continuing the story...
So I only have about 15 minutes here before I have to get going to go to night clinic, so I'll write as much as I can...
So after I saw the Gateway of India, which was a monument very similar to the arch of triumph in Paris - but maybe bigger? and it's right on the port, I went to the Taj Mahal Hotel, which is beautiful (I have pictures). I stopped into the tailor there and had them appraise the scarf - they said it was a fair price especially since the area of Mumbai I was in is an expensive area. I ended up finding some hand-embroidered material from Bangladore that I fell in love with, so they quickly took my measurements and rushed it off to a small sewing factory (~5 people). I went and got my nails done, then had afternoon tea and in less than 2 hours, they had a gorgeous salweer kameez ready for me.
The afternoon tea was nice - had a table with a view of the arch and the water, it's served buffet style with the typical english fare and lots of yummy indian appetizers and desserts also. I had my first cup of chai in india - yum. I also tried Pani Puri for the first time - a strange experience, but it was good. Service is amazing in India - I was telling Josh on the phone that I felt like Bill Murray's character in Lost in Translation at that hotel with everyone making sure I was enjoying my stay, etc. At a restaurant, the entire staff works to make sure you are happy.
Well, I have to go soon - so I'll continue the journal in consecutive order later.
For now, let's see - the night clinic is incredible - the size of a walk-in closet, with patients coming in on a revolving-door basis - I've seen Malaria, scabies, measles, typhoid, severe anemia due to bleeding during home birth, TB, swollen groin lymphs, etc. The doctor looks like Benicio del Toro - ha ha! He's a very warm doctor who makes his patients smile even though they are so sick. He has 2 assistants - one is the pharmicist in this tiny make-shift pharmacy, who are also good-humored. The clinic is in a slum, but it's a very rich community - it is very cool to have the opportunity to be there. Every place in Mumbai has been filled slums so for except for the touristy, businessy area in S. Mumbai.
Tonight, we are planning to go out and eat and drink for the first time - should be fun. We're going to the place where the Bollywood stars hang out. I'll write more later.
I've had so many incredible experiences. I cried with an in-patient AIDS patient today, I saw infectious and advanced cases of Leprosy yesterday, and the culture shock being in the real mumbai is indescribable...
miss you all - I'll write again soon and post some pictures
So after I saw the Gateway of India, which was a monument very similar to the arch of triumph in Paris - but maybe bigger? and it's right on the port, I went to the Taj Mahal Hotel, which is beautiful (I have pictures). I stopped into the tailor there and had them appraise the scarf - they said it was a fair price especially since the area of Mumbai I was in is an expensive area. I ended up finding some hand-embroidered material from Bangladore that I fell in love with, so they quickly took my measurements and rushed it off to a small sewing factory (~5 people). I went and got my nails done, then had afternoon tea and in less than 2 hours, they had a gorgeous salweer kameez ready for me.
The afternoon tea was nice - had a table with a view of the arch and the water, it's served buffet style with the typical english fare and lots of yummy indian appetizers and desserts also. I had my first cup of chai in india - yum. I also tried Pani Puri for the first time - a strange experience, but it was good. Service is amazing in India - I was telling Josh on the phone that I felt like Bill Murray's character in Lost in Translation at that hotel with everyone making sure I was enjoying my stay, etc. At a restaurant, the entire staff works to make sure you are happy.
Well, I have to go soon - so I'll continue the journal in consecutive order later.
For now, let's see - the night clinic is incredible - the size of a walk-in closet, with patients coming in on a revolving-door basis - I've seen Malaria, scabies, measles, typhoid, severe anemia due to bleeding during home birth, TB, swollen groin lymphs, etc. The doctor looks like Benicio del Toro - ha ha! He's a very warm doctor who makes his patients smile even though they are so sick. He has 2 assistants - one is the pharmicist in this tiny make-shift pharmacy, who are also good-humored. The clinic is in a slum, but it's a very rich community - it is very cool to have the opportunity to be there. Every place in Mumbai has been filled slums so for except for the touristy, businessy area in S. Mumbai.
Tonight, we are planning to go out and eat and drink for the first time - should be fun. We're going to the place where the Bollywood stars hang out. I'll write more later.
I've had so many incredible experiences. I cried with an in-patient AIDS patient today, I saw infectious and advanced cases of Leprosy yesterday, and the culture shock being in the real mumbai is indescribable...
miss you all - I'll write again soon and post some pictures
posted by mavis | 9:07 PM
1 Comments:
i know it's sappy, but i have to say: you are such an inspiring person! i'm knocked out over what you've already gone through as well at the work you are beginning via your internship. i'm sure the experience (will be/is in the process of being/has already been) a life changing one. and of course you'll have to model your new outfit for jose and me when we sit down for our welcome-home mahjongg tournament!
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