See Rachel Run!

One of the hardest things to adjust to in India is the fact that I am stared at wherever I go. Yesterday I traveled to Mumbai on a medical trip with one of the children and, especially in the train stations, I attracted attention by just breathing. I realize that my fair hair and sunburned nose will always keep me disappearing in the crowd, but you’d think I’d just sprouted a third arm or turned purple.
When we boarded our train to come back to Igatpuri, we climbed onto the wrong car. We were assigned to car S10, so logically we climbed onto the car next to S9. Unfortunatly, logic did not prevail, since the S10 car was conveniently located at the other end of the train. Since we were not allowed to pass through the air-conditioned first class cars which stood between us and our destination, the only option was to make a run for it when the train stopped at the next station. We had about thirty seconds to pass twelve cars and make it to our own.
You can imagine it, can’t you? The sweating, sunburned American at full speed, weaving through crowds of passengers, dupatta streaming out behind her. And, of course, hundreds of pairs of eyes followed my dash down the whole length of the platform, watching the white girl run.
We found our seats in the proper car and I propped my feet up and watched Mumbai fade away through the bars on the window. I was lost in the Maharashtra landscape for some time before I noticed a man a few seats over watching me. He spent the rest of the two-hour train ride staring in my direction. Non maliciously, not suggestively, just…staring. I’m not even sure that he blinked. Oh well. I turned back to the window and decided to just let it go. Its just one part of the whole cross-cultural adventure. But honestly, could anyone possibly be that interesting?

Purnata Bhavan

You may be glad to know that I am alive and well and in India! I arrived at Purnata Bhavan last Monday after a three-hour car journey from Mumbai. The cluster of buildings which makes up the home sits surrounded by mountains that have been carved out by centuries of wind. Everything is pretty dry and dusty right now, but I’m told the hills turn bright green in almost an instant when the monsoon arrives. Not only is it dry, but the weather sure is HOT! it’s a little bit like living in the cabins at Camp Lurecrest on the very hottest days of the summer. But my windows open wide, and the breeze is lovely.

My MJH coworkers will be glad to see a picture of this:

But they may be surprised to hear that its just as easy to use this:

Since we’re getting personal, want to see where I take my bucket baths?

Oh, but just look at the view from the building where I stay! How could I not love it?

I began Easter morning by sitting on a grassy hillside by a mango tree with thirty-some children and staff. We sang Hindi songs (I hummed) and prayed and watched the sun spread its light all around us. Looking at the children, it amazed me to think that they have all been rescued from difficult circumstances. Many have lost their parents to AIDS, some grew up on the platforms of the railway stations, some were trafficked. Some struggle daily for the health of their bodies. But joy seems to fill every nook and cranny at PB. So I found great hope knowing that, though far from complete, the healing process has begun.

England!

I have made it safely across the pond! I arrived in London early Monday morning, and after a nap, my lovely host Nicki took me around the city! No, I didn't see the crown jewels or guards with furry hats, but I got a great panoramic view from the London Eye! (Note above photo.) After a whirlwind experience of the Tube, the Thames, and the West End, I'm already looking for "the loo" and managing to open double doors on the left side. I'm in Hertfordshire, about an hour and a half north of London. My schedule is packed with cross-cultural training on HIV, boundaries, and communicating across cutures. Its busy, busy, busy until I fly out of Heathrow Saturday morning.
Its been wonderful to meet many of the Oasis staff, to learn more about the organization and the amazing things that are occurring around the world! I still haven't quite figured out how to sleep at the right time, but that'll all change soon anyway. And as I learned from working night shift, and little melatonin works wonders.
Thanks to all my well-wishers and encouragers. I miss you all already! Don't worry, I'll update again soon--next post, Mumbai!

"To Do" List

1)Resign from job.
2)Obtain Indian visa.
3)Start packing.
4)Get clean bill of health.
5)Figure out how I'm going to watch LOST while I'm overseas!

Any suggestions?

"Be prepared to change your plans."

So here's the deal, folks. As it turns out, my job description in India has changed slightly. The Oasis India project called Priceless, my original placement, is changing their focus toward community outreach and health education. Since my entire Hindi vocabulary consists of “my name is Rachel” and the numbers one through ten, I won't be able to contribute much to this new direction. So, instead of living and working in Mumbai, I will now be spending most of my time in beautiful Igatpuri, a hill station about three hours outside of Mumbai.

Igatpuri is the location of Purnata Bhavan, which means “House of Wholeness.” It is a residential facility for women and children who have either been diagnosed with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Many of the residents come from Mumbai, and have either come out of trafficking situations, or have been removed from other situations which place them at risk, or cannot provide appropriate care. I get to use my nursing skills and assist the PB staff in managing medical care for the residents.

So, the next six months will look a little different than I originally planned. But I am excited to spend time outside of the crushing crowds and heavy smog of Mumbai. I can't wait to trek in the Western Ghats, to breathe the clean air, to live in a place where true hope and healing thrives every day.

The downside is that I won't have internet access as often as I would in Mumbai. I still plan to post pictures and update this blog as much as possible, but it may be less than I originally planned. But please don't be offended if it takes me a week or two to respond to your email. Because you are going to email me, right? There are lots of little details that I just don't know yet, but be prepared to hear all about it!

Here's some trivia about Igatpuri: according to Wikipedia, most outdoor scenes in Bollywood movies are filmed here. And according to this article from the Hindustan Times, drug peddlers are now storing large quantities of drugs in Igatpuri and nearby cities due to heightened security measures in Mumbai. I'll be happy to discover that the former is true, but I don't plan to investigate the latter!

So long, South 4!

The night shift staff at Martha Jefferson Labor and Delivery love any excuse to party. So, on the occasion of my last night at work, we celebrated. Folks, we ate all. night. long. From Linda's famous lasagna to a sumptuous salad and decadent espresso truffle cheesecake, this party was amazing. You can see the unbridled joy in my expression.


Here Linda and Jeff crack a smile for the camera.


Cathy and Bethany, hard at work in the nursery. At least that's what they want you to think!


Elaine's expression in this picture is priceless! Its the face she makes every time Mei-Ling presses the foot-bar on her stool, making her drop toward the floor unexpectedly. Its usually payback for a comment about the smell of the eggs Mei-Ling ate for dinner!



Leaving South 4 is bittersweet. Despite the eager anticipation of my trip to India, I've shed some tears over leaving these wonderful coworkers. They are some of the most capable, caring, and talented staff in the world. Who else could you possibly want to deliver and care for your babies?

Thank you to all of the OB staff for teaching me how to stay awake at night, what to do in a twins delivery (right, Michelle?), how to do a quick PKU, when to wake a sleeping doctor, how fast to run for a crash c-section. You've taught me to love childbirth, and all of the accompanying adrenaline, sweat, and tears of joy. And to everyone on all shifts, thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement. I will miss you!

Ash Wednesday

For those of you in search of a different kind of fasting this Lenten season, check out Blood:Water Mission's 40 Days of Water and help bring clean, safe water to communities in Africa!