List of reasons how locals know I'm not from India

1- I use a spoon at all meals not my hands
2- I don't enjoy spicy food (horrible GERD/reflux)
3- I say Thank You way too much
4- My ears perk up when I hear the word alcohol (Gujarat is a dry state)
5- I don't speak Hindi only understand very little
6- I drink bottled water
7- I don't argue about the price of items however, I've started
8- I stand in line and don't push my way forward
9- I don't eat 5 rotis per meal and take naps after lunch
10 - I cant sit Indian style, palati, criss cross apple sauce whatever you want to call it.

Continuation of Girl Power

Yesterday after dinner I met up with the girls from the blind camp. We sat around in a circle and just talked about girl stuff. They asked me several questions about America. They were so curious to hear about what I ate, what kind of music I listened to. One girl asked if we listen to English music during Navrathri (which is a religious holiday). I told her "No, we listen to the same music you do". She was shocked to hear this. They talked about what Bollywood actors they liked and what they liked to shop for. It's was so amazing to listen to these girls who have never seen anything yet had such vivid thoughts. Tonight they have a music recital which I'm going to go to.

No weekend for me.. people work on Saturday too. I'm headed to a village in a bit with a social worker.

Very psyched about Obama's win. So are the people of India

ps I miss cheese!

- Margee

Girl Power

The last two days have been busy and filled with new and exciting programs. Yesterday I was out in the field. We took a mobile hospital out to a village. Village is an understatement. I can't imagine how these people live. We saw several patients including pregnant woman. I went into one woman's house (which was made of cow dung and mud). She was into her last month of pregnancy. I asked her a couple of questions and she would laugh but no answer. I asked her why she kept laughing, she answered, "I've never had anyone from the United States in my house". Her and her family were very sweet, they offered for me to stay for dinner. I mean this is a family that lives in very minimum wages that offered me dinner. I was very humbled. We diagnosed many patients with possible TB or malaria without taking any cultures or blood samples.

Today I was mostly with this women empowerment group. They invited several blind girls from for 4 days. They learned several things such as self defense, women's anatomy, and hygiene. I even taught a self defense portion in Gujarati which was challenging. I think I got my point across. Many of these girls have never left their parents so being alone was a big deal. They were a very enthusiastic group. Overall, the people who've I met have been so humble and welcoming.

Day 1...

Wow... what a day. I don't even know where to begin. I had orientation pretty much all day. I meet several physicians, nurses, trustees and staff. The campus is amazing. My apartment is across the hospital. I sat in with a physician for 30min and saw two people with TB, one malaria patient and a child who I think was autistic. It's so interesting to see the population that comes to the hospital. I mean these are tribal village people with no means of transport, probably walked here since most of them are barefoot. I also sat in with the Ob/gyn as well. He saw like 15 women in 30 min... amazing. Later in the evening we went to town to see a guest lecture from Dr. Kapadia. He discussed yoga and meditation post MI (heart attack). His views were very interesting. Basically east meets west philosophy. I got back around 9pm and ate at the cafeteria. I might soon be getting sick of Gujarati food.

The prayers from the my neighbors (the mosque) today were at 5pm instead of 4:30pm. I'm sure Allah heard it.. but so did Vishnu, Ganesh, Jesus Christ, Buddha and several others.

Today I will be out in the field (villages) with the director of the Community Health Project. Basically following soon to be mothers, babies that were just born. Should be very interesting.

All is well.... Trying to keep up with the elections looks like Obama has the lead.

Margee

SEWA RURAL

Made it! After a 3 hr train ride and two mango juice boxes AND with a kid loaded up on THUMBS up kicking me..I made it to Bharuch. There was transport ready for me to Jhagadia which is about 20 min. It's a pretty rural area. The campus is nice and I will see more today. My living quarters is more than I can ask for. Most of the staff greeted me last night. I have orientation today. Last night was interesting since I could sleep much. My apartment overlooks a mosque. So at 4:30am I could hear "Alllllahhhhhhhhhh Akhhhhbar". Soothing alarm clock huh? With all due respect to Islam and it's follwers, I think 4:30am is a bit early to pray. But that's just me.

Lots to do today..

More to come. VOTE!!!!!

ps absentee ballot has been sent.

xoxox Margee

Summer Vacation

Remember those long summer days where you didn't have a care in the world? The only thing you thought about was sleeping, eating and hanging out with friends. I felt like I just had my summer vacation. For the last two weeks I was pampered by my family. I ate the best home cooked Gujarati food, shopped, celebrated Diwali with my family, sat with my grandfather, went to bed late and got up every morning at 10am. Now a days it's hard to have a two week break from life. Tomorrow, I head down to Bharuch, Gujarat via train. The train ride is about 4 hrs (south). I'm pretty excited to meet Dr. Pankaj Shah and rest of the SEWA rural team. I plan to stay there for the next 5 weeks with maybe a weekend trip back up to Ahmedabad.

I hope everyone had a safe Halloween.


~ Margee

That's my cousins, Rakhee and I with our fireworks on Diwali.

Words of Wisdom

This morning I woke up early (9am which is super early) came downstairs and wished both my grandparents a happy new year. It's tradition to bend down and touch their feet. This is the way they give you a blessing. My grandfather sat up and I asked him if he had any advice for me. He responded "Yes".

1) Be happy

2) Respect your elders

3) Enjoy Life

4) Be Brave

My grandfather has taught my many things over the years but these are four very simple teachings I personally do live by and will continue to live by. You may choose practice these teachings in your daily life. I think they are pretty simple.

Thanks Dada (grandfather)

Happy New Year