Hunt and Chase!

December 28, Day 11: Second Day of Camp!!

We started off in Mahadevabura, a county in Bangalore for the 2^nd day of camp. We held it this time in a building next to a long dirt road that was semi-rural like the first day. We had a hard time figuring out how we were going to arrange each station, lines, crowd control, and where each person would be stationed at. The building was quite dim inside. My job today was being the middle man between the doctors and Dr. Padma. We had to round up surgery patients so we can get an ambulance to take them to MediHope, Aircity Hospital, or the Lion’s Club hospital. All 9 patients I was able to get to send to the hospitals went to MediHope.

 I got to interact with Dr. Nanda and Dr. Janaki from MediHope to arrange the transportation to MediHope. It would take so long to round up 4 patients, so the patients you do get in the beginning had to wait almost hours because there are 4 patients qualified for surgeries. I was surprisingly comfortable with some of the really serious businessmen of the Lions Club because they were laughing at me for being so paranoid with the patients whereabouts, making sure they don’t leave and worrying when the ambulance was going to come! I even had to walk outside a few times looking for a couple lost patients that just couldn't wait! I tried to hung them down, but it was impossible once they stepped out. There were so many people outside and they all stare at you when you come out too. However, I ended having a total of 9 patients I sent to MediHope that needed neurologist, urologist, surgeon consultations, or surgeries of the varicose veins, papilloma excision, etc. 

During the camp, one of the doctors was using a medical term I didn’t know so I had to ask for clarification. The whole time she thought we were medical students already, but the term was micturition, a urinary condition. Other than those times I was chasing down patients or hunting down the ambulance driver, I was helping direct patients who were mostly very friendly. People were very thankful for the help they received so they stay to receive all the check-ups and stations available to them. 

The happiness of all the doctors and nurses, their eagerness to serve the community, and the fact that they don’t complain or treat patients badly even after 6 hours of tending to endless patients, makes me remember why I want to be a doctor. 

It was amazing to see the doctors and surgeon's ability to diagnose the patients after just a few questions! Their medical knowledge was so spot on,  it gave me motivation to work harder to be able to get to the same level and help others with that knowledge. It was important to be observant, especially today. 

After camp, we had a fresh coconut from the roadside they break for you, and ate the flesh inside that was delicious! Akash, Kim, Arveen, and I squished in the backseat meant for two people and it was so uncomfortable but man we’ve gotten so close this trip! After hours of deciding where to eat and how to order, we finally were able to get pizza hut at 9pm! We ended the day with Dr. Shah telling us all his passport visa horror stories for almost an hour so he and his fiancée saw me slowly falling asleep...oops, way too exhausted from camp!

Let the Camp Begin!

December 27, Day 10: First Day of Camp!

We woke up around 8 today and had breakfast before we set out for our first campsite around the White Fields of Bangalore. It was a semi-rural area, lot dirtier and dustier than the central city area where our hotel is situated.We set up camp under a big shaded building so it wasn't hot and the patients weren't in the heat either! Food was provided to the people and we tended about 343 people today!!! Amazing! Services we offered at the camp were basic height weight, blood pressure, and hemoglobin check ups. They were then able to be examined by doctors to talk about their health issues and a pharmacy that provided useful medicines and pain relief. 

We had a team of doctors from MediHope, a local hospital and our own from America (Dr. Shah, Dr. Parekh), and one local Indian surgeon Dr. Padma. Kim and I were in charge of the height and weight station in which the people came to see first, Arveen and Akash did hemoglobin/blood pressure, while Curtis and Daryl went to see surgeries at MediHope. They saw a fallopian tube tying, which is done so a woman cannot get pregnant anymore.

 Kim and I had a really good time, even though we had to suffer the smells of people, coughing, people starting to suffocate us by not giving us space, and ills. However, we loved getting to hold the cute babies, smiling at everyone, and surprising random people by saying Nemastay to them! It was a sight to see those who couldn't believe how heavy they were oh dear. It was amazing how efficient we were even without communication issues, this was because we relied heavily on universal communication: hand motions, facial expressions, and body language. 

Dr. Shah also showed us how to do blood pressure, being over 140 for cystolic, over 90 for dystolic, are bad signs. After camp, we chilled out for a bit before going out to Taco bell for dinner. We visited the supermarket really quick for nail clippers then had a talk with Dr. Shah. Dr. Shah had us talk about long-term goals and short-term goals. Firstly, Lion Club wasn’t very happy that we’re here at this time because it’s in between the holidays, so we discussed future dates like the beginning of winter break and end of Aug/early Sept. Also, the problems from the first day was that the lines were disorganized, slippers were being lost at the height and weight station, and the hemoglobin station should be put at the end so that they can be easily be referred back to the doctor when the level is less than 10. However, it still ended well but we won't see surgeries tomorrow so we’re really hoping we can observe some the last day on the 29^th. 

So You Want to be a Doctor?

December 26, Day 9: Day after Christmas, Cancelled first day of camp!

 We were supposed to start camp today but there was some miscommunication and the Lion's Club (the association we partner with for the camp) were busy with another event at the same time. Our doctors, including Dr. Shah and all of us were pretty disappointed with the lack of communication and organization, but it was a lesson not everything goes the way we want it to in these situations. However we had breakfast in the morning where we met Dr. Shah, his fiancé, and Dr. Parekh.

Today we tried to take a public bus to go Go Karting, but it took so long, more than an hour, that we ended up taking rickshaws. We saw some cows crossing the street, and all the cars must make way for them! Go Karting was fun as well even if I did come in last and did a lap by myself after hahah! To my defense, I got stopped twice by the people for stepping on acceleration and brakes at the same time, then my bag was flying out of the kart. Afterwards, we chilled for a bit in our hotel room before we listened to a presentation by Dr. Shah about anesthesiology! It was pretty interesting although he didn’t want to be a doctor initially.He wanted us to make sure WE KNEW why we want to be a doctor and that we better have a good reason for it. So many people can try to go into the doctor business without thinking it through clearly and not knowing it isn't their true passion. It takes commitment, the right mind, and heart for the job. I won’t forget what he said about experiencing the death of a patient on your table, about how it opens your eyes and makes what you do a reality, so be ready for it. It’s a lot about your attitude and knowing what area you want to specialize in as well. 

After that shortly, we went out for dinner at a very fancy Indian restaurant we had to drive to, and then we met Dr. Padma and her grandson Samat. Dr. Padma is a surgeon from Bangalore who will be assisting us at the camp. Arveen, Kim, and I shared a Biryani Rice, Delhi Papdi Chaat (like Gol Gappay), and a Penne Arabiatta (Spicy Italian pasta). They were all delicious, including our lassi. Best of all though, was this crazy cool dessert brownie sundae we all shared! It was a brownie with ice cream on top and then the waiter pours fudge over it onto a hot plate where it sizzled into a sticky honey like substance which was delicious!!! Phew what a mouthful!

Christmas Eve, then Shub Krismas from Bangalore!!

December 24, Day 7: Bangalore Arrival and Christmas Eve

 Can you believe Kim and I didn’t sleep until about 3:20am probably and we had to get up at 4am to catch our domestic flight to Bangalore on SpiceJet Airlines? We were hoping so badly that our flight would be cancelled and we’d have to stay in Delhi for Christmas and Christmas Eve. However, the fog got so bad that our flight really did get cancelled but only until 12:15pm that day. Basically, we drove back to ThaiG’s house, we ran and jumped into bed until 10am. We had one more spicy breakfast corn maki that still managed to upset my stomach a little even though I shared with Kim. We used butter on it and ate bananas too. Well we eventually said our goodbyes and then ended up standing in a line for a long time to catch our delayed flight at 1:15pm. We had to wait to catch the coaches to our actual plane. 

After the long flight, we reached Bangalore and it was sunny! It was actually quite warm but a nice warm with the sun shining bright and mostly clear skies/air. We had to wait a while because the two hotel people who were supposed to pick us up did not even try to find us or something until we finally got to them! 





Our ride was about an hour and an half from the airport and Bangalore looked amazing like we weren’t even in India! It’s the Silicon Valley of India supposedly which looked like it. It wasn’t until we got further into the city where we saw poor areas, crowded places, and just dirt everywhere. It smells quite bad as well.

We checked in into our 16 Squares Hotel and it’s not bad! The wifi isn’t bad, the shower is good, and the room is pretty fancy! Ending with a random observation, there are a lot of toll roads and checkpoints here to stop suspicious people. 

December 25, Day 8: Christmas in Bangalore!

(SHRUB KRISMAS or MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Today, we got up early to get breakfast which was toast and butter really. We’re not really supposed to eat the fruits or drink the milk, dairy is risky here. Akash, Kim, and I played Christmas songs and just hung out in the room for a while (watched bits of Up and Transformers and music videos). After that, we all minus Arveen and Siva, went to explore the area a bit by going to the grocery store and department store. We helped Akash pick out a pair of nice shoes and got snacks for our Christmas stay in later that night. 

We went to pizza hut for lunch and the service was so amazing! It’s a lot cheaper to get drinks and things so most of us got mocktails and the spicy veggie pizza was really good! You get to ring a bell afterwards to say if you enjoyed yourself at pizza hut. I rang it and almost didn’t know how until the lady helped me, so embarrassing! 

Our hotel was right next to a little water canal that looked more like a sewage area...you can imagine the stink.

The streets outside are really cobbly and the area is just quite smelly L We returned back to our rooms to chill out for a bit before going out with Arveen and Siva to Forum Mall. We took Rickshaws (little Indian taxis) there and back which was really exciting! Three little children wanted to shake my hand and wish me a Merry Christmas like I was a celebrity or something before the ride! They were so adorable and friendly. 

At the forum mall, we got ice cream in waffle cone and then we ran to the crowd that was being entertained by something. It ended up being some crowd game and Akash got the right answer so we all went to the front to talk to the guy in charge. In front of everyone, he wanted us to sing a Christmas carol so I had to take the mike to sing The Christmas Song, or just part of it. Kim and Siva sang a little but so softly! It was terrifying but it got us all stamps for Christmas activities indoors which we also didn’t do! 

We did play a bit in the Apple store with their photobooth :)

Later, we went to Chutney Noodles for dinner and had Indian food. They served us so well like the Pizza hut people, they wait on you to serve you food. 

We came back to watch the Michael Bublé

Christmas special which was amazing but so short! Overall, it was a nice Christmas in India. 

Can I Get a Double Dose of Delhi?

December 22, Day 5: Delhi day trip

In the morning, we watched part of an Indian film on tv about young school boys saving stray dogs and doing an underwear protest which really funny! We ate something similar to dosas this morning, a spicy potato pancake with yogurt. Breaking news today in Delhi, a woman was gang raped on a public bus and her boyfriend beaten while everyone on the bus did nothing! There were huge riots over Delhi protesting this big tragedy. 

A Riot heading our way!

Thought this was funny because Delhi traffic and driving is everything that is RASH. 

First, we went to the Baha’i Lotus Temple which was beautiful! Before we went in, we saw a man giving another man a tattoo on the side of the street -______- terrifying. At the temple, we had to take off our shoes, and Dilpreet dropped our shoe key into a crack in the floor which Daryl had to lay on the floor to pick up which everyone stared in amusement passing by. Young school girls and others looked at Kim and I like we were celebrities because they rarely see Chinese people!! It was such a cool experience and interesting!! We also saw a lot of men wearing glitter vests which seems to be a fashion trend! I saw one of the first people who didn’t cover their legs in India, who seemed like an asian female tourist, didn't seem to feel out of place in such a modest country! We had to stand in a long endless queue until we could go inside the Lotus temple. We had to be completely silent out of reverence for those in prayer. 

 Soon after, we drove to the handicraft markets where we had lassi and tried Indian ice cream. It was something similar to cold vermicelli noodles on top of some ice cream. I didn’t like it…we had to pay for public toilet use here too! We also bought some scarves here.

  
Afterwards, we drove in the crazy traffic again to The Ambience Mall again for bowling!! So much fun, it was such a trendy bowling place, very upscale and full of young people, neon lights and good club music! They had a bar too but we didn’t drink. The first game I got 72 and the second 100, 2^nd place!!! Akash was really good, and it was just a lot of fun with everyone. After we ate pizza and we could not finish the mushroom one. We even tried a chocolate banana crepe and were stuffed to the brim! 

December 23^rd, Day 6: Another Delhi Day

This morning is our first late morning and we left the house around 11am. First, we stopped by the Sikh temple which was a very cool experience for all of us. First, we had to wear our scarves around our heads because everyone needs to cover their heads, guys and girls. They provide some little head bandanas for people who didn’t bring anything. Arveen seriously looked like Princess Jasmine in the marketplace from Aladdin! 

Exciting things at this temple: we had to be barefoot before we went in, there was a big lake of pure water that you can wash your feet in or people bathe in (separate area for women). We ate this oily rice pudding substance when we entered the temple area. Apparently they give out free food to people but we didn’t get it since it’s bad to waste food if we can’t finish it there. Inside the shrine area, we give money and bow at the holy scriptures. It's made of gold inside and there were lots of people praying and sitting on the floors. 

After, we went to Jaipur market after battling traffic and haggled for a bunch of souvenirs. We tried this mixed fruit juice, but it’s never just what you think it is here, it was definitely mixed with a bunch of spices. We made a stop next to get food and we tried Indian McDonalds! It was really similar to American McDs.

 But get this, there were people advertising a new place and to my flabbergasted self, it was for BUBBLE TEA (BOBA)! It was a cute place called Chatime and the people were so friendly working there and they were all male for some reason which was peculiar! It was Dilpreet’s first time having boba but he didn’t really like it, he preferred the milk tea over his passionfruit green tea boba. They had so many good choices the place was amazing. I got my regular jasmine green milk tea and it was so good. Since it was new in India, they had this visitor book for people to sign and they were so excited to have us sign it. 

We watched Life of Pi at 8:35pm and it was so so good. Since we still had so much time to kill, Kim and Akash got massages/facials for an hour while the rest of us waited. Arveen and I treated Kim’s glowing facial for her 21^st BIRTHDAY because it was that today! It was greaaaaat. Going to Bangalore tomorrow at 5 in the morning -_- kill us now and it’s 2:45am as I blog.