think, "mmm, no, i'm pretty sure time is going by at the same speed for all of us." if you read this blog, don't have facebook, and wanted to see pictures, here they are.
istanbul
rome
cinque terre
7.13.2011
better late than never
Even though I didn't blog about it in a timely manner, I did celebrate America's birthday this year. The last few days I have been woken up at 6am by cherry bombs going off in the street due to some Muslim festival happening here. Apparently fireworks are a universal necessity when celebrating, and those Muslims like to celebrate early. I like that being 8000 something miles away didn't stop us from eating (a given) and being thankful for our country no matter where we currently live. And in the land of perpetual festivals where any day can be a holiday, July 4 didn't feel like any less of one. Well, except maybe for the fact that I went to Hindi class after I ate that burger (real beef! seriously delicious)!
Last year I ate pizza and apple pie in Varanasi and we shot off fireworks on the Ganges. The Indians were quite intrigued by the large group of foreigners putting on their own fireworks show and they LOVED the sparklers. So we shared some with them. We also learned that it's probably not a good idea to give Indians fire without some general guidelines. Lessons like "don't throw that thing down while it's still lit" and "don't attempt to hit people with a sparkler or throw them at each other" became very important.
This year, we squeezed into a friend's flat with 15-20 other Americans, read the Declaration of Independence, and split up into teams to take the US citizenship test and see who would win (I apparently celebrated with a bunch of geeks this year). If you can just manage to be born in the States and acquire citizenship that way...well, that appears to be the way to go. It was a little embarrassing and humbling to realize how much I've learned and then forgotten about the workings of the American government. Next year I will be glad when my passport is stamped and I hear, "Welcome home," and not, "Welcome to America. How often do we elect senators? Do you really even know what a senator does?" Oy. (Yes, I'm aware that's not really how it's done).
So that was how I celebrated America's birthday this year. Next year, I have every intention of seeing fireworks, eating some ridiculous fried food that only an American could think of eating, and celebrating my brother's 23rd birthday (how is he going to be that old already?!) all on American soil...inshallah.
Last year I ate pizza and apple pie in Varanasi and we shot off fireworks on the Ganges. The Indians were quite intrigued by the large group of foreigners putting on their own fireworks show and they LOVED the sparklers. So we shared some with them. We also learned that it's probably not a good idea to give Indians fire without some general guidelines. Lessons like "don't throw that thing down while it's still lit" and "don't attempt to hit people with a sparkler or throw them at each other" became very important.
This year, we squeezed into a friend's flat with 15-20 other Americans, read the Declaration of Independence, and split up into teams to take the US citizenship test and see who would win (I apparently celebrated with a bunch of geeks this year). If you can just manage to be born in the States and acquire citizenship that way...well, that appears to be the way to go. It was a little embarrassing and humbling to realize how much I've learned and then forgotten about the workings of the American government. Next year I will be glad when my passport is stamped and I hear, "Welcome home," and not, "Welcome to America. How often do we elect senators? Do you really even know what a senator does?" Oy. (Yes, I'm aware that's not really how it's done).
So that was how I celebrated America's birthday this year. Next year, I have every intention of seeing fireworks, eating some ridiculous fried food that only an American could think of eating, and celebrating my brother's 23rd birthday (how is he going to be that old already?!) all on American soil...inshallah.
7.10.2011
ghetto fabulous
i run into all kinds of problems here that never occurred to me could happen. like the other day when my wallet decided to eat my debit card and all my cash. for several weeks, my wallet had been a little...finicky, i guess. the latch on it that keeps it closed was starting to not be so cooperative and it was getting difficult to open and close it. but whatever, i have other things to think about.
then the wallet called it quits and i didn't have access to anything inside it. i tried for a couple days to open it to no avail. so i took matters into my own hands and performed emergency surgery with some large scissors.
i kept it closed with a ponytail holder and continued to carry it around for about a week. i do like to keep it classy around here.
movin' on up.
i promise to post more exciting pictures on here that aren't of wallets soon....ish.
then the wallet called it quits and i didn't have access to anything inside it. i tried for a couple days to open it to no avail. so i took matters into my own hands and performed emergency surgery with some large scissors.
i kept it closed with a ponytail holder and continued to carry it around for about a week. i do like to keep it classy around here.
movin' on up.
i promise to post more exciting pictures on here that aren't of wallets soon....ish.
7.09.2011
update
Thanks for praying. D is still in the hospital here and in critical condition. Since I don't have firsthand info to give you, I'll refer you to the facebook page "Pray for David" that is being updated by his family.
If you don't have fb, then know that he should be med evac'd out of here back to the states sometime this weekend (Lord willing). His other ankle is not shattered as previously thought (or has been healed as a miraculous answer to prayer).
Pray for pain management, paperwork for hospital/insurance to go through quickly to get him back home ASAP, infection, and for another of his family members who has gotten sick since being in India and had to be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids.
If you don't have fb, then know that he should be med evac'd out of here back to the states sometime this weekend (Lord willing). His other ankle is not shattered as previously thought (or has been healed as a miraculous answer to prayer).
Pray for pain management, paperwork for hospital/insurance to go through quickly to get him back home ASAP, infection, and for another of his family members who has gotten sick since being in India and had to be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids.
7.02.2011
urgent. please pray.
Within the last few days a volunteer visiting this city was in a horrific accident and critically injured. I have never met this person and don't have many details. It was a train accident, and he got caught under it and dragged down the tracks. He has lost one leg, another ankle is shattered, and he has a puncture injury from a rail/post. He is in his 20s.
Please pray:
-for stable vital signs, no more blood loss, and effective pain medication
-that God would give D comfort, peace, and hope in him as his life changed in a matter of seconds and he is beginning to process everything
-his family is traveling from the states to be with him now. they arrive tomorrow. pray for peace and safety for them as they are traveling and D as he is separated from them now
-protection against infection
-wisdom and discernment for all the hospital staff treating him here and decisions being made where future treatment will happen
When I heard the news I felt so burdened for him. I wanted to do something, help tangibly. There are people helping him and he is being taken care of. The best way I can care for him is to pray. Please pray with me.
Please pray:
-for stable vital signs, no more blood loss, and effective pain medication
-that God would give D comfort, peace, and hope in him as his life changed in a matter of seconds and he is beginning to process everything
-his family is traveling from the states to be with him now. they arrive tomorrow. pray for peace and safety for them as they are traveling and D as he is separated from them now
-protection against infection
-wisdom and discernment for all the hospital staff treating him here and decisions being made where future treatment will happen
When I heard the news I felt so burdened for him. I wanted to do something, help tangibly. There are people helping him and he is being taken care of. The best way I can care for him is to pray. Please pray with me.
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