So I arrived safely! Overnight trains are an amazing idea, I'm not sure why Britain hasn't become up to date with them. Probably because they'd only be of use from Northern Scotland to Cornwall but still... the idea that you can travel over 600km AND get a good night's sleep is brilliant.
We drove from Allahabad station to the hospital in Naini - the traffic was absolutely crazy. Road rules are non-existent and road markings may as well not be there. I went out in the van again later that day in order to gain some rupees and suffered from a couple of episodes of sharp-intake-of-breath-in-vehicle syndrome. I was told "They say if you can drive in Allahabad you can drive anywhere in the world" and I believe it! A man walked out straight in front of us travelling at 40 mph ish with no intention of standing back or stopping, so we had to take a noisy swerve in order to avoid him. The fantasy idea of riding in a rickshaw has gone out of the window as I wouldn't want to be sat on the back of a bike in traffic like that. Mirror, signal, maneuver doesn't work either as most people drive with their wing mirrors tucked in, presumably in order to squeeze through the middle of two vehicles to overtake in a two lane road...
Enough about the traffic! The hospital site is lovely and I made a few friends over cake and chai (a tea with loads of milk and sugar) after the Easter chapel service. The campus is much bigger than I expected offering lots to do and many people to meet. I'm fairly limited to talking to medical professionals due to my inability to speak Hindi, but a smile, nod and 'Namaste' gets me on the right side of most of the locals. This morning I was grateful for a song book which used the English-style alphabet rather than sanscript, so I could sing along even if I didn't know what I was singing.
Today I was orientated around the ward and outpatient department. I spent today and am spending tomorrow in the 'Chartering' room, which is like the triage area of an A&E department. Under 30 seconds is spent with each patient to determine whether they are considered leprosy or general. By this afternoon I was fulfilling the role of the female staff member who is on annual leave by examining the female patients alone, noting any skin lesions ('patches') on areas of their body that would be unsuitable to be examined by the male staff. I'm glad that I'm already being useful!
I'm afraid I don't have any photos yet. I'm trying to fit in and not appear too tourist-y, but I'll get some taken and uploaded soon.
Best wishes from Naini - the computer room is mine to use after working hours so expect to hear more later in the week :)
We drove from Allahabad station to the hospital in Naini - the traffic was absolutely crazy. Road rules are non-existent and road markings may as well not be there. I went out in the van again later that day in order to gain some rupees and suffered from a couple of episodes of sharp-intake-of-breath-in-vehicle syndrome. I was told "They say if you can drive in Allahabad you can drive anywhere in the world" and I believe it! A man walked out straight in front of us travelling at 40 mph ish with no intention of standing back or stopping, so we had to take a noisy swerve in order to avoid him. The fantasy idea of riding in a rickshaw has gone out of the window as I wouldn't want to be sat on the back of a bike in traffic like that. Mirror, signal, maneuver doesn't work either as most people drive with their wing mirrors tucked in, presumably in order to squeeze through the middle of two vehicles to overtake in a two lane road...
Enough about the traffic! The hospital site is lovely and I made a few friends over cake and chai (a tea with loads of milk and sugar) after the Easter chapel service. The campus is much bigger than I expected offering lots to do and many people to meet. I'm fairly limited to talking to medical professionals due to my inability to speak Hindi, but a smile, nod and 'Namaste' gets me on the right side of most of the locals. This morning I was grateful for a song book which used the English-style alphabet rather than sanscript, so I could sing along even if I didn't know what I was singing.
Today I was orientated around the ward and outpatient department. I spent today and am spending tomorrow in the 'Chartering' room, which is like the triage area of an A&E department. Under 30 seconds is spent with each patient to determine whether they are considered leprosy or general. By this afternoon I was fulfilling the role of the female staff member who is on annual leave by examining the female patients alone, noting any skin lesions ('patches') on areas of their body that would be unsuitable to be examined by the male staff. I'm glad that I'm already being useful!
I'm afraid I don't have any photos yet. I'm trying to fit in and not appear too tourist-y, but I'll get some taken and uploaded soon.
Best wishes from Naini - the computer room is mine to use after working hours so expect to hear more later in the week :)
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