Six months out (since June). 71 pounds. No craving for chocolate. Just for sugar cookie dough. I would like to lose 25 more pounds. More, if possible, but I will be happy with just 25 more. Received my new 6 months worth of medication last Monday. It was wrapped in a muslin bag with hand stitching and wax (like on letters in the olden days) at strategic points. Cool.
Forgot to mention that David, Kevin, Raechel and I did an 8K (5 miles) race??????? called the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Actually, Raechel ran and then came back to join us for the end of the walk, bringing bottles of much-needed water. Kevin, David, and I received a standing ovation when we crossed the Finish Line. The people were already standing, but they did applaud for those of us who finished last. The point, again, isn't that we finished last, but that I FINISHED!!!!!!!!!! We didn't get a free pair of shoes, but we did get T-shirts. Had a good time. And all of us know that I probably would not have finished 5 miles this time last year!
My second semester of college teaching has ended, and I am busy getting ready to teach Abnormal Psychology as well as one General Psychology course next semester.
Amelia told me that she has cancer markers in her blood again so please be thinking of her and praying for her. She is an amazing woman and is trying spiritual healing now.
Take care. Merry Christmas. Please have a safe, healthy New Year.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
update November--5 months out
The best laid plans...
or
better late than never.
The good news on the weight issue is I'm maintaining.
The bad news is I'm definitely not losing very fast. Almost at 31 kilos. 68 pounds. Not much change since October. I think I look pretty darn good, but that may be an inaccurate perception.
I'm going to Knollwood about 5 times a week--sometimes using the treadmill; sometimes swimming. I can swim more than a half mile without stopping although I do not have the fancy turns some folks have--not stopping means not putting my feet on the floor. There's a wonderful jacuzzi for afterward. No after effects from swimming 40 lengths of 75 feet. Swimming is easier than walking on the treadmill. But maybe it doesn't use as many calories as walking?? Don't do Tuesdays or Thursdays because those are my long days, and I just don't have the energy. If I don't get to Knollwood on Mondays, I still go to Qigong Monday nights.
Trying to eat less. Am experiencing more stress as the semester wears on. Finally had an epiphany about why my spare time seems so limited. I'm grading for 3 classes instead of just one. And, although I've lost a lot of students, it still takes a lot of time.
I don't think I told you last month, but I had to have ring guards put on my rings because I was afraid they would fly off never to be seen again.
The good news about being unable to give blood is that I found out I'm not anemic, my resting pulse was 70, and my BP was 96 over 70. Not too shabby.
David will see me next Wednesday for the first time since he left India. May be a big surprise although he has seen pictures thanks to Jenny putting them on Facebook.
Take care and enjoy Thanksgiving.
Love,
Mom/Peggy
And so, the beat goes on. Am wondering if I am going to make my goal.
or
better late than never.
The good news on the weight issue is I'm maintaining.
The bad news is I'm definitely not losing very fast. Almost at 31 kilos. 68 pounds. Not much change since October. I think I look pretty darn good, but that may be an inaccurate perception.
I'm going to Knollwood about 5 times a week--sometimes using the treadmill; sometimes swimming. I can swim more than a half mile without stopping although I do not have the fancy turns some folks have--not stopping means not putting my feet on the floor. There's a wonderful jacuzzi for afterward. No after effects from swimming 40 lengths of 75 feet. Swimming is easier than walking on the treadmill. But maybe it doesn't use as many calories as walking?? Don't do Tuesdays or Thursdays because those are my long days, and I just don't have the energy. If I don't get to Knollwood on Mondays, I still go to Qigong Monday nights.
Trying to eat less. Am experiencing more stress as the semester wears on. Finally had an epiphany about why my spare time seems so limited. I'm grading for 3 classes instead of just one. And, although I've lost a lot of students, it still takes a lot of time.
I don't think I told you last month, but I had to have ring guards put on my rings because I was afraid they would fly off never to be seen again.
The good news about being unable to give blood is that I found out I'm not anemic, my resting pulse was 70, and my BP was 96 over 70. Not too shabby.
David will see me next Wednesday for the first time since he left India. May be a big surprise although he has seen pictures thanks to Jenny putting them on Facebook.
Take care and enjoy Thanksgiving.
Love,
Mom/Peggy
And so, the beat goes on. Am wondering if I am going to make my goal.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
Hey!
Here's the latest on the miracle that is Ayurveda. Today is Wednesday which is my weigh-in day. 64 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you believe it?????????????????? Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!! This in spite of not being entirely faithful to the regimen I've set for myself. Last Friday a friend and I went to Parisi's, and I had spaghetti. First time since May. It was great. And I wasn't even sick the next day! Also, am still not eating chocolate. Not even any cravings for it. Or Cinnebon or Pizza Hut although I have had some pizza since I came back.
I had to change the mirrors on my car because the last time I checked, I had dropped over 10 inches on my bootie--don't know how to spell the upperclass name. If this keeps up, I may have to get a pillow to sit on so I can see over the steering wheel.
My closet is becoming more and more limited. I've been using a belt to keep my pants up--got a couple of pairs of size 16 jeans, and those don't need a belt. Also got a belt for the too big shirts and sweaters so I can keep wearing them a while longer. Some of the shirts, sweaters and slacks I have just don't look good with or without a belt so I have them packed up for Goodwill or St. Vincent's Society. Hate to spend much money because I intend to keep going on this. Anyway, Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!
Walking has become more limited due to weather restraints so I am investigating other avenues. Hopefully will have something I can live with for the next 6 months next time I blog.
Was talking to Kevin (and Michelle--you know we should both go) about going back to Zamorin's but Aunt Linda tells me they have doubled the price since we were there in May and June. Guess maybe Col. Babu read my blog. Knew I shouldn't give him my blog address!!
Thanks for all the love and support. And thanks for pushing. It has been the greatest thing!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Here's the latest on the miracle that is Ayurveda. Today is Wednesday which is my weigh-in day. 64 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you believe it?????????????????? Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!! This in spite of not being entirely faithful to the regimen I've set for myself. Last Friday a friend and I went to Parisi's, and I had spaghetti. First time since May. It was great. And I wasn't even sick the next day! Also, am still not eating chocolate. Not even any cravings for it. Or Cinnebon or Pizza Hut although I have had some pizza since I came back.
I had to change the mirrors on my car because the last time I checked, I had dropped over 10 inches on my bootie--don't know how to spell the upperclass name. If this keeps up, I may have to get a pillow to sit on so I can see over the steering wheel.
My closet is becoming more and more limited. I've been using a belt to keep my pants up--got a couple of pairs of size 16 jeans, and those don't need a belt. Also got a belt for the too big shirts and sweaters so I can keep wearing them a while longer. Some of the shirts, sweaters and slacks I have just don't look good with or without a belt so I have them packed up for Goodwill or St. Vincent's Society. Hate to spend much money because I intend to keep going on this. Anyway, Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!
Walking has become more limited due to weather restraints so I am investigating other avenues. Hopefully will have something I can live with for the next 6 months next time I blog.
Was talking to Kevin (and Michelle--you know we should both go) about going back to Zamorin's but Aunt Linda tells me they have doubled the price since we were there in May and June. Guess maybe Col. Babu read my blog. Knew I shouldn't give him my blog address!!
Thanks for all the love and support. And thanks for pushing. It has been the greatest thing!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Saturday, September 12, 2009
3 months out from Zamorin
Hi all,
Hope everyone is doing well.
As for me, if my calculations are correct, I am at 24.5 kilos lost. If not, you'll never know. If you go from my all-time high, it's even more than that.
In August, I went to California, and Kevin and I went to Yosemite for a couple of days. Awesome! I would like to go back sometime in the Spring when the snowmelt is making the falls flow. Once again, I found how hard it is to travel under the eating restrictions I have imposed on myself. We took a cooler of fruits and veggies and were able to pick and choose at a buffet breakfast where we stayed.
Unfortunately, I seem to have hit a plateau mentally. I'm getting tired (or bored) with being so careful as well as trying to walk every single day for an hour. Have not been able, really, to pull that off since starting teaching at Ancilla. Tuesdays are virtually impossible due to lack of time and motivation--not to mention class preparation or grading. Thursdays aren't a lot better, but since I don't have to be mentally alert until 9:00PM, it's a little better. Last Thursday, I did manage to walk for 30 minutes after my morning class. The issue there is that it's a pain due to the body cooling mechanism (sweating). I haven't reached the point where I feel okay about walking around in the building in my walking clothes (trying to cool down--I can only sit outside twiddling my thumbs for so long before getting antsy. Still have to ask about the lockerroom. I do take my lunch on those two days because the salad bar offered was okay but not sterling.
So...If anyone has any words of advice or is willing to offer me a million dollars for dropping an additional 24.5 kilos, please feel free. I'm sure this is just a temporary glitch so I will probably get over the moaning and groaning.
My CSA is going to offer a double season of fruits and vegetables (for double the price), but it will start earlier. And I will get things like strawberries and asparagus (not bad steamed) in season. By that time, I hope to be in a position to be doing some recipes with fruits and veggies so this will give me additional new ones to try.
Jenny has made sweet potatoes (mashed and tasting good)--actually an excellent vegetable according to the nutrition letter--and squash (also good). She also used the quinoa Valerie and Aunt Linda sent-- in green peppers. It's the top healthy wheat, etc. category. Thank you, Jenny, for being an excellent cook and for being adventurous. Quinoa is actually good if you add a little cheese.
Tune in next month for the continuing saga. Thank you for all your love and support!!! It's appreciated more than you know!!!!!!!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Hope everyone is doing well.
As for me, if my calculations are correct, I am at 24.5 kilos lost. If not, you'll never know. If you go from my all-time high, it's even more than that.
In August, I went to California, and Kevin and I went to Yosemite for a couple of days. Awesome! I would like to go back sometime in the Spring when the snowmelt is making the falls flow. Once again, I found how hard it is to travel under the eating restrictions I have imposed on myself. We took a cooler of fruits and veggies and were able to pick and choose at a buffet breakfast where we stayed.
Unfortunately, I seem to have hit a plateau mentally. I'm getting tired (or bored) with being so careful as well as trying to walk every single day for an hour. Have not been able, really, to pull that off since starting teaching at Ancilla. Tuesdays are virtually impossible due to lack of time and motivation--not to mention class preparation or grading. Thursdays aren't a lot better, but since I don't have to be mentally alert until 9:00PM, it's a little better. Last Thursday, I did manage to walk for 30 minutes after my morning class. The issue there is that it's a pain due to the body cooling mechanism (sweating). I haven't reached the point where I feel okay about walking around in the building in my walking clothes (trying to cool down--I can only sit outside twiddling my thumbs for so long before getting antsy. Still have to ask about the lockerroom. I do take my lunch on those two days because the salad bar offered was okay but not sterling.
So...If anyone has any words of advice or is willing to offer me a million dollars for dropping an additional 24.5 kilos, please feel free. I'm sure this is just a temporary glitch so I will probably get over the moaning and groaning.
My CSA is going to offer a double season of fruits and vegetables (for double the price), but it will start earlier. And I will get things like strawberries and asparagus (not bad steamed) in season. By that time, I hope to be in a position to be doing some recipes with fruits and veggies so this will give me additional new ones to try.
Jenny has made sweet potatoes (mashed and tasting good)--actually an excellent vegetable according to the nutrition letter--and squash (also good). She also used the quinoa Valerie and Aunt Linda sent-- in green peppers. It's the top healthy wheat, etc. category. Thank you, Jenny, for being an excellent cook and for being adventurous. Quinoa is actually good if you add a little cheese.
Tune in next month for the continuing saga. Thank you for all your love and support!!! It's appreciated more than you know!!!!!!!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
My apologies for not writing the follow-up blog on August 12, 2009. I was in the process of leaving for California and Yosemite National Park and ran out of time.
At any rate, as of last Wednesday, August 12, 2009, I have lost 45 pounds. As I told Kevin, there is no way I could have or would have lost that 45 pounds without going to India and experiencing Ayurveda treatment. So, I thank you all for that and for all the support you have given me around this endeavor.
Things I have learned since returning to the States: It is very difficult to travel without including my own food provisions in my planning. When I went to the family reunion in West Virginia, I stopped several places for breaks or gas. I was able to walk into a plaza which had Cinnebonn and Pizza Hut without any problem at all. (I was just thinking that in my most recent trip through airports that I didn't even notice Cinnebonn. Amazing!) Stopping at Starvin' Marvin or any other convenience store looking for something healthy turned out to be an exercise in futility. Usually I can find apples or bananas, but no such luck on the West Virginia trip. No wonder there are so many of us overweight folks. Not only is our food supply pretty much deficient in nutrition, but so much of it is pure junk. Even the 'natural' stuff is full of sugar, fats and additives. I have been following the "If it has more than 5 ingredients, don't buy it." rule. (If you've heard this stuff before, the blog says I posted on 7/28, but I can't find it. Indulge me and read this stuff, too, please.)
This past weekend I went to see Kevin, and we stocked up on fruits and veggies to take with us to Yosemite. There was a breakfast buffet where we stayed, but we still had to pick and choose. I had a great time with Kevin and at Yosemite. Yosemite itself is absolutely awesome. I would like to go back sometime in the Spring. BTW: On the return flight, there was still snow on some of the Rocky peaks. When my batteries recharge, I will put pictures on Picasa. Probably tomorrow.
Almost forgot to mention that I still haven't had any chocolate except the one piece in Dubai and three chocolate-covered almonds. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!! My weight is where I hoped to be by Christmas so I am still keepin' on.
Thanks again for all the caring and support.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy
My apologies for not writing the follow-up blog on August 12, 2009. I was in the process of leaving for California and Yosemite National Park and ran out of time.
At any rate, as of last Wednesday, August 12, 2009, I have lost 45 pounds. As I told Kevin, there is no way I could have or would have lost that 45 pounds without going to India and experiencing Ayurveda treatment. So, I thank you all for that and for all the support you have given me around this endeavor.
Things I have learned since returning to the States: It is very difficult to travel without including my own food provisions in my planning. When I went to the family reunion in West Virginia, I stopped several places for breaks or gas. I was able to walk into a plaza which had Cinnebonn and Pizza Hut without any problem at all. (I was just thinking that in my most recent trip through airports that I didn't even notice Cinnebonn. Amazing!) Stopping at Starvin' Marvin or any other convenience store looking for something healthy turned out to be an exercise in futility. Usually I can find apples or bananas, but no such luck on the West Virginia trip. No wonder there are so many of us overweight folks. Not only is our food supply pretty much deficient in nutrition, but so much of it is pure junk. Even the 'natural' stuff is full of sugar, fats and additives. I have been following the "If it has more than 5 ingredients, don't buy it." rule. (If you've heard this stuff before, the blog says I posted on 7/28, but I can't find it. Indulge me and read this stuff, too, please.)
This past weekend I went to see Kevin, and we stocked up on fruits and veggies to take with us to Yosemite. There was a breakfast buffet where we stayed, but we still had to pick and choose. I had a great time with Kevin and at Yosemite. Yosemite itself is absolutely awesome. I would like to go back sometime in the Spring. BTW: On the return flight, there was still snow on some of the Rocky peaks. When my batteries recharge, I will put pictures on Picasa. Probably tomorrow.
Almost forgot to mention that I still haven't had any chocolate except the one piece in Dubai and three chocolate-covered almonds. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!! My weight is where I hoped to be by Christmas so I am still keepin' on.
Thanks again for all the caring and support.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12, 2009 Ayurveda follow-up
Sunday, July 12, 2009
As of today I am two months past going to India, one month past coming back to the States, and two weeks back in my own abode.
I'm doing well. I feel good, and my former piano teacher says I look very healthy. I have lost 34 pounds since May 12. (I took pity on you and didn't make you convert from kilos.) My sciatica is also doing well. I still know it's there, but it hasn't kicked up even with all the walking I do. An hour a day. Most of the time I don't even know it's there. Halleluia!!!
David and Raechel sent me a juicer and an ipod; Kevin and Michelle sent me a steamer and MANY books on my new lifestyle; and Bob and Jenny want to know why David and Kevin don't have to try the juices I make!
Thus far I have made cucumber juice--takes a lot of cucumbers but it tastes better than the cucumber juice we got in India--and beet juice--also takes a lot of beets, but it tastes good--sweet but it has a taste of what I surmise is the land it's grown on or else the outside layer of the beets.
I am going to try celery juice next--or carrot juice. Amelia says she is drinking celery juice and two other kinds so... Fortunately I discovered a brand new organic farmer's market over by Macri's which is in operation every Thursday. All three providers are Amish so even the two who admit they aren't totally organic subscribe to limited use of unhealthy stuff. The third one said the person who certifies a farm as organic has only to send them the plaque or certificate or whatever so they can put it on the table in front of their produce. This guy also said that they would eventually have 3 tents because they have 20 acres growing. They have sign up for a CSA this coming Thursday. I think those initials are correct. It's where for $255 they will provide you with a basket of fresh produce every week between next week and the end of November. $18 per week I'm told although I haven't done the math. In the signup sheet they will allow some limited choices on the purchaser's part so if I really can't stand something they will double up on it. When he told me that, I asked him if he had been talking to one of my sons. Actually, he said he was kidding. However, this will give me an opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables I've never tried before. And maybe some that my mother used to make us eat like squash and lima beans. Maybe they'll taste better if I steam them.
As to the steamer, I have steamed cauliflower--not bad either steamed or unsteamed if you dip it in Campbell's Tomato Soup. Will never become my favorite because it is bland, but it is edible. I also tried corn-on-the-cob, which was super even without margarine or butter. The skies the limit here.
At the organic market, there is also a store where I can get coconut oil. It's expensive. $55 plus 7% Indiana sales tax for a gallon. On the internet I found a sale price of 2 gallons for $99, but that no doubt didn't include shipping.
Should you need convincing that this is a good way to eat, I suggest you read "In Defense of Food". I'm not home right now so I can't give you the author's name, but I'm sure it's on Amazon.com. There is also a movie--maybe a documentary--called Food, Inc. which sounds like it will fill you in on how our food is no longer FOOD thanks to our government and the quantity and dollars versus quality cadre. I heard the filmmaker on Jon Stewart's show this week, and it seemed like he and the author of "In Defense of Food" are on the same page. For all I know, they are one in the same. The film is supposed to be in theatres now. The book has rules to live by such as 'Never buy anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food' and 'Never buy anything with more than 5 ingredients' because they are additives which help us Westerners have a much higher incidence of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than 3rd world countries.
BTW: The book does not say that you can't have meat, etc. It just says--like Dr. Baji said--that we should limit how much we eat and focus on fruits and vegetables (preferably fresh). And the Surgeon-General will love you for it. So will your body.
And so the saga continues. As I mentioned on June 17, I will try to update this around the 12th of every month so see you in August.
Take care!
Mom/Granny/Peggy
As of today I am two months past going to India, one month past coming back to the States, and two weeks back in my own abode.
I'm doing well. I feel good, and my former piano teacher says I look very healthy. I have lost 34 pounds since May 12. (I took pity on you and didn't make you convert from kilos.) My sciatica is also doing well. I still know it's there, but it hasn't kicked up even with all the walking I do. An hour a day. Most of the time I don't even know it's there. Halleluia!!!
David and Raechel sent me a juicer and an ipod; Kevin and Michelle sent me a steamer and MANY books on my new lifestyle; and Bob and Jenny want to know why David and Kevin don't have to try the juices I make!
Thus far I have made cucumber juice--takes a lot of cucumbers but it tastes better than the cucumber juice we got in India--and beet juice--also takes a lot of beets, but it tastes good--sweet but it has a taste of what I surmise is the land it's grown on or else the outside layer of the beets.
I am going to try celery juice next--or carrot juice. Amelia says she is drinking celery juice and two other kinds so... Fortunately I discovered a brand new organic farmer's market over by Macri's which is in operation every Thursday. All three providers are Amish so even the two who admit they aren't totally organic subscribe to limited use of unhealthy stuff. The third one said the person who certifies a farm as organic has only to send them the plaque or certificate or whatever so they can put it on the table in front of their produce. This guy also said that they would eventually have 3 tents because they have 20 acres growing. They have sign up for a CSA this coming Thursday. I think those initials are correct. It's where for $255 they will provide you with a basket of fresh produce every week between next week and the end of November. $18 per week I'm told although I haven't done the math. In the signup sheet they will allow some limited choices on the purchaser's part so if I really can't stand something they will double up on it. When he told me that, I asked him if he had been talking to one of my sons. Actually, he said he was kidding. However, this will give me an opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables I've never tried before. And maybe some that my mother used to make us eat like squash and lima beans. Maybe they'll taste better if I steam them.
As to the steamer, I have steamed cauliflower--not bad either steamed or unsteamed if you dip it in Campbell's Tomato Soup. Will never become my favorite because it is bland, but it is edible. I also tried corn-on-the-cob, which was super even without margarine or butter. The skies the limit here.
At the organic market, there is also a store where I can get coconut oil. It's expensive. $55 plus 7% Indiana sales tax for a gallon. On the internet I found a sale price of 2 gallons for $99, but that no doubt didn't include shipping.
Should you need convincing that this is a good way to eat, I suggest you read "In Defense of Food". I'm not home right now so I can't give you the author's name, but I'm sure it's on Amazon.com. There is also a movie--maybe a documentary--called Food, Inc. which sounds like it will fill you in on how our food is no longer FOOD thanks to our government and the quantity and dollars versus quality cadre. I heard the filmmaker on Jon Stewart's show this week, and it seemed like he and the author of "In Defense of Food" are on the same page. For all I know, they are one in the same. The film is supposed to be in theatres now. The book has rules to live by such as 'Never buy anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food' and 'Never buy anything with more than 5 ingredients' because they are additives which help us Westerners have a much higher incidence of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than 3rd world countries.
BTW: The book does not say that you can't have meat, etc. It just says--like Dr. Baji said--that we should limit how much we eat and focus on fruits and vegetables (preferably fresh). And the Surgeon-General will love you for it. So will your body.
And so the saga continues. As I mentioned on June 17, I will try to update this around the 12th of every month so see you in August.
Take care!
Mom/Granny/Peggy
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hi all,
I have been back in the States since Friday, June 12. Yesterday I was out running around all day and find that my stamina is definitely not back to normal yet.
To finish off the trip: I left Zamorin's at 6AM on Thursday, June 11, 2009. Colonel Babu came to see me off as did Kirish and Sibeon (They sleep on the floor in the livingroom in case of medical emergencies so they didn't really have a choice.). Colonel Babu actually gave me a big hug (I first asked him if I could give him a hug not knowing whether that was kosher or not.) and told me that I will always have a home at Zamorin's. We arrived at the airport in an hour and a half. Part of the trip was on a new four-lane highway where it looked like if houses were partially in the way of the construction, they had just ripped off that part of the house and left the rest. EVERYone was very nice to me all the way back to the States and went out of their way to help me. When I went up to the Emirates Air desk, I asked the guy if he spoke English, which he did--very well, in fact. David had difficulty having his luggage sent all the way to the States and had to pick his up in Dubai. The gentleman had never processed luggage to the States (and he was in training), but his supervisor was there and helped him route it to South Bend. I still had to pick it up in Washington, DC for customs, but just walked it about 15 feet to put it on a conveyer belt to go to the next airplane. Unfortunately, it did not arrive in South Bend when I did, but it did come in yet on Friday and was delivered.
At the Cochin Airport, I couldn't find any books or bottled water, but I could have lunch at 8 AM from the one deli I saw. Nope. Not up for that. I did have a granola bar in my carryon so I had that. There were virtually no snacks except candy available.
Emirates Air is a great airline!!!! They had many attendants who were actually working for the entire 4 hour flight. First they gave everyone a small sealed cup of lemonade. And I think we had lunch. Lots of water handed out. Part of lunch was fresh fruit so that was good. Again, everyone was very nice and personable.
The Dubai airport is very modern. BTW at Cochin and at Dubai, everything and everyone goes through security twice. Once before they let you in and once before they let you on. At Dubai, the women were wanded in a curtained enclosure due to the prevailing modesty and saris and Muslim dress and such. Let me tell you that wand was right up on me. By a woman, of course.
The only airports that made me take off my shoes were in the States. Every foreign airport makes you go through immigration as did Washington, DC. In every airport EXCEPT Washington, DC, if there were a lot of people, screeners were added at Immigration--and there were already a lot of screeners. In the US there were easily 250 people in each of 2 lines--one for US citizens and one for non US folks. And 3 passport screeners. And none added.
Anyway, back to Dubai. The airport is ultra modern. We arrived 45 minutes early. I only saw two shops going out of the airport. No restaurants. I was able to get bottled water in the airport. Once I got out in the foyer so-to-speak, my cell phone wouldn't let me text because it had to be digital and, being the technologically-challenged person that I am, I didn't know how to do anything about that. So I tried to use a telephone to call Leslie, Jeff's sister. But an airport person in a suit said it took a card (probably pre-paid card) to use that phone. So he called Leslie and helped me hook up with her and even took me to her car. So helpful. See what I mean by going out of their way??????
And so I spent the rest of the day with Leslie and her family and had a great time. It was really hazy in Dubai, but Leslie drove me around so I saw the highlights. We spent some time running kids while she answered my questions about Islam. Leslie's husband is Palestinian I'm told, but I think maybe he was raised in Jordan as that is where he would like to retire when the time comes. He went to undergrad at Vincennes University here in Indiana and got his Master's at University of Dayton, which is where he met Leslie, I think. The whole family was very friendly, and I enjoyed my time with them. There are two girls-maybe 16 and 19 and two boys ages 7 and 12. There is another daughter married and living in Arizona who is a doctor looking for a residency in orthopedic surgery, I think. She was doing general surgery in Dubai. The fam has been in Dubai for 16 years. Did I mention how great the fruit is in this area of the world????
The pineapple is to die for. The orange and banana I had at Leslie's were great. There was also a fruit which has a spiny outside (which you do not eat) and a delicious inside. She also made some Arab food? which was very tasty and not spicy--chicken, rice, eggplant, and cauliflower I think. Yum! We also went to a mall which was cool. Literally. But they also had great shops and underground parking so the car didn't get hot. It was only 43 degrees centigrade which is somewhere around 105 degrees farenheit. Fortunately, very low humdity.
Leslie dropped me back at the airport about 9:30 PM for my midnight flight. And this is the part of the airport which is truly amazing. Shop after shop after shop. They are forecasting $1 billion in sales for this year. I think there were also places to eat, but I certainly wasn't hungry. I upgraded my flight to Economy Plus so I had a lot more (it's all relative) wiggle room and empty seats on both sides of me. There was a continuous map which showed the flightpath and gave vital statistics such as airspeed, altitude, outside temp, etc. Kind of cool. We definitely did not take the most direct route as we flew over Turkey, Warsaw, Poland, the Norwegian Straits (?) just south of Scandinavia, north of England, the Atlantic, just south of Iceland, and then down the interior of the East Coast. ie we were inland aways and not over water. The flight was uneventful. We had dinner in the wee small hours. A snack later. And then breakfast before flying into DC. It's really hard to be focussing on fruits and vegetables when whoever makes the food is not, but I only took one teeny bite of the chocolate brownie served with something. I just remembered that I was asleep during dinner so the brownie wasn't during dinner. Maybe I just dreamed about a brownie? I remember that there was fresh fruit with breakfast though. This flight was 14 hours long, and at one point the map said we had a headwind of 100mph which tends to slow down one's airspeed.
So then we deplane and head for immigration. Everyone was well-behaved and somewhat subdued after a 14 hour flight except for the guy from the US Embassy in Baghdad who badmouthed everyone and everything in sight. No wonder people have bad opinions of us when people from the US--not just this guy--are rude, crude and unattractive.
No problems at all until Chicago where there was a little bit of a delay due to a mechanical problem. My luggage didn't arrive in South Bend with me. BUT I had the greatest welcome in the world at the South Bend airport. Jenny and all four kids came to greet me, bringing hugs, flowers, and balloons. There's nothing like being welcomed home by your grandchildren and daughter-in-law!!!!
I haven't had a whole lot of problem readjusting although I have been in bed by 8 PM every night. I've been walking the last 4 days. And yesterday, I overdid myself running around, having lunch with Mrs. J. and going shopping with her. But I am taking it easy as recommended by Dr. Baji.
I have been asked if I would do this fabulous trip again. I would. I had a fantastic time--not withstanding the medication-- learning about another culture, meeting people, seeing things and doing things I never would have seen or done otherwise. The movie star--whom my Indian doctor here had heard of--and her friend Maya thought Amelia and I were both positively nuts for our response to the elephant so we were at least entertaining in that respect. Oh, yeah, the Ayurveda was cool, too.
Thanks for reading. I will occasionally keep you updated with regard to the aftermath of the Ayurveda. Probably not more than once a month. I will try to do that on the 12th of the month so you won't have to check everyday.
Love and blessings to all.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny etc.
I have been back in the States since Friday, June 12. Yesterday I was out running around all day and find that my stamina is definitely not back to normal yet.
To finish off the trip: I left Zamorin's at 6AM on Thursday, June 11, 2009. Colonel Babu came to see me off as did Kirish and Sibeon (They sleep on the floor in the livingroom in case of medical emergencies so they didn't really have a choice.). Colonel Babu actually gave me a big hug (I first asked him if I could give him a hug not knowing whether that was kosher or not.) and told me that I will always have a home at Zamorin's. We arrived at the airport in an hour and a half. Part of the trip was on a new four-lane highway where it looked like if houses were partially in the way of the construction, they had just ripped off that part of the house and left the rest. EVERYone was very nice to me all the way back to the States and went out of their way to help me. When I went up to the Emirates Air desk, I asked the guy if he spoke English, which he did--very well, in fact. David had difficulty having his luggage sent all the way to the States and had to pick his up in Dubai. The gentleman had never processed luggage to the States (and he was in training), but his supervisor was there and helped him route it to South Bend. I still had to pick it up in Washington, DC for customs, but just walked it about 15 feet to put it on a conveyer belt to go to the next airplane. Unfortunately, it did not arrive in South Bend when I did, but it did come in yet on Friday and was delivered.
At the Cochin Airport, I couldn't find any books or bottled water, but I could have lunch at 8 AM from the one deli I saw. Nope. Not up for that. I did have a granola bar in my carryon so I had that. There were virtually no snacks except candy available.
Emirates Air is a great airline!!!! They had many attendants who were actually working for the entire 4 hour flight. First they gave everyone a small sealed cup of lemonade. And I think we had lunch. Lots of water handed out. Part of lunch was fresh fruit so that was good. Again, everyone was very nice and personable.
The Dubai airport is very modern. BTW at Cochin and at Dubai, everything and everyone goes through security twice. Once before they let you in and once before they let you on. At Dubai, the women were wanded in a curtained enclosure due to the prevailing modesty and saris and Muslim dress and such. Let me tell you that wand was right up on me. By a woman, of course.
The only airports that made me take off my shoes were in the States. Every foreign airport makes you go through immigration as did Washington, DC. In every airport EXCEPT Washington, DC, if there were a lot of people, screeners were added at Immigration--and there were already a lot of screeners. In the US there were easily 250 people in each of 2 lines--one for US citizens and one for non US folks. And 3 passport screeners. And none added.
Anyway, back to Dubai. The airport is ultra modern. We arrived 45 minutes early. I only saw two shops going out of the airport. No restaurants. I was able to get bottled water in the airport. Once I got out in the foyer so-to-speak, my cell phone wouldn't let me text because it had to be digital and, being the technologically-challenged person that I am, I didn't know how to do anything about that. So I tried to use a telephone to call Leslie, Jeff's sister. But an airport person in a suit said it took a card (probably pre-paid card) to use that phone. So he called Leslie and helped me hook up with her and even took me to her car. So helpful. See what I mean by going out of their way??????
And so I spent the rest of the day with Leslie and her family and had a great time. It was really hazy in Dubai, but Leslie drove me around so I saw the highlights. We spent some time running kids while she answered my questions about Islam. Leslie's husband is Palestinian I'm told, but I think maybe he was raised in Jordan as that is where he would like to retire when the time comes. He went to undergrad at Vincennes University here in Indiana and got his Master's at University of Dayton, which is where he met Leslie, I think. The whole family was very friendly, and I enjoyed my time with them. There are two girls-maybe 16 and 19 and two boys ages 7 and 12. There is another daughter married and living in Arizona who is a doctor looking for a residency in orthopedic surgery, I think. She was doing general surgery in Dubai. The fam has been in Dubai for 16 years. Did I mention how great the fruit is in this area of the world????
The pineapple is to die for. The orange and banana I had at Leslie's were great. There was also a fruit which has a spiny outside (which you do not eat) and a delicious inside. She also made some Arab food? which was very tasty and not spicy--chicken, rice, eggplant, and cauliflower I think. Yum! We also went to a mall which was cool. Literally. But they also had great shops and underground parking so the car didn't get hot. It was only 43 degrees centigrade which is somewhere around 105 degrees farenheit. Fortunately, very low humdity.
Leslie dropped me back at the airport about 9:30 PM for my midnight flight. And this is the part of the airport which is truly amazing. Shop after shop after shop. They are forecasting $1 billion in sales for this year. I think there were also places to eat, but I certainly wasn't hungry. I upgraded my flight to Economy Plus so I had a lot more (it's all relative) wiggle room and empty seats on both sides of me. There was a continuous map which showed the flightpath and gave vital statistics such as airspeed, altitude, outside temp, etc. Kind of cool. We definitely did not take the most direct route as we flew over Turkey, Warsaw, Poland, the Norwegian Straits (?) just south of Scandinavia, north of England, the Atlantic, just south of Iceland, and then down the interior of the East Coast. ie we were inland aways and not over water. The flight was uneventful. We had dinner in the wee small hours. A snack later. And then breakfast before flying into DC. It's really hard to be focussing on fruits and vegetables when whoever makes the food is not, but I only took one teeny bite of the chocolate brownie served with something. I just remembered that I was asleep during dinner so the brownie wasn't during dinner. Maybe I just dreamed about a brownie? I remember that there was fresh fruit with breakfast though. This flight was 14 hours long, and at one point the map said we had a headwind of 100mph which tends to slow down one's airspeed.
So then we deplane and head for immigration. Everyone was well-behaved and somewhat subdued after a 14 hour flight except for the guy from the US Embassy in Baghdad who badmouthed everyone and everything in sight. No wonder people have bad opinions of us when people from the US--not just this guy--are rude, crude and unattractive.
No problems at all until Chicago where there was a little bit of a delay due to a mechanical problem. My luggage didn't arrive in South Bend with me. BUT I had the greatest welcome in the world at the South Bend airport. Jenny and all four kids came to greet me, bringing hugs, flowers, and balloons. There's nothing like being welcomed home by your grandchildren and daughter-in-law!!!!
I haven't had a whole lot of problem readjusting although I have been in bed by 8 PM every night. I've been walking the last 4 days. And yesterday, I overdid myself running around, having lunch with Mrs. J. and going shopping with her. But I am taking it easy as recommended by Dr. Baji.
I have been asked if I would do this fabulous trip again. I would. I had a fantastic time--not withstanding the medication-- learning about another culture, meeting people, seeing things and doing things I never would have seen or done otherwise. The movie star--whom my Indian doctor here had heard of--and her friend Maya thought Amelia and I were both positively nuts for our response to the elephant so we were at least entertaining in that respect. Oh, yeah, the Ayurveda was cool, too.
Thanks for reading. I will occasionally keep you updated with regard to the aftermath of the Ayurveda. Probably not more than once a month. I will try to do that on the 12th of the month so you won't have to check everyday.
Love and blessings to all.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny etc.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
June 10, 2009 addendum
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 addendum
28 days with no chocolate, no diet coke, no watch, and very little TV.
I gave the women a tip today, and it seemed they really appreciated it. After 4 weeks it is hard to say good-bye. Dr. Baji gave me medication to take with me. No diet restrictions. Eat more fruits and vegetables and use the 25/75% split and walk.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy
28 days with no chocolate, no diet coke, no watch, and very little TV.
I gave the women a tip today, and it seemed they really appreciated it. After 4 weeks it is hard to say good-bye. Dr. Baji gave me medication to take with me. No diet restrictions. Eat more fruits and vegetables and use the 25/75% split and walk.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009--Day 28
You are NOT going to believe this!!!!!!!!!! I asked Colonel Babu about having an elephant come here because I saw one in the pictures of the grand opening and because Dr. Baji said they used to do that. That was only last night! And do you believe...this morning about 9 AM an elephant came. We were able to pet it and feed it. Amelia rode on it! She had to climb up on him, and I didn't think I was that limber so I just watched. They are huge! This one is 35 years old and looks to be about 20 feet high. Of course, the Indian patients couldn't see what all the excitement was about. They see elephants at nearly every festival, and there are a lot of festivals. So cool. The trainers seemed pretty confident the elephant wouldn't do us any harm, but I understand that you never know. Lots of elephant pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of the three patients from India--including the movie star and friend. They really get in to this servant thing. I'm sure that the two ladies probably have several servants at home. But poor Kirish is kept running with this, that and the other thing. I just don't care for the tone of voice they use.
And last night we had a fantastic performance by a group of drummers and cymbal players. They played for over an hour--never stopping. Groups like this and the drums they use are unique to Kerala. The Colonel and Dr. Baji stayed for the performance. There was lighting all around the stage by the yoga hut--not candles, but whatever they burn at the temples in the prayer candles. There were 6 drummers and two cymbal players. Small symbols. I first thought they might be lids from pans (like pots and pans), but they were real cymbals. 4 of the drummers kept the time, and the two main players would trade off or sometimes play at the same time. One would play and the other would copy it and so forth. It kind of loses something in my description, but it was really great!
Today is my last post from India. I leave tomorrow morning at 6 AM on a 2 1/2 hour ride to the Cochin Airport. From there it is 4 hours to Dubai, an 11 1/2 layover during which time Jeff's sister is going to show me around. Then I think David said it's a 14 hour flight to Washington, DC, and then on to Chicago and South Bend. I'm guessing it will be about 36 hours from start to finish. And I will blog whenever I can see straight about Dubai. I hope you have enjoyed reading these blogs. For me, it is writing about things when they happen so I will have a written record to go with my 200+ pictures.
Take care.
Love to all,
Mom/Peggy/Granny et al
You are NOT going to believe this!!!!!!!!!! I asked Colonel Babu about having an elephant come here because I saw one in the pictures of the grand opening and because Dr. Baji said they used to do that. That was only last night! And do you believe...this morning about 9 AM an elephant came. We were able to pet it and feed it. Amelia rode on it! She had to climb up on him, and I didn't think I was that limber so I just watched. They are huge! This one is 35 years old and looks to be about 20 feet high. Of course, the Indian patients couldn't see what all the excitement was about. They see elephants at nearly every festival, and there are a lot of festivals. So cool. The trainers seemed pretty confident the elephant wouldn't do us any harm, but I understand that you never know. Lots of elephant pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of the three patients from India--including the movie star and friend. They really get in to this servant thing. I'm sure that the two ladies probably have several servants at home. But poor Kirish is kept running with this, that and the other thing. I just don't care for the tone of voice they use.
And last night we had a fantastic performance by a group of drummers and cymbal players. They played for over an hour--never stopping. Groups like this and the drums they use are unique to Kerala. The Colonel and Dr. Baji stayed for the performance. There was lighting all around the stage by the yoga hut--not candles, but whatever they burn at the temples in the prayer candles. There were 6 drummers and two cymbal players. Small symbols. I first thought they might be lids from pans (like pots and pans), but they were real cymbals. 4 of the drummers kept the time, and the two main players would trade off or sometimes play at the same time. One would play and the other would copy it and so forth. It kind of loses something in my description, but it was really great!
Today is my last post from India. I leave tomorrow morning at 6 AM on a 2 1/2 hour ride to the Cochin Airport. From there it is 4 hours to Dubai, an 11 1/2 layover during which time Jeff's sister is going to show me around. Then I think David said it's a 14 hour flight to Washington, DC, and then on to Chicago and South Bend. I'm guessing it will be about 36 hours from start to finish. And I will blog whenever I can see straight about Dubai. I hope you have enjoyed reading these blogs. For me, it is writing about things when they happen so I will have a written record to go with my 200+ pictures.
Take care.
Love to all,
Mom/Peggy/Granny et al
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009--Day 27
Since I have only recently discovered how to read the comments on my own--David helped me with a couple before he left, I feel the need to respond to some of them now.
Dave, Sr.: Do you know what you are doing to your heart eating a McDonald's? Quarter pounder and cheese (or something just as deadly) a shake, and I can't remember what else. Not to mention what may have happened to me if I had read that on May 16. I probably would have come back with David and missed all those massages and sitting her typing with Jasmine in my hair. Seriously, glad you are enjoying the blog. I enjoy writing it as well. This way I write down things as they happen, and I will have a travelogue (The King's English) to refer to in the future.
Bob: By all means, put my condo up for sale.
Questions asked:
How is my health? Actually I didn't think there was anything wrong with it in the first place. Granted I could take better care of myself than I do, and I do plan to do that in the future. Everyone my age has aches and pains even if we don't talk about it. Has my health improved since being here? Probably, since I have dropped at least 7 kilos. And what better way than to eat, sleep, walk, have two massages/day, read--a lot, have stimulating conversations with Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu, and learn about a foreign culture.
My mental health? I remarked before the end of the first week that I hadn't felt so peaceful since I went to prison. (THAT ought to get some people talking.) I have really enjoyed my walks and meeting people and my road trips. The environment is very different from everything I've heard from other people and from everything I previously knew about India which wasn't very much. I have only done email with my family electing not to answer any college or association emails. Much less stress that way. And I feel good!!!!!!
What is the science behind Ayurveda? Between 5,000 and 10,000 years of practice. There is no way to measure preventive medicine. Also, I think I addressed how there can't be a standard for medications like in the States because each doctor tailor's his medications to his individual patients.
Toxin elimination? Definitely toxin elimination because for a long time there was considerably more output than input. When I perspire, for example, I don't taste salt although I have applied more salt to my food than ever in my life. Normally I don't add salt except on hard boiled eggs.
Toxin elimination has been easily managed.
Benefits to massage? This is not muscle massage. I'm sure there is imjprovement in circulation. Ayurveda is centered about heat so much of the treatment such as application of hot oil is about making you sweat. It's not uncomfortable, but I know I am doing well when I sweat.
Dr. Baji said that we should massage our skin when we return home to help with circulation.
Skin Texture? By the end of Day 3 my skin was softer than baby Sam's. Dr. Baji says that our lotions, etc. don't really do the trick. He suggested coconut oil and massage. Hope I can find some at a reasonable price.
And so...Amelia is leaving on Sunday. She will take a few days in N. Kerala and then a few days beachside in Cochin before returning to Austria. She is full of life and a joy to be around. She told me that she couldn't understand me at first. And she thought, "Oh, these Americans." But now I don't think there is any language barrier for us.
Faritta's friend came today. I haven't met her yet, but I understand her son is India's heartthrob in the cinema.
Just in case the internet is not working tomorrow--my last day--, I will blog after I return to the States to tell you about the trip and my time in Dubai.
(I cannot believe that the internet has worked for 2 straight hours for me. Amazing!)
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Since I have only recently discovered how to read the comments on my own--David helped me with a couple before he left, I feel the need to respond to some of them now.
Dave, Sr.: Do you know what you are doing to your heart eating a McDonald's? Quarter pounder and cheese (or something just as deadly) a shake, and I can't remember what else. Not to mention what may have happened to me if I had read that on May 16. I probably would have come back with David and missed all those massages and sitting her typing with Jasmine in my hair. Seriously, glad you are enjoying the blog. I enjoy writing it as well. This way I write down things as they happen, and I will have a travelogue (The King's English) to refer to in the future.
Bob: By all means, put my condo up for sale.
Questions asked:
How is my health? Actually I didn't think there was anything wrong with it in the first place. Granted I could take better care of myself than I do, and I do plan to do that in the future. Everyone my age has aches and pains even if we don't talk about it. Has my health improved since being here? Probably, since I have dropped at least 7 kilos. And what better way than to eat, sleep, walk, have two massages/day, read--a lot, have stimulating conversations with Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu, and learn about a foreign culture.
My mental health? I remarked before the end of the first week that I hadn't felt so peaceful since I went to prison. (THAT ought to get some people talking.) I have really enjoyed my walks and meeting people and my road trips. The environment is very different from everything I've heard from other people and from everything I previously knew about India which wasn't very much. I have only done email with my family electing not to answer any college or association emails. Much less stress that way. And I feel good!!!!!!
What is the science behind Ayurveda? Between 5,000 and 10,000 years of practice. There is no way to measure preventive medicine. Also, I think I addressed how there can't be a standard for medications like in the States because each doctor tailor's his medications to his individual patients.
Toxin elimination? Definitely toxin elimination because for a long time there was considerably more output than input. When I perspire, for example, I don't taste salt although I have applied more salt to my food than ever in my life. Normally I don't add salt except on hard boiled eggs.
Toxin elimination has been easily managed.
Benefits to massage? This is not muscle massage. I'm sure there is imjprovement in circulation. Ayurveda is centered about heat so much of the treatment such as application of hot oil is about making you sweat. It's not uncomfortable, but I know I am doing well when I sweat.
Dr. Baji said that we should massage our skin when we return home to help with circulation.
Skin Texture? By the end of Day 3 my skin was softer than baby Sam's. Dr. Baji says that our lotions, etc. don't really do the trick. He suggested coconut oil and massage. Hope I can find some at a reasonable price.
And so...Amelia is leaving on Sunday. She will take a few days in N. Kerala and then a few days beachside in Cochin before returning to Austria. She is full of life and a joy to be around. She told me that she couldn't understand me at first. And she thought, "Oh, these Americans." But now I don't think there is any language barrier for us.
Faritta's friend came today. I haven't met her yet, but I understand her son is India's heartthrob in the cinema.
Just in case the internet is not working tomorrow--my last day--, I will blog after I return to the States to tell you about the trip and my time in Dubai.
(I cannot believe that the internet has worked for 2 straight hours for me. Amazing!)
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009--Day 26
Still no chocolate. Still no diet coke. But, alas, I did break down and turn on the TV to see if I could find Roger Federer and the French Open. I didn't, but the paper this morning said he had won--and in only 3 sets!
Are you aware that the US Embassy has a travel advisory for India due to possible terrorism???
Wonderful. And Colonel Babu called a woman this morning asking her to come tomorrow instead of today because some bigwhig in the Kerala government was arrested for murder Saturday night, and there could be problems on the road from Cochin. About the advisory he said we were safe here in Kerala. Hope they get the rest of it cleaned up by 6AM on Thursday. Hate to have to walk 60 Kilometers to the airport.
There is a photo album that Colonel Babu brought showing their opening of Zamorin's Health Retreat. They had an elephant at this shindig. Dr. Baji said he would talk to the Colonel about bringing an elephant over. In the past elephants were walked to wherever they were supposed to be, but now there is a law saying that they have to be transported--they can no longer walk long distances on the roads. If it's hot, it will burn their feet. So now where do you find a truck big enough to transport an elephant? There aren't any. They tried a lorry, which is a three wheeled vehicle--very flimsy--and it turned over when the lorry stopped and the elephant didn't. They also managed to electrocute an elephant because all the electrical wires hang down low. They seem to have a lot of laws here that no one abides by. Bpth the giving of a dowry and the taking of a dowry are punishable, but it still goes on.
Francis-the manager- told us he didn't speak English until he took this job eight months ago. He is doing very well!
The beach where we were is on the Arabian Sea.
I had to come to India to get stung by a wasp. Kathy, one of the technicians, gave me a sari and dressed me up in it. Colonel Babu thought it was great. So I wanted a picture and walked out in the drive. It's not the custom to wear Ryka shoes with a sari so I was taking my shoes off and stepped on a wasp which had been booted off the little porch dying of bug spray. Guess he got the last laugh. Colonel Babu acted as surgeon and got the stinger out. Then the ladies crushed some kind of a leaf and put the results on my toe. It didn't swell and it wasn't painful. I asked for baking soda, but their method worked better.
Someone has asked for my thoughts on Ayurveda. In a way I can equate Ayurveda with psychotherapy. If something didn't work, I tried something else. As far as I'm concerned Eastern medicine, of which Ayurveda is a part, shouldn't just be for Easterners. For my sciatica I tried physical therapy and I tried being nice to the sciatica nerve and I tried subluxation, which is a chiropractic method. They didn't work to my satisfaction. My satisfaction being no pain ever again. I probably won't know for at least six months if this particular treatment is going to work long term so I guess I will be adding to the blog monthly after I leave here just to let you know. With regard to the other issue I am working on, I can tell you it's working. Again, the treatment here is just the beginning. If I follow instructions for six months, I should see much greater progress.
The way they are feeding us is a great way to do what the Surgeon General wants us to do--eat more fruits and vegetables. Nothing wrong with that!
Ayurveda makes sense. I'm not talking necessarily about the ins and outs that you may be reading in a book in the US. Dr. Baji has great concerns about the book I have and others written in a language other than Sanskrit. (sp?) There is no straight translation from Sanscrit (sp--that one doesn't look any better) to English so as good a book as you might think it is, it isn't 100% accurate. NO ONE can diagnose another person in Ayurveda other than an ayurvedically-trained doctor. And no one should be treating someone with Ayurveda who is not an ayurvedically-trained doctor.
Also, yoga is included in the wholistic-method used here. I don't know if that is normally part of Ayurveda or not, but my guess is that they go hand-in-hand. Ayurveda is over 5000 years old and is volume after volume of material. There are 7 vedas. No 1/2 inch book in English is going to fill the bill. It may lay the foundation for you, but nothing else.
I have not seen, heard, or done anything that does not make sense while I have been here. Admittedly, eastern medicine is totally different from Western medicine so it takes some getting used to. But if it works, why not. BTW: Dr. Baji would much prefer getting people in the EARLY stages of their serious illnesses rather than after all modern medicine avenues have been tried to no avail.
I don't know if this answers the 'thoughts on Ayurveda' question. If it doesn't, email me or leave a coment on the blog.
Just about time for treatment.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/et al
I swear I can smell a hamburger cooking somewhere.
Still no chocolate. Still no diet coke. But, alas, I did break down and turn on the TV to see if I could find Roger Federer and the French Open. I didn't, but the paper this morning said he had won--and in only 3 sets!
Are you aware that the US Embassy has a travel advisory for India due to possible terrorism???
Wonderful. And Colonel Babu called a woman this morning asking her to come tomorrow instead of today because some bigwhig in the Kerala government was arrested for murder Saturday night, and there could be problems on the road from Cochin. About the advisory he said we were safe here in Kerala. Hope they get the rest of it cleaned up by 6AM on Thursday. Hate to have to walk 60 Kilometers to the airport.
There is a photo album that Colonel Babu brought showing their opening of Zamorin's Health Retreat. They had an elephant at this shindig. Dr. Baji said he would talk to the Colonel about bringing an elephant over. In the past elephants were walked to wherever they were supposed to be, but now there is a law saying that they have to be transported--they can no longer walk long distances on the roads. If it's hot, it will burn their feet. So now where do you find a truck big enough to transport an elephant? There aren't any. They tried a lorry, which is a three wheeled vehicle--very flimsy--and it turned over when the lorry stopped and the elephant didn't. They also managed to electrocute an elephant because all the electrical wires hang down low. They seem to have a lot of laws here that no one abides by. Bpth the giving of a dowry and the taking of a dowry are punishable, but it still goes on.
Francis-the manager- told us he didn't speak English until he took this job eight months ago. He is doing very well!
The beach where we were is on the Arabian Sea.
I had to come to India to get stung by a wasp. Kathy, one of the technicians, gave me a sari and dressed me up in it. Colonel Babu thought it was great. So I wanted a picture and walked out in the drive. It's not the custom to wear Ryka shoes with a sari so I was taking my shoes off and stepped on a wasp which had been booted off the little porch dying of bug spray. Guess he got the last laugh. Colonel Babu acted as surgeon and got the stinger out. Then the ladies crushed some kind of a leaf and put the results on my toe. It didn't swell and it wasn't painful. I asked for baking soda, but their method worked better.
Someone has asked for my thoughts on Ayurveda. In a way I can equate Ayurveda with psychotherapy. If something didn't work, I tried something else. As far as I'm concerned Eastern medicine, of which Ayurveda is a part, shouldn't just be for Easterners. For my sciatica I tried physical therapy and I tried being nice to the sciatica nerve and I tried subluxation, which is a chiropractic method. They didn't work to my satisfaction. My satisfaction being no pain ever again. I probably won't know for at least six months if this particular treatment is going to work long term so I guess I will be adding to the blog monthly after I leave here just to let you know. With regard to the other issue I am working on, I can tell you it's working. Again, the treatment here is just the beginning. If I follow instructions for six months, I should see much greater progress.
The way they are feeding us is a great way to do what the Surgeon General wants us to do--eat more fruits and vegetables. Nothing wrong with that!
Ayurveda makes sense. I'm not talking necessarily about the ins and outs that you may be reading in a book in the US. Dr. Baji has great concerns about the book I have and others written in a language other than Sanskrit. (sp?) There is no straight translation from Sanscrit (sp--that one doesn't look any better) to English so as good a book as you might think it is, it isn't 100% accurate. NO ONE can diagnose another person in Ayurveda other than an ayurvedically-trained doctor. And no one should be treating someone with Ayurveda who is not an ayurvedically-trained doctor.
Also, yoga is included in the wholistic-method used here. I don't know if that is normally part of Ayurveda or not, but my guess is that they go hand-in-hand. Ayurveda is over 5000 years old and is volume after volume of material. There are 7 vedas. No 1/2 inch book in English is going to fill the bill. It may lay the foundation for you, but nothing else.
I have not seen, heard, or done anything that does not make sense while I have been here. Admittedly, eastern medicine is totally different from Western medicine so it takes some getting used to. But if it works, why not. BTW: Dr. Baji would much prefer getting people in the EARLY stages of their serious illnesses rather than after all modern medicine avenues have been tried to no avail.
I don't know if this answers the 'thoughts on Ayurveda' question. If it doesn't, email me or leave a coment on the blog.
Just about time for treatment.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/et al
I swear I can smell a hamburger cooking somewhere.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009--Day 25
To finish up on the topic of Government which I started yesterday:
The biggest mistake made by the Communist Government as far as helping the people is that there has been no industry created and no foreign investment. There are many educated people in Kerala but no jobs for them. People here do not pick up and move for jobs. They might temporarily go to school in another place like Dr. Baji spending 14 years in Chennai getting his medical/ayurvedic training. But otherwise you stay where you were born. Please don't think that I am in favor of communism. It's just in this case it has benefitted the vast majority of the people.
Other tidbits:
Everyone here calls me Madame.
STD does not mean sexually transmitted disease. It is the place where there is a phone and a post office. I'm trying to get a picture of the many signs. At first I thought, Wow! There sure are a lot of STD clinics around here.
Faritti's friend missed her flight so she won't come in until tomorrow.
I now know what a monsoon is. For the past two days there have been brief periods when there is no rain. Brief periods when there is light rain. And many periods where it absolutely pours. It was so hard earlier that I thought there was hail--but no hail. That would be a real sight here in India. The rain is still warm so if I go for a walk and it starts raining, it isn't a bother. This morning a woman sheltered me with her umbrella until we got to her house where her husband told her to give me the umbrella. I told her that I couldn't take her umbrella--I might never find her house again. There are water shortages here in India on a regular basis so the people don't mind the rain. There is a river in N. Kerala that people are afraid will disappear because so many people are drawing from it for drinking water and other uses. The river is now very low and only 20 feet across. There used to be a lot more ponds and backwaters according to Colonel Babu, but they have either been filled in or used up. Dr. Baji said when he was a child everyone knew how to swim because they would hang out at the local watering hole swimming and playing. Now the children do not know how to swim. A couple of years ago 18 children were on a field trip with their teachers, and the boat overturned drowning everyone. Now the government is saying that at least some of the schools have to have swimming pools and teach children to swim. I am positive that not all schools have complied so I don't know if just high schools or what. He made his children and wife take swimming lessons this year at one such swimming pool.
Well, it's Sunday. My last Sunday. The internet usually lasts long enough for me to get excited before it poops out.
Speaking of poop. Five students at one of the technical colleges have figured out a way to make elephant poop into paper. I'm NOT kidding. This is super for more reasons than one. Remember the elephant farm we went to with 60+ elephants? Your average elephant poops about 400 pounds of poop a day so the poop plant will take care of a lot of that. PLUS, there is great concern about the deforestation that is taking place in order to make paper. 80 tons of paper can be produced from 350 tons of elephant poop saving 2000 trees. Well, I don't know if you had fun reading that, but I surely was laughing while I was writing it.
This is probably not the best time to tell you that I finally learned how to read comments from the readers. Although it doesn't always work or I can't always find the right thing to click on.
Sorry, Jenny. The word poop just makes it so much more fun than the word dung.
I hope you all have a pleasant day.
Love,
Mom, Peggy, Granny, et al
To finish up on the topic of Government which I started yesterday:
The biggest mistake made by the Communist Government as far as helping the people is that there has been no industry created and no foreign investment. There are many educated people in Kerala but no jobs for them. People here do not pick up and move for jobs. They might temporarily go to school in another place like Dr. Baji spending 14 years in Chennai getting his medical/ayurvedic training. But otherwise you stay where you were born. Please don't think that I am in favor of communism. It's just in this case it has benefitted the vast majority of the people.
Other tidbits:
Everyone here calls me Madame.
STD does not mean sexually transmitted disease. It is the place where there is a phone and a post office. I'm trying to get a picture of the many signs. At first I thought, Wow! There sure are a lot of STD clinics around here.
Faritti's friend missed her flight so she won't come in until tomorrow.
I now know what a monsoon is. For the past two days there have been brief periods when there is no rain. Brief periods when there is light rain. And many periods where it absolutely pours. It was so hard earlier that I thought there was hail--but no hail. That would be a real sight here in India. The rain is still warm so if I go for a walk and it starts raining, it isn't a bother. This morning a woman sheltered me with her umbrella until we got to her house where her husband told her to give me the umbrella. I told her that I couldn't take her umbrella--I might never find her house again. There are water shortages here in India on a regular basis so the people don't mind the rain. There is a river in N. Kerala that people are afraid will disappear because so many people are drawing from it for drinking water and other uses. The river is now very low and only 20 feet across. There used to be a lot more ponds and backwaters according to Colonel Babu, but they have either been filled in or used up. Dr. Baji said when he was a child everyone knew how to swim because they would hang out at the local watering hole swimming and playing. Now the children do not know how to swim. A couple of years ago 18 children were on a field trip with their teachers, and the boat overturned drowning everyone. Now the government is saying that at least some of the schools have to have swimming pools and teach children to swim. I am positive that not all schools have complied so I don't know if just high schools or what. He made his children and wife take swimming lessons this year at one such swimming pool.
Well, it's Sunday. My last Sunday. The internet usually lasts long enough for me to get excited before it poops out.
Speaking of poop. Five students at one of the technical colleges have figured out a way to make elephant poop into paper. I'm NOT kidding. This is super for more reasons than one. Remember the elephant farm we went to with 60+ elephants? Your average elephant poops about 400 pounds of poop a day so the poop plant will take care of a lot of that. PLUS, there is great concern about the deforestation that is taking place in order to make paper. 80 tons of paper can be produced from 350 tons of elephant poop saving 2000 trees. Well, I don't know if you had fun reading that, but I surely was laughing while I was writing it.
This is probably not the best time to tell you that I finally learned how to read comments from the readers. Although it doesn't always work or I can't always find the right thing to click on.
Sorry, Jenny. The word poop just makes it so much more fun than the word dung.
I hope you all have a pleasant day.
Love,
Mom, Peggy, Granny, et al
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009--Day 24, I think.
The place is getting crowded. Yesterday Gerhard from Switzerland came in. He's 46. I think he said he was in Information Technology for 20 years, majored in law and political science, considers himself a professor (but doesn't teach anymore), but has an international PR consulting firm. His English is very good.
We met the movie star at breakfast this morning. Faritti is how the name sounds. She's at least as old as me, but looks to have had some work done. Her English also is good. As as group we don't feel really comfortable with her, but it's getting better. Her friend (female, I think) is coming tomorrow and requested the same room Adam is in so he graciously agreed to move. His new room is by the computer I use, and it has an internet hookup so he is fine with it.
If another woman comes in tomorrow, I honestly don't see how the female technicians are going to handle it time-wise. All the staff, except Francis, pretty much work everyday of the year except for Festival time in August. Festival is 10 days long, but I don't know if they get all 10 days off.
Topic for the Day: Government in Kerala
The present day state of Kerala was formed in 1956 from three other states. As I've told you, it is probably the wealthiest state in all of India. In 1957 (remember that India won Independence from the British in 1947.) "Kerala had the first freely elected communist government in the world" and the communists have been in power ever since. But this appears to be the best of communism because it really has been good for the people. The government is socialist, and it
has been very beneficial. Whereas it used to be that all of the land was owned by 5% of the people, it is changing. 91% of it's people are literate as compared to the rest of India at 46%. All children are supposed to go to school. Of course, the schools the poor children go to are not as good as the ones the rich kids go to if only because the former go to government schools whereas the latter have access to private schools. There are programs to give 25 kilos (Xs 2.2 lbs) of rice to below poverty families. It is not expensive to go on in school, but you do have to pass entry exams. There is affirmative action in place much like we had before.
Treatment times have changed with the addition of a person so I have to go.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
The place is getting crowded. Yesterday Gerhard from Switzerland came in. He's 46. I think he said he was in Information Technology for 20 years, majored in law and political science, considers himself a professor (but doesn't teach anymore), but has an international PR consulting firm. His English is very good.
We met the movie star at breakfast this morning. Faritti is how the name sounds. She's at least as old as me, but looks to have had some work done. Her English also is good. As as group we don't feel really comfortable with her, but it's getting better. Her friend (female, I think) is coming tomorrow and requested the same room Adam is in so he graciously agreed to move. His new room is by the computer I use, and it has an internet hookup so he is fine with it.
If another woman comes in tomorrow, I honestly don't see how the female technicians are going to handle it time-wise. All the staff, except Francis, pretty much work everyday of the year except for Festival time in August. Festival is 10 days long, but I don't know if they get all 10 days off.
Topic for the Day: Government in Kerala
The present day state of Kerala was formed in 1956 from three other states. As I've told you, it is probably the wealthiest state in all of India. In 1957 (remember that India won Independence from the British in 1947.) "Kerala had the first freely elected communist government in the world" and the communists have been in power ever since. But this appears to be the best of communism because it really has been good for the people. The government is socialist, and it
has been very beneficial. Whereas it used to be that all of the land was owned by 5% of the people, it is changing. 91% of it's people are literate as compared to the rest of India at 46%. All children are supposed to go to school. Of course, the schools the poor children go to are not as good as the ones the rich kids go to if only because the former go to government schools whereas the latter have access to private schools. There are programs to give 25 kilos (Xs 2.2 lbs) of rice to below poverty families. It is not expensive to go on in school, but you do have to pass entry exams. There is affirmative action in place much like we had before.
Treatment times have changed with the addition of a person so I have to go.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009--Day 23, I think.
The internet has been a problem for me the last two days. Apparently it's available at 1 and 2 AM--according to Adam. But to get to the computer at that hour, I would have to step over sleeping bodies. Anyway, that's why the blog hasn't been published the last two days.
I'M PUBLISHED. When you apply for a teaching position at a place like Indiana University, Purdue University, Michigan, Texas A + M, IUSB, Stanford, they want to know what you have published (most generally in the way of scholarly research). So now I am published in the arena of cultural education!
A couple of days ago Amelia and I went shopping and to the beach. Amelia is a shopper. I am not. But she was having so much fun, how could I get upset? She even bargained with the shop owners! And that was AFTER Francis got them to take off 5%! I found some bracelets for Ella and Lauren. Most of the kids don't seem to have toys here, and the toys in the shops were junk. Very poor quality. Made of plastic, but I was afraid they would break on the way back to the States so I am still looking for Keagan and Sam. I found a book in English, which I think Keagan could have read with help, but the subject matter was probably not going to be appropriate. I definitely haven't found anything I thought was safe enough to give Sam. (A man tried to sell me a book in English about Kerala, which I probably would have liked, but he wanted 1600 rupees--Manufacturer's Retail Price--which is about $35 US, and it definitely wasn't worth that. And I only had 400 + rupees anyway. So, saved by the rupee.)
The only toy I have seen a child play with besides a bicycle here is a stick and an old bike tire, which is like my father played with when he was a kid--a hoop and a stick. Amelia bought the kids a ball. I didn't think of it or I would have, too. I was thinking of sending them some whiffle balls, but I will have to check on import issues before I do that.
Back to the story: Our taxi driver was recently returned from Dubai where he was one of the people from Kerala who went there for the money for his family. He spent 15 years there, coming home every two years for two months. He said there are a lot of Americans in Dubai. His reason for returning to Kerala was that Dubai had gotten two expensive for him. Colonel Babu told us that they sleep in rooms of 15 to 20 men so he must have been sending almost all his money back here. He was driving a Toyota Minivan which looked fairly new--I'm not a good judge of such things. My Accord looks new to me. It had air conditioning, thank heaven, because it was an afternoon of very high humidity. The windows were roll down windows as are all vehicles with windows here. And no safety features like airbags. BTW: that afternoon was the first time I had seen someone lose their temper in the driving. It wasn't our driver. It was someone helping someone turn this big old truck around in the middle of an intersection, which is a nearly impossible thing to do.
At the market, we found a place for Amelia to buy a sari and a whatever it's called for her husband made out of really high quality cotton. Remember I told you that Indian cotton has a higher quality than cotton from England? We looked in some other shops then walked by the Hindu temple we were not allowed to enter. As we walked past it the first time, there was no sign of police. As we walked back there were TWO. One was following us! I guess we're dangerous. He would not allow us to take pictures of this smaller pool within a humongous pool attached to the temple ostensibly because people were bathing. Their private parts were covered, but... You would need a telescopic lens to even see that. So I didn't take a picture.
On the walk back to the car we came across our first beggar--an old lady who was not happy with whatever amount Amelia gave here. On the street there are vendors roasting peanuts--kind of like the chestnut vendors in London. We aren't allowed to eat or drink anything off the street. I did take my water bottle so I stayed more or less hydrated.
Next we went to the beach where there was a stiff wind blowing. It was a fisherman's beach, meaning they put out from this beach to fish and return to this beach with their catch. On the 15th of June they are not allowed to fish for 45 days in order to protect the spawning of lots of different types of fish, crabs, etc. A hardship for them. The beach is very steep and there is a strong undertow so not many people get in the water past their knees. There were only a few children in the water and no adults. There were lots of people on the beach, however. The beach is not groomed except by the tides so there was quite a bit of litter and small sticks such that I didn't take my shoes off. I had already been told by Dr. Baji I couldn't go swimming, and it seemed like he wasn't exactly thrilled about walking in the water either. "You are still in treatment." Two nice young men dressed in western clothing came up to us to practice their English. One was an English teacher; the other was his student He had a belt on which said USA. Their English was most definitely better than the English teacher who helped me find my way back to Zamorin a couple of weeks ago. I asked them how they knew we might be the only English-speaking people on the beach? Joke. We were the only two with white skin on the whole beach. (Francis was within two yards of us the whole time.) Amelia wanted to wait to watch the sun go down, and I love the beach so we had time to talk to these two. I kept looking at Francis to make sure it was okay. He wasn't concerned until a third man joined us. He was a fisherman--and proud of it. After about two minutes, Francis moved us away because he was concerned that more people would join us, and who knows what could happen. He is in charge of our safety so we left and walked back down the beach and waited for the sunset, which was ok.
The boats these fishermen use are shaped like canoes, maybe 20 feet long, no motor, maybe 3-4 feet deep. Not as deep as I am tall. They use nets. Made of heavy wood. I would think it's a hard life. Made harder by the ban on fishing.
Have to go to treatment. It was soooooooo gooooooood to have some communication!!!!!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/et.al.
The internet has been a problem for me the last two days. Apparently it's available at 1 and 2 AM--according to Adam. But to get to the computer at that hour, I would have to step over sleeping bodies. Anyway, that's why the blog hasn't been published the last two days.
I'M PUBLISHED. When you apply for a teaching position at a place like Indiana University, Purdue University, Michigan, Texas A + M, IUSB, Stanford, they want to know what you have published (most generally in the way of scholarly research). So now I am published in the arena of cultural education!
A couple of days ago Amelia and I went shopping and to the beach. Amelia is a shopper. I am not. But she was having so much fun, how could I get upset? She even bargained with the shop owners! And that was AFTER Francis got them to take off 5%! I found some bracelets for Ella and Lauren. Most of the kids don't seem to have toys here, and the toys in the shops were junk. Very poor quality. Made of plastic, but I was afraid they would break on the way back to the States so I am still looking for Keagan and Sam. I found a book in English, which I think Keagan could have read with help, but the subject matter was probably not going to be appropriate. I definitely haven't found anything I thought was safe enough to give Sam. (A man tried to sell me a book in English about Kerala, which I probably would have liked, but he wanted 1600 rupees--Manufacturer's Retail Price--which is about $35 US, and it definitely wasn't worth that. And I only had 400 + rupees anyway. So, saved by the rupee.)
The only toy I have seen a child play with besides a bicycle here is a stick and an old bike tire, which is like my father played with when he was a kid--a hoop and a stick. Amelia bought the kids a ball. I didn't think of it or I would have, too. I was thinking of sending them some whiffle balls, but I will have to check on import issues before I do that.
Back to the story: Our taxi driver was recently returned from Dubai where he was one of the people from Kerala who went there for the money for his family. He spent 15 years there, coming home every two years for two months. He said there are a lot of Americans in Dubai. His reason for returning to Kerala was that Dubai had gotten two expensive for him. Colonel Babu told us that they sleep in rooms of 15 to 20 men so he must have been sending almost all his money back here. He was driving a Toyota Minivan which looked fairly new--I'm not a good judge of such things. My Accord looks new to me. It had air conditioning, thank heaven, because it was an afternoon of very high humidity. The windows were roll down windows as are all vehicles with windows here. And no safety features like airbags. BTW: that afternoon was the first time I had seen someone lose their temper in the driving. It wasn't our driver. It was someone helping someone turn this big old truck around in the middle of an intersection, which is a nearly impossible thing to do.
At the market, we found a place for Amelia to buy a sari and a whatever it's called for her husband made out of really high quality cotton. Remember I told you that Indian cotton has a higher quality than cotton from England? We looked in some other shops then walked by the Hindu temple we were not allowed to enter. As we walked past it the first time, there was no sign of police. As we walked back there were TWO. One was following us! I guess we're dangerous. He would not allow us to take pictures of this smaller pool within a humongous pool attached to the temple ostensibly because people were bathing. Their private parts were covered, but... You would need a telescopic lens to even see that. So I didn't take a picture.
On the walk back to the car we came across our first beggar--an old lady who was not happy with whatever amount Amelia gave here. On the street there are vendors roasting peanuts--kind of like the chestnut vendors in London. We aren't allowed to eat or drink anything off the street. I did take my water bottle so I stayed more or less hydrated.
Next we went to the beach where there was a stiff wind blowing. It was a fisherman's beach, meaning they put out from this beach to fish and return to this beach with their catch. On the 15th of June they are not allowed to fish for 45 days in order to protect the spawning of lots of different types of fish, crabs, etc. A hardship for them. The beach is very steep and there is a strong undertow so not many people get in the water past their knees. There were only a few children in the water and no adults. There were lots of people on the beach, however. The beach is not groomed except by the tides so there was quite a bit of litter and small sticks such that I didn't take my shoes off. I had already been told by Dr. Baji I couldn't go swimming, and it seemed like he wasn't exactly thrilled about walking in the water either. "You are still in treatment." Two nice young men dressed in western clothing came up to us to practice their English. One was an English teacher; the other was his student He had a belt on which said USA. Their English was most definitely better than the English teacher who helped me find my way back to Zamorin a couple of weeks ago. I asked them how they knew we might be the only English-speaking people on the beach? Joke. We were the only two with white skin on the whole beach. (Francis was within two yards of us the whole time.) Amelia wanted to wait to watch the sun go down, and I love the beach so we had time to talk to these two. I kept looking at Francis to make sure it was okay. He wasn't concerned until a third man joined us. He was a fisherman--and proud of it. After about two minutes, Francis moved us away because he was concerned that more people would join us, and who knows what could happen. He is in charge of our safety so we left and walked back down the beach and waited for the sunset, which was ok.
The boats these fishermen use are shaped like canoes, maybe 20 feet long, no motor, maybe 3-4 feet deep. Not as deep as I am tall. They use nets. Made of heavy wood. I would think it's a hard life. Made harder by the ban on fishing.
Have to go to treatment. It was soooooooo gooooooood to have some communication!!!!!
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/et.al.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009--Day 20
I read David/s blog yesterday, and he did an excellent job of describing Ayurveda! So, if you haven't read it, I recommend that you do.
The palace has two patient rooms of which I was unaware. Both are on the bottom floor. We have a man named Gerhard coming on Friday and a famous female actress from India coming on Sunday so it will be a full house for a few days. Only one bedroom will remain unoccupied. Dr. Baji said that they had had 30+ people in the last 6-9 months. Some stay 2 weeks. Others stay as long as 2 months.
Before David left, the ladies gave me a bindi. The red dot you sometimes see on women of Indian origin in the States. Moslems do not wear them. Only Hindus. I consider it an honor for them to give me one to wear. All of the staff have said something about it, and the village people seem to appreciate it even on a white American. There is apparently no special significance to it. It's mostly decoration, but it also means that I have been accepted by the lady technicians.
Being basted like a turkey is supposed to be good for sciatica and whatever else may ail you. The oil is fresh every three days and is made especially for me. Everyone's oil is unique to that person. It's probably what was simmering in the three-foot diameter kettle in Dr. Baji's factory when we were there.
No field trips since David left.
Should any of you be thinking about trying Ayurveda, please do not go to one of the sites in the States. At $700/day, it is not cost effective because your insurance is not going to pay it. Also, it is illegal to export any of the fresh Ayurveda herbs or roots to other countries. So, if you go in the States, you basically get massages and little else of value. Besides, where could you possibly have the cultural experience that goes with this place?????????
Dr. Baji and the Colonel generally come for a couple of hours every day except Sunday. Among other topics, integrity was the one for last night. Also, I asked how they got together to pull this off, and it turns out they are cousins. I think the way it goes is that Colonel Babu's father is Dr. Baji's mother's brother. It also turns out that Dr. Baji's father is a quite famous author of short stories as well as information about Ayurveda toxicology. One of his books has been honored with a prestigious award--don't know which one though.
The people here in Kerala are considered black due to the darkness of their skin, but they don't have any of the other features of blacks. Many long years ago, this section of India broke off from Africa. So there are all different color levels with the whites being in the North. My doctor in Mishawaka has the last name of Singh, which means she is Sikh and very light skin (white.)
It has been so good to learn all of these things about India and her people. The other wealthy state is Punjab where there have been riots having to do with politics, I think.
If a man asks the daughter's father for a dowry, there is a very stiff legal consequence. As I told you, dowries are illegal, but still everyone subscribes to giving a dowry. Wow be unto men with lots of daughters because dowries are very expensive. The older of David's two technicians just had one of his daughters return to his house with three daughters of her own because her husband ran off. The man already has another 3 daughters to marry off. Now he is responsible for 6 more dowries.
I think I fell asleep in Yoga today.
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny et al.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009--Day 19
Today I did go for a walk--only 35 minutes, but going for a walk and seeing new things is the exciting part. Everyday is pretty much the same here except on Sunday when thre is no yoga and Colonel Babu and Dr. Baji are just here for a short time. Boring!!!
Kirish went to see his family yesterday--an hour and a half away. He was just like a kid-antxy-until the time to go came. He was back early enough to present us with our medicine at 6:30 this morning. He went by bus. There are lots of buses Greyhound size. There are no windows in the buses. Driving here is akin to kamikaze driving. I would say bumper cars, but I have yet to see an accident. There is a lot of horn-honking, but it is merely to let the pedestrians or other vehicles know where you are. Going around a curve or coming up to a thoroughfare, it is always good to honk your horn before proceeding. The buses don't bully anymore than in the States, mostly because they are slower getting started after a bus stop. That's the time when everyone tries to pass them. But there are so many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I am walking, the vehicle, whether bicycle, tricycle, truck, or bus, always let me know. Like England, they drive on the other side of the street. I've about decided to continue walking on the side I normally do and just stop and wait for the vehicle because a tricycle came as close as he could to me before going around me. When people are getting out of tricycles, it seems to be on the fly if you are a man.
Haven't seen them do that with women or children though.
There are government hospitals here and private hospitals. An American ALWAYS wants to go to a private hospital. In the paper this morning it said that 15 of the government hospitals here were going to be equipped with some version of a powered washing machine. They have been relying on women to hand launder the sheets. If it's like here, the sheets don't always get dry enough to put back on the beds. So the other part of the program is to have 5 sheets per hospital bed. We have never been sheetless here, but sometimes our clothing doesn't get dry enough in one day to give back to us.
Dinner last night was a little sparse (sp). No tomatoes or cucumbers (none for lunch today either). So I had a dry chipotle, a few spoonfuls of soup, and the equivalent of an apple. My stomach still does not settle well with most of the vegetables they give me. I am looking forward to fixing my own food. (If I could only have bananas like Amelia.)
The neighbor family apparently comes over early in the morning and picks up mangoes that have dropped on the ground. Apparently it's okay. The baby must be feeling better as no crying today. BTW children sleep in the parents' room until they are 12 years old. All I've got to say is that some of those bedrooms must be awfully crowded as some families seem to have had babies about every year.
Found out today that Kathy's husband works in the rice fields. It sounds like a lot of the men around here do that although they don't own the land they farm.
Hopefully I'll talk with you tomorrow. I did make a list, but, of course, it is in my room. Still, it's helpful. I don't know if I have enough material for 9 more days.
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny, et al
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009--Day 18
I only have bits and pieces to share today. Sundays are normally slow as there is no yoga. Today is especially slow because the internet has been fickle and because I was told either no walking or I could walk up and down in front of the palace. That consists of about 1 city block of the same scenery, no people, and just boredom in general. Don't think so. The reason for no walking has to do with me having a weak spell on Saturday after breakfast. Dr. Baji didn't want me doing any hills today. Guess it wouldn't be a terrific thing if I fainted on one of the paths or on the road. Today, I've felt fine so I fully intend to walk in the morning.
Lots of people here have cell phones. The palace has a landline, but there is no indication that anyone else has one. Amazing the number of people who do have cell phones.
Real Estate values in Dubai decreased 40% the first three months of 2009 and most construction has now stopped.
Dr. Baji and the Colonel did stop by for a bit yesterday but not long so no stories to tell you there. Heavens! I may be forced to turn on the TV; something I haven't done since I got here. Colonel Babu told David there were 200 channels available. From the newspaper, it looks like a lot of it would be reruns from the 60s like The Rookies although there is a channel for the BBC.
WalMart opened their first Indian store (6000 items) in New Delhi. 15 more to come throughout the country. It appears that any entity wanting to bring in industry or retail must have an Indian partner.
Amelia says she feels a lot better since Dr. Baji told her to stop taking the medication. She currently plans to use this as a home base so she can see other parts of northern India. She's fearless, I tell you.
Adam is Adam. We only see him at meals and when he comes back from treatment. He says his skin is clearing up nicely, and he seems a lot happier. He plans to fly to Bombei from Kocki (Cochin) and then take the train (express, but it still takes 4 hours) to where his extended family is before returning to England. I think Bombei is also called Mumbai which is where the bombing of the train took place. Pakistinian terrorists apparently. India and Pakistan are not best friends. Pakistan apparently has 50 nuclear bombs in its arsenal. The US is crazy for allowing that. Pakistan is probably the least stable country around here.
Have to go while the internet is still cooperating.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/ etc.
Why is it people don't email on weekends?????????????????????????
I only have bits and pieces to share today. Sundays are normally slow as there is no yoga. Today is especially slow because the internet has been fickle and because I was told either no walking or I could walk up and down in front of the palace. That consists of about 1 city block of the same scenery, no people, and just boredom in general. Don't think so. The reason for no walking has to do with me having a weak spell on Saturday after breakfast. Dr. Baji didn't want me doing any hills today. Guess it wouldn't be a terrific thing if I fainted on one of the paths or on the road. Today, I've felt fine so I fully intend to walk in the morning.
Lots of people here have cell phones. The palace has a landline, but there is no indication that anyone else has one. Amazing the number of people who do have cell phones.
Real Estate values in Dubai decreased 40% the first three months of 2009 and most construction has now stopped.
Dr. Baji and the Colonel did stop by for a bit yesterday but not long so no stories to tell you there. Heavens! I may be forced to turn on the TV; something I haven't done since I got here. Colonel Babu told David there were 200 channels available. From the newspaper, it looks like a lot of it would be reruns from the 60s like The Rookies although there is a channel for the BBC.
WalMart opened their first Indian store (6000 items) in New Delhi. 15 more to come throughout the country. It appears that any entity wanting to bring in industry or retail must have an Indian partner.
Amelia says she feels a lot better since Dr. Baji told her to stop taking the medication. She currently plans to use this as a home base so she can see other parts of northern India. She's fearless, I tell you.
Adam is Adam. We only see him at meals and when he comes back from treatment. He says his skin is clearing up nicely, and he seems a lot happier. He plans to fly to Bombei from Kocki (Cochin) and then take the train (express, but it still takes 4 hours) to where his extended family is before returning to England. I think Bombei is also called Mumbai which is where the bombing of the train took place. Pakistinian terrorists apparently. India and Pakistan are not best friends. Pakistan apparently has 50 nuclear bombs in its arsenal. The US is crazy for allowing that. Pakistan is probably the least stable country around here.
Have to go while the internet is still cooperating.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/ etc.
Why is it people don't email on weekends?????????????????????????
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 29-2009--Day 17
17 days without chocolate!--AND I have even had access to chocolate every single one of those days!
I was basted like a turkey this morning in Treatment. I make this sound easy, but it has resulted in a lot of consternation on my part and a great deal of mirth on the part of the technicians when they want me to turn over or sit up. Rather difficult to get a grip on anything.
And it makes me sweat during and afterward because the oil is hot. I guess that's good as it probably means the toxins are leaving my body.
This morning on my walk I actually found a piece of FLAT land. On either side of the road were rice fields after rice fields. Some aren't doing so well--hasn't rained enough. Others have water in them (For those of you who don't know rice fields, they are probably 20 feet by 20 feet and have earthen boundaries. It doesn't look like they are tilled by hand anymore as I could see furrows like tractors make for corn.). Even though there is standing water, the earth beneath still has huge cracks in it from lack of water.
Thought we were going to get a nice storm earlier, but it must have gone around us. The humidity last night and today was really high, and at least that has lessened.
The baby next door to us has been crying A Lot today. Normally, we only hear him once or twice, but he is crying like he is sick. Our Yoga Master, Anil, told us that high humidity might cause the baby to be sick and then brought up the happy thought of cholera. There is cholera due to flooding where the last storm hit in the area near Bangladesh and in Bangladesh itself.
BTW: the student from Indiana University did NOT have swine flu. They have reported several incidences of taking people to the hospital from the airport to be tested. They also report when they test negative. So far I've only seen the negative results. Maybe they don't follow up in the newspaper on the ones who test positive. Regardless, I feel certain that Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu are keeping us as safe as possible. That is one reason why we haven't been allowed to go anywhere without Francis or Colonel Babu with us. I suspect that if we were to go alone that people would gather closely around us, and they don't want that.
Colonel Babu usually comes between 4 and 5, and we talk. He shares a great deal of Indian culture with us. It's great. Dr. Baji may come any time during the day for medical stuff and usually spends time with us in the late afternoon--sometimes staying through dinner although he hasn't eaten with us. Last night's major topic of discussion was marriage in India. I keep hearing the same thing, "Marriage in India is forever". So, no matter how bad it may be, you are stuck. They have set up hotlines for abused women and abused children. However, I am sure that when the women or children return home, they are beaten or worse. It happens in the States. I am sure India is no different. There is a lot of pride here. And a lot of concern about what the neighbors think. Also, this is not to say that these arranged marriages are necessarily happy on the men's side either. Dr. Baji doesn't think there is really happy marriage. He feels like he has raised his wife and is raising his children now. His wife was shipped off to boarding school (Catholic, although I believe they are Hindu) at a very young age and her parents would visit once or twice a year. So she didn't know how to parent (at least we saw how our parents parented.), didn't know how to make a cup of tea or clean or cook. He spent 14 years in Chennai going to school so he had to learn a lot of things that most Indian men don't have to deal with. His mother-in-law was in contact with his wife every day for four years after the marriage telling her she had to stay with him. He told us previously that he couldn't tolerate the mother-in-law. He hasn't had contact with his in-laws for ten years as a result. Trust me when I say that the Dr. Baji who presents himself to us would be a catch for any woman. He is a doctor in medicine and an Ayurvedic doctor. He is very well-read, very articulate, very bright, and has a good sense of humor not to mention tall and very good-looking. I guess those things might not appeal to some people, but they would appeal to me.
On the time zone thing: If you go east, there is a 14 1/2 hour different between here and the east coast. If, however, you go west, which is what I was doing with Raechel, it is 10 1/2 hours. I have no idea where the extra hour came from. Even with only 10 1/2 hours different, it took David about 36 hours to get to Raleigh.
I'm going to start reading David's blog now to see if there's anything to add. I'm also going to have to start making a list of things I want to tell you--my mind goes over things during the day, and then, when I am typing, I forget them. Such is life.
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/ friend/ relative/ stranger
17 days without chocolate!--AND I have even had access to chocolate every single one of those days!
I was basted like a turkey this morning in Treatment. I make this sound easy, but it has resulted in a lot of consternation on my part and a great deal of mirth on the part of the technicians when they want me to turn over or sit up. Rather difficult to get a grip on anything.
And it makes me sweat during and afterward because the oil is hot. I guess that's good as it probably means the toxins are leaving my body.
This morning on my walk I actually found a piece of FLAT land. On either side of the road were rice fields after rice fields. Some aren't doing so well--hasn't rained enough. Others have water in them (For those of you who don't know rice fields, they are probably 20 feet by 20 feet and have earthen boundaries. It doesn't look like they are tilled by hand anymore as I could see furrows like tractors make for corn.). Even though there is standing water, the earth beneath still has huge cracks in it from lack of water.
Thought we were going to get a nice storm earlier, but it must have gone around us. The humidity last night and today was really high, and at least that has lessened.
The baby next door to us has been crying A Lot today. Normally, we only hear him once or twice, but he is crying like he is sick. Our Yoga Master, Anil, told us that high humidity might cause the baby to be sick and then brought up the happy thought of cholera. There is cholera due to flooding where the last storm hit in the area near Bangladesh and in Bangladesh itself.
BTW: the student from Indiana University did NOT have swine flu. They have reported several incidences of taking people to the hospital from the airport to be tested. They also report when they test negative. So far I've only seen the negative results. Maybe they don't follow up in the newspaper on the ones who test positive. Regardless, I feel certain that Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu are keeping us as safe as possible. That is one reason why we haven't been allowed to go anywhere without Francis or Colonel Babu with us. I suspect that if we were to go alone that people would gather closely around us, and they don't want that.
Colonel Babu usually comes between 4 and 5, and we talk. He shares a great deal of Indian culture with us. It's great. Dr. Baji may come any time during the day for medical stuff and usually spends time with us in the late afternoon--sometimes staying through dinner although he hasn't eaten with us. Last night's major topic of discussion was marriage in India. I keep hearing the same thing, "Marriage in India is forever". So, no matter how bad it may be, you are stuck. They have set up hotlines for abused women and abused children. However, I am sure that when the women or children return home, they are beaten or worse. It happens in the States. I am sure India is no different. There is a lot of pride here. And a lot of concern about what the neighbors think. Also, this is not to say that these arranged marriages are necessarily happy on the men's side either. Dr. Baji doesn't think there is really happy marriage. He feels like he has raised his wife and is raising his children now. His wife was shipped off to boarding school (Catholic, although I believe they are Hindu) at a very young age and her parents would visit once or twice a year. So she didn't know how to parent (at least we saw how our parents parented.), didn't know how to make a cup of tea or clean or cook. He spent 14 years in Chennai going to school so he had to learn a lot of things that most Indian men don't have to deal with. His mother-in-law was in contact with his wife every day for four years after the marriage telling her she had to stay with him. He told us previously that he couldn't tolerate the mother-in-law. He hasn't had contact with his in-laws for ten years as a result. Trust me when I say that the Dr. Baji who presents himself to us would be a catch for any woman. He is a doctor in medicine and an Ayurvedic doctor. He is very well-read, very articulate, very bright, and has a good sense of humor not to mention tall and very good-looking. I guess those things might not appeal to some people, but they would appeal to me.
On the time zone thing: If you go east, there is a 14 1/2 hour different between here and the east coast. If, however, you go west, which is what I was doing with Raechel, it is 10 1/2 hours. I have no idea where the extra hour came from. Even with only 10 1/2 hours different, it took David about 36 hours to get to Raleigh.
I'm going to start reading David's blog now to see if there's anything to add. I'm also going to have to start making a list of things I want to tell you--my mind goes over things during the day, and then, when I am typing, I forget them. Such is life.
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/ friend/ relative/ stranger
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009--Day 16
I received my first flowers yesterday. Sometimes the children will give us flowers as we walk along. They love to speak with us and practice their English. They always have a smile and are very friendly. Mom usually is in the background and often pushes the children to communicate. Usually that is no problem however.
On our return from the elephant farm, we saw an elephant being taken for a walk down the street where the shops of that village are. Still in chains, but at least getting some exercise. They can be very dangerous. The elephant had one man riding him and another walking beside him. The townspeople seemed to be perfectly ok with it so it apparently isn't a rare occasion.
Today the treatment changed. This morning, instead of oil being poured on my forehead, I was given something akin to a hot oil bath without being immersed like being in a bathtub. Oil poured over me for nearly an hour. I think I could grow to like it. David missed this part.
I was talking by instant messenger with Raechel at 8:30 this morning, and it was 11 PM in Raleigh. So, instead of it being 10 1/2 hours different, it is 14 1/2 hours different on the east coast. Poor David hasn't reached home yet. He may be in Washington, D.C. He left at 4:30 AM yesterday morning, and I don't think he gets to Raleigh until 6:30 PM tonight. It's possible I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong because I have a longer trek in two weeks.
I have made contact with Jeff's sister in Dubai, asking her for just a few hours--not the whole layover. She agreed to show me the sights via car (air-conditioned, I hope) and will be bringing her son who looks to be around 12 along. If I had to spend 11 1/2 hours in the airport, you would find me behaving like an Indian, sleeping on the floor.
Mrs. Babu rides a scooter!!!!!!!!!!! Not an easy thing to do in a sari. She had lunch with us today.
She also refers to him as Babu--which is supposed to be a no-no. Things are changing. This country is only 62 years old--they became an independent country in my honor, don't you think? Think about where the US was at the end of it's first 50 years!!!!
Almost forgot my topic: the newspaper.
The newspaper is called "The Hindu", is written in English, and is recognized by the "London Times", I think, as a good newspaper. In today's paper, it says that Tim Roemer, the former Congressman from our voting district, has been nominated Ambassador to India! I'm not sure he or his wife will appreciate that honor as the capitol is up north where it is not unusual for the temperature to hit 110F or over. That really was an aside. I just happened to notice a blip on the front page of the paper. Anyway, the stories are all completed on the same page they start!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They write in a way that people talk. There are some interesting terms, however. 'Miscreant' is often used when referring to the bad guys. A train was robbed, and the woman was 'relieved' of 65 grams of jewelry she had been wearing. They have many of the same problems we have. There was a ganga bust (marijuana), a spirit bust (I think it's like moonshine used to be--illegal) (There are state shops where you can buy liquor.), two girls committed suicide because they got in trouble for coming home late and were angry with their parents. There is the wild side in other states, of course. Gunfights, kidnappings, mudslides burying people etc. There are articles everyday about the US--not a lot, but some. Also, there have been editorials about Obama and about Guantanimo (not very flattering). Cuba keeps getting their licks in about the 'imperialist power'.
They also report testing scores and when examinations for schools will take place. There are many, many ads for schooling: MBAs, Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and other professional schooling. I have seen ads recruiting doctors to go to Saudia Arabia and England.
What I am trying to show you is that all parts of India are not backward. There are 50 medical schools in Kerala along--I don't know how big. India is in partnership with some American medical schools to send Americans here for internships, etc. and vice versa. If the Americans come here, they will learn how to diagnose without all the expensive tests they now rely on. Some places have the very latest in modern medicine technology. Although medical care is not expensive for Americans--an MRI is $150--it is totally out of reach for most of the people. Now I know why people are coming here from the States for surgery, etc. Even factoring in the airfare, etc., it is considerably cheaper. Colonel Babu said that medical tests of the kind we get--but cheaper here--would put a man's family in debt for 3 generations. So sad. And so unlike we Americans who just file bankruptcy. I have seen some really old people here so they must know something I don't know.
One last thing for today. The two Indian child stars in 'Slumdog Millionaire' had their shantys torn down and nowhere to live. In yesterday's paper there was an article saying that a trust fund has been setup for the children. It has bought an apartment for the boy and his family. They are still looking for something for the little girl. I cannot believe that these two kids weren't provided for before this publicity started coming out.
Take care, be happy, and be safe.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy/Aunt/Sister/friend/stranger whatever.
I received my first flowers yesterday. Sometimes the children will give us flowers as we walk along. They love to speak with us and practice their English. They always have a smile and are very friendly. Mom usually is in the background and often pushes the children to communicate. Usually that is no problem however.
On our return from the elephant farm, we saw an elephant being taken for a walk down the street where the shops of that village are. Still in chains, but at least getting some exercise. They can be very dangerous. The elephant had one man riding him and another walking beside him. The townspeople seemed to be perfectly ok with it so it apparently isn't a rare occasion.
Today the treatment changed. This morning, instead of oil being poured on my forehead, I was given something akin to a hot oil bath without being immersed like being in a bathtub. Oil poured over me for nearly an hour. I think I could grow to like it. David missed this part.
I was talking by instant messenger with Raechel at 8:30 this morning, and it was 11 PM in Raleigh. So, instead of it being 10 1/2 hours different, it is 14 1/2 hours different on the east coast. Poor David hasn't reached home yet. He may be in Washington, D.C. He left at 4:30 AM yesterday morning, and I don't think he gets to Raleigh until 6:30 PM tonight. It's possible I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong because I have a longer trek in two weeks.
I have made contact with Jeff's sister in Dubai, asking her for just a few hours--not the whole layover. She agreed to show me the sights via car (air-conditioned, I hope) and will be bringing her son who looks to be around 12 along. If I had to spend 11 1/2 hours in the airport, you would find me behaving like an Indian, sleeping on the floor.
Mrs. Babu rides a scooter!!!!!!!!!!! Not an easy thing to do in a sari. She had lunch with us today.
She also refers to him as Babu--which is supposed to be a no-no. Things are changing. This country is only 62 years old--they became an independent country in my honor, don't you think? Think about where the US was at the end of it's first 50 years!!!!
Almost forgot my topic: the newspaper.
The newspaper is called "The Hindu", is written in English, and is recognized by the "London Times", I think, as a good newspaper. In today's paper, it says that Tim Roemer, the former Congressman from our voting district, has been nominated Ambassador to India! I'm not sure he or his wife will appreciate that honor as the capitol is up north where it is not unusual for the temperature to hit 110F or over. That really was an aside. I just happened to notice a blip on the front page of the paper. Anyway, the stories are all completed on the same page they start!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They write in a way that people talk. There are some interesting terms, however. 'Miscreant' is often used when referring to the bad guys. A train was robbed, and the woman was 'relieved' of 65 grams of jewelry she had been wearing. They have many of the same problems we have. There was a ganga bust (marijuana), a spirit bust (I think it's like moonshine used to be--illegal) (There are state shops where you can buy liquor.), two girls committed suicide because they got in trouble for coming home late and were angry with their parents. There is the wild side in other states, of course. Gunfights, kidnappings, mudslides burying people etc. There are articles everyday about the US--not a lot, but some. Also, there have been editorials about Obama and about Guantanimo (not very flattering). Cuba keeps getting their licks in about the 'imperialist power'.
They also report testing scores and when examinations for schools will take place. There are many, many ads for schooling: MBAs, Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and other professional schooling. I have seen ads recruiting doctors to go to Saudia Arabia and England.
What I am trying to show you is that all parts of India are not backward. There are 50 medical schools in Kerala along--I don't know how big. India is in partnership with some American medical schools to send Americans here for internships, etc. and vice versa. If the Americans come here, they will learn how to diagnose without all the expensive tests they now rely on. Some places have the very latest in modern medicine technology. Although medical care is not expensive for Americans--an MRI is $150--it is totally out of reach for most of the people. Now I know why people are coming here from the States for surgery, etc. Even factoring in the airfare, etc., it is considerably cheaper. Colonel Babu said that medical tests of the kind we get--but cheaper here--would put a man's family in debt for 3 generations. So sad. And so unlike we Americans who just file bankruptcy. I have seen some really old people here so they must know something I don't know.
One last thing for today. The two Indian child stars in 'Slumdog Millionaire' had their shantys torn down and nowhere to live. In yesterday's paper there was an article saying that a trust fund has been setup for the children. It has bought an apartment for the boy and his family. They are still looking for something for the little girl. I cannot believe that these two kids weren't provided for before this publicity started coming out.
Take care, be happy, and be safe.
Love,
Mom/Granny/Peggy/Aunt/Sister/friend/stranger whatever.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009--Day 15
David left this morning. Colonel Babu, Sibien, and Kirish were here to see him off at 4:30. Fortunately, his taxi was more comfortable than the ones we use around here. He said he had a tee time in Dubai. Colonel Babu actually had on shorts!
Have to take back what I said about the clothing. We went to see the elephants yesterday, and everyone was dressed in traditional garb. However, we did see two girls in western-type dresses and a few men in slacks. I'm sure that as a person gets into larger cities there are more people dressed in western garb. David said he even saw a white man.
Our trip to see the elephants was awesome. There are 60-70 elephants in an area set aside for them in 1975. There was one baby who was 'dancing' holding a palm branch in his trunk. I would like to think he was dancing instead of being highly anxious. We got within spitting distance of him. (No, we didn't spit at him.) The sad thing is that all the elephants are chained to at least one tree. However, we did get within ten feet of one just by walking on the path. Two were being given baths--one in a smallish pond; the other was being hosed down and getting his nails done (That one was rather small.) It's incredible. You pay to drive in, and there are the elephants right next to the parking lot. Then there were a ton more further in. We also had to pay a camera fee. Just think about how much food has to be brought in to feed 60-70 elephants!!!!! What we saw them eating was leaves from palm trees. I sincerely doubt that they get any other kind of food. They were all separated from each other so I'm not sure how the baby came about, but... Lots of pictures. After I put the pictures on Picasa, I will make a list of what each picture is about and send that to you so you have some idea of what's going on. If you specifically want the pictures and I don't have your e-mail, please send it to me via Bob, Kevin, or David. I was going to put my email address on here, but anyone in the world can read this.
David has pictures with his blog.
I should tell you that the sun was out when we went on our little excursion so it was rather hot.
Next we went to the market for shopping. The only place we stopped was at a clothing store (a smaller version of something like Lord & Taylor) where David got me two of the outfits Michelle mentioned. There is a long tunic, pants, and a scarf to each one. Very attractive, I think. If we had not had Francis with us, we would still be trying to effect the sale in December. Francis' comprehension of English isn't great, but there apparently was only one sales person who spoke English. (David made the comment at the elephant farm that he didn't know if the elephants or the Americans were the attraction. But no one stopped to ask us for a picture. The adults are pretty reserved.) Anyway, the store was full of people--many, many salespeople, but also customers. I scared a little kid by saying, 'hi' to him. Older children came to look at us after we got in the 'lift'. These are little people so I asked them for the largest size they had. Not quite, but I'm sure they will fit in two weeks. There was some kind of detector and a guard at the front door. Everyone was very nice and tried to be helpful. And it worked as I came away with two Indian outfits.
We elected not to go anywhere else due to the heat, but also these excursions wear me out. This has to do with the treatment. Ordinarily they don't let you go on excursions until the end of your treatment, but because David was leaving they let me go as well. Three excursions in one week!
The treatment has a definite effect on your body, otherwise there would be no improvement in your disease. I think it temporarily weakens the immune system and the muscles in the beginning. There is a woman here with lung cancer who is doing Ayurveda for six weeks. The Dr. has said that Ayurveda can cure cancer. I hope so as Amelia is a wonderful lady. Since meeting her her color has gotten better and she seems to have more energy. Chemotherapy and radiation destroy parts of the body according to Dr. Baji. I have no reason to disbelieve him. However, it is out of the realm of what we have grown up with all our lives. If he can cure psoriasis, he can cure cancer. Amazing.
Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu wanted to know if there were any special instructions from David in regard to me. Now I wouldn't have anyone to take care of things for me. Oh, please.
They said this in front of me so I am thinking at least part of it was joking. I assured them that I am very competent. I didn't say in what.
Tomorrow I will tell you about the newspaper. It's great.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009--Day 14
14 days without chocolate.
Words of Wisdom from Dr. Baji: A long belt means a short life.
We went to Dr. Baji's house and factory yesterday. His home is modest by our standards, especially by the standards of the doctors in Granger. We met his father, mother, wife, and two daughters. The adults wore Indian clothing while the daughters and Dr. Baji were in western-style dress. ( I have never seen an Indian woman in anything but a Sari. There have been one or two men besides Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu in western-style clothing. Even in the towns we have been through, everyone is dressed in traditional garb.) Dr.Baji's father is an Ayurveda toxicologist and is 80 years old. He used to teach primary school, but has been retired for 25 years. Very kind and friendly man. The women and children do not speak if there is company. We didn't go in the house, but Dr. Baji showed us his factory, his office, and many of the herbs, leaves of trees, and trees whose roots are used in Ayureda medicine. We smelled the leaves of several of his trees (broken open to allow the aroma out), including a cinnamon tree. We were served lemonade, dried rice, I think, and some other kind of rice, and coconut and sugarcane (and probably some other things) wrapped in a leaf and closed with something like a toothpick. You don't eat the leaf. It is for presentation. Figured it was okay to eat and drink since we were at the doctor's house. The food was very palatable as was the lemonade.
Dr. Baji's factory is quite a set-up. It takes up several small areas and two larger rooms. He has what looked like an autoclave, a pill-former, a container sealer, a mechanism which crushes the stuff to whatever size, a grinder to grind stuff down to whatever size, and humongous stone fireplace with huge cauldrons for boiling/simmering (vented to the outside)(He says boiling stuff down is far preferable to heating stuff at 600+ degrees like they do with our medicines.), a mechanism with the same idea as the apple cider maker at Amish Acres, and large room with tree bark, herbs, different kinds of salt and other things that are used in the medications. The factory is run by muscle power although the machines are much easier to use than in the olden days when you would have to use stone against stone to grind wheat or corn. Very interesting. He also has a huge well, very deep where he has fish for eating. They literally fish in it for the fish they want to eat. What an idea! A large part of his property has rare and not so rare medicinal plants/trees growing. Dr. Baji's father said to remember him always so we took a picture of all of us.
Today I saw a satellite dish. David says that he has seen others, but I haven't. This was not a rich house. Most of the people seem to have wells. If you don't, there are spigots here and there where you can draw water. I have seen men carrying buckets of water. Oh, and the noise I was hearing and told you it was the women using a bunch of reeds or whatever to beat on the clothing to get it clean. They also sling the piece of clothing from over their shoulders onto a rock probably for the same purpose. What a great way to get out your anger!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somehow, I don't think the women of America are going to go for that method of anger management.
There is now sewer locally that I know of. The ground soaks up water pretty fast.
14 days without chocolate.
Words of Wisdom from Dr. Baji: A long belt means a short life.
We went to Dr. Baji's house and factory yesterday. His home is modest by our standards, especially by the standards of the doctors in Granger. We met his father, mother, wife, and two daughters. The adults wore Indian clothing while the daughters and Dr. Baji were in western-style dress. ( I have never seen an Indian woman in anything but a Sari. There have been one or two men besides Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu in western-style clothing. Even in the towns we have been through, everyone is dressed in traditional garb.) Dr.Baji's father is an Ayurveda toxicologist and is 80 years old. He used to teach primary school, but has been retired for 25 years. Very kind and friendly man. The women and children do not speak if there is company. We didn't go in the house, but Dr. Baji showed us his factory, his office, and many of the herbs, leaves of trees, and trees whose roots are used in Ayureda medicine. We smelled the leaves of several of his trees (broken open to allow the aroma out), including a cinnamon tree. We were served lemonade, dried rice, I think, and some other kind of rice, and coconut and sugarcane (and probably some other things) wrapped in a leaf and closed with something like a toothpick. You don't eat the leaf. It is for presentation. Figured it was okay to eat and drink since we were at the doctor's house. The food was very palatable as was the lemonade.
Dr. Baji's factory is quite a set-up. It takes up several small areas and two larger rooms. He has what looked like an autoclave, a pill-former, a container sealer, a mechanism which crushes the stuff to whatever size, a grinder to grind stuff down to whatever size, and humongous stone fireplace with huge cauldrons for boiling/simmering (vented to the outside)(He says boiling stuff down is far preferable to heating stuff at 600+ degrees like they do with our medicines.), a mechanism with the same idea as the apple cider maker at Amish Acres, and large room with tree bark, herbs, different kinds of salt and other things that are used in the medications. The factory is run by muscle power although the machines are much easier to use than in the olden days when you would have to use stone against stone to grind wheat or corn. Very interesting. He also has a huge well, very deep where he has fish for eating. They literally fish in it for the fish they want to eat. What an idea! A large part of his property has rare and not so rare medicinal plants/trees growing. Dr. Baji's father said to remember him always so we took a picture of all of us.
Today I saw a satellite dish. David says that he has seen others, but I haven't. This was not a rich house. Most of the people seem to have wells. If you don't, there are spigots here and there where you can draw water. I have seen men carrying buckets of water. Oh, and the noise I was hearing and told you it was the women using a bunch of reeds or whatever to beat on the clothing to get it clean. They also sling the piece of clothing from over their shoulders onto a rock probably for the same purpose. What a great way to get out your anger!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somehow, I don't think the women of America are going to go for that method of anger management.
There is now sewer locally that I know of. The ground soaks up water pretty fast.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Day 13
This morning we had beet juice for breakfast. Wasn't bad. Definitely sweeter than what we usually get. I'm thinking these are all acquired tastes as the cucumber juice yesterday wasn't half bad. The cook seemed unaware that you could slice and cook beets.
It seems that Tumeric is added to everything and that is what upsets my stomach. They say there are no other spices in what they give me so I'm going to ask for them to eliminate that. For breakfast every morning I have steamed carrots, cauliflower, and green beans mixed together. And juice. So far the menu has included carrot juice, cucumber juice, banana stem juice (can't have bananas because they have starch--news to me), and beet juice. There is also some indescribable dish, probably something to do with beans. Haven't gotten that brave yet. For lunch there is always rice and then an assortment of fruits and vegetables. We generally have tomatoes and cucumbers (thank heaven) for lunch and dinner. Today there were tangerine pieces in with the papaya. Can't eat the papaya here because it talks back to me. Perhaps in the states, it will have a milder taste. For dinner there is rice or a wrap, tomatoes and cucumbers and onions, cut fruit, and then an assortment of other fruits/vegetables. These other fruits/vegetables are always mixed with other stuff and have a spicy taste. Those of you who know me knowthat I don't like to mix my foods. Yes, I know that they are all mixed in my stomach, but I generally don't like to mix them prior to that.
We had yoga today. The Yoga Master gets Sundays off, and he had a wedding yesterday so we had two days minus yoga. Yoga probably will not be on my list of things to do when I get back, but I will continue Qigong and try to do some every day.
Yesterday's weather alternated rain with sun. The sun is really hot. In rain or sun, we are always escorted to the treatment rooms with an umbrella over our heads. Therefore, I will not have a suntan. Maybe in Dubai. I did bring lotion, but I think even Dubai is going to be way too hot to be out in the sun.
The people here are so laid back. I haven't heard a single argument or anyone yelling at the children or anything more than an occasional baby cry. The children around here are very quiet. It's not that the children aren't around. If they go to school, school starts June 1. 46% of the adults in this country are illiterate.
Kerala is considering a pension for the elderly living in below poverty level homes. Keep in mind that many people live in each dwelling. Colonel Babu had 22 people living in his house growing up. He still lives in the same house, but he says it is too big for him. His mother died 4 years ago and his father just passed 6 weeks ago.
Sorry there's nothing wild and exciting today. Later we go to Dr.Baji's, and tomorrow we are going to the market and to see the elephant preserve where there are 60-70 elephants. There is also a tiger preserve, but I don't know how far that is. We have to fit all excursions around meals and treatment so we don't have an extended period available to us to go far distances.
I would like to be able to put pictures with this, but I am just not technicologically advanced enough to do that. Guess you'll just have to come visit when I get back!
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
This morning we had beet juice for breakfast. Wasn't bad. Definitely sweeter than what we usually get. I'm thinking these are all acquired tastes as the cucumber juice yesterday wasn't half bad. The cook seemed unaware that you could slice and cook beets.
It seems that Tumeric is added to everything and that is what upsets my stomach. They say there are no other spices in what they give me so I'm going to ask for them to eliminate that. For breakfast every morning I have steamed carrots, cauliflower, and green beans mixed together. And juice. So far the menu has included carrot juice, cucumber juice, banana stem juice (can't have bananas because they have starch--news to me), and beet juice. There is also some indescribable dish, probably something to do with beans. Haven't gotten that brave yet. For lunch there is always rice and then an assortment of fruits and vegetables. We generally have tomatoes and cucumbers (thank heaven) for lunch and dinner. Today there were tangerine pieces in with the papaya. Can't eat the papaya here because it talks back to me. Perhaps in the states, it will have a milder taste. For dinner there is rice or a wrap, tomatoes and cucumbers and onions, cut fruit, and then an assortment of other fruits/vegetables. These other fruits/vegetables are always mixed with other stuff and have a spicy taste. Those of you who know me knowthat I don't like to mix my foods. Yes, I know that they are all mixed in my stomach, but I generally don't like to mix them prior to that.
We had yoga today. The Yoga Master gets Sundays off, and he had a wedding yesterday so we had two days minus yoga. Yoga probably will not be on my list of things to do when I get back, but I will continue Qigong and try to do some every day.
Yesterday's weather alternated rain with sun. The sun is really hot. In rain or sun, we are always escorted to the treatment rooms with an umbrella over our heads. Therefore, I will not have a suntan. Maybe in Dubai. I did bring lotion, but I think even Dubai is going to be way too hot to be out in the sun.
The people here are so laid back. I haven't heard a single argument or anyone yelling at the children or anything more than an occasional baby cry. The children around here are very quiet. It's not that the children aren't around. If they go to school, school starts June 1. 46% of the adults in this country are illiterate.
Kerala is considering a pension for the elderly living in below poverty level homes. Keep in mind that many people live in each dwelling. Colonel Babu had 22 people living in his house growing up. He still lives in the same house, but he says it is too big for him. His mother died 4 years ago and his father just passed 6 weeks ago.
Sorry there's nothing wild and exciting today. Later we go to Dr.Baji's, and tomorrow we are going to the market and to see the elephant preserve where there are 60-70 elephants. There is also a tiger preserve, but I don't know how far that is. We have to fit all excursions around meals and treatment so we don't have an extended period available to us to go far distances.
I would like to be able to put pictures with this, but I am just not technicologically advanced enough to do that. Guess you'll just have to come visit when I get back!
Take care.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009 Day 12
The newspaper says a monsoon has settled in although it's not raining all the time yet. We shall see.
Dr. Baji sat with us while we ate dinner last night. His brother has a doctorate in something to do with fish. There are fish hatcheries and fish farms here in Kerala. Prawns are raised on farms. The female prawn only has eggs every two-three years. The brother determined a way to make the females have eggs every 3 months. The gene for propagating is near the eyes which are set out from the head on little attenae. To achieve the every 3 month rotation, they cut off the gene/eye so all the females are blind. BUT, they do propagate every 3 months now. Also, for those who want to know, prawn taste differently when they are allowed to die on their own as in taking them out of the water-- kind of like deer taken down in the forest tastes differently than venison hit by a car. So, instead of letting them thrash around, they immerse them in water below the freezing level. You've heard of freeze-dried? Well, this is freeze-died. Sorry, couldn't resist. Think about this. All of the fish you eat when you go fishing would taste better if you freeze-died them. I wonder if they do this with fish in the States. Lobster dropped in the pot would have a better taste so that is why you get live lobster at the store.
There are 5000 Ayurveda factories in Kerala alone. So many that some of the herbs/roots have to be imported from other countries like China, Burma, andThailand. The government has started a program to help farmers grow the herbs and roots. The companies provide the raw matrials and coach the farmers and then buy back the product. Sounds pretty progressive to me. I think he said that Ayurveda roots and herbs cannot legally be exported, but then he said that these companies export to western countries. Maybe in the finished form. There is no standard here for what a concoction must contain, which is a problem. One doctor could very well use different amounts of the ingredients for an illness than another doctor would use. (Our pharmaceuticals have replicatable properties. Generics are supposed to be the same as the real thing.)
Topic for today: The staff.
All of the Indians who work here are short except for one. Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu are both tall--I would guess it comes from the difference in nutrition.
Gita is one of my technicians who does the treatment massages. She comes up to my chin. She weighs 34 kg. (See? There really was a reason to know that there are 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. This is the first time in my whole life I needed to know that.) Her hands are smaller than Keagan's and so are her feet. I could almost put my two hands around her waist. She has long, black hair, dark skin, and beautiful eyes and eyelashes which need no make-up. She also has a beautiful smile which she shows often. The teeth of the people here seem to be pretty good--at least on the younger people.
Kathy is the other technician. She is a little bit taller and weights 43 kilos. These people are so small I feel like a giant. Kathy has a daughter 17 who is in college studying to be a teacher. She also has a great smile and is the better of the two regarding English. She also is a talker. Their conversation is so musical, it helps me relax, and I prefer it during the massages.
David has two male technicians. One older. One somewhat younger. It's hard to tell ages.
The men tend to be taller and have more meat on their bones, but they aren't overweight by our standards.
Dr.Baji says he trains all his technicians himself.
Kirish is our medicine man. He didn't smile at first, but now that we've gotten acquainted, he usually has a smile. Can't be easy bringing us this yucky-tasting stuff. Actually, that is getting better. David said that if I had just learned to drink whiskey, I wouldn't be having a problem at all. (May have told you that before.)
There are at least four other women working here. The women appear to work considerably more than the men--except Kirish and the cook. If Gita and Kathy aren't doing treatment, they are either cleaning, washing laundry, or working in the garden. I don't see the other two technicians doing anything else. One woman seems to be an office worker--she wears beautiful blue saris everyday. The three other women clean, do laundry, work in the garden or sweep both the drive, etc. and the royal garden. Gita's mother comes early in the morning to sweep outside. I think Colonel Babu has her do this so he can pay her and add a little moremoney to the household income. She gave me a mango the morning after we took a tour of her house.
Things you might not know:
The Tall Man's Association is petitioning the government to require a certain number of seats for tall men on each bus.
New Delhi is requiring that 50 million square feet of buildings install solar energy. This would be for large buildings, hotels, etc. I assume this is in New Delhi, but I don't know.
Children here get no vaccinations--at least poor children.
I'm going to post this now.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
The newspaper says a monsoon has settled in although it's not raining all the time yet. We shall see.
Dr. Baji sat with us while we ate dinner last night. His brother has a doctorate in something to do with fish. There are fish hatcheries and fish farms here in Kerala. Prawns are raised on farms. The female prawn only has eggs every two-three years. The brother determined a way to make the females have eggs every 3 months. The gene for propagating is near the eyes which are set out from the head on little attenae. To achieve the every 3 month rotation, they cut off the gene/eye so all the females are blind. BUT, they do propagate every 3 months now. Also, for those who want to know, prawn taste differently when they are allowed to die on their own as in taking them out of the water-- kind of like deer taken down in the forest tastes differently than venison hit by a car. So, instead of letting them thrash around, they immerse them in water below the freezing level. You've heard of freeze-dried? Well, this is freeze-died. Sorry, couldn't resist. Think about this. All of the fish you eat when you go fishing would taste better if you freeze-died them. I wonder if they do this with fish in the States. Lobster dropped in the pot would have a better taste so that is why you get live lobster at the store.
There are 5000 Ayurveda factories in Kerala alone. So many that some of the herbs/roots have to be imported from other countries like China, Burma, andThailand. The government has started a program to help farmers grow the herbs and roots. The companies provide the raw matrials and coach the farmers and then buy back the product. Sounds pretty progressive to me. I think he said that Ayurveda roots and herbs cannot legally be exported, but then he said that these companies export to western countries. Maybe in the finished form. There is no standard here for what a concoction must contain, which is a problem. One doctor could very well use different amounts of the ingredients for an illness than another doctor would use. (Our pharmaceuticals have replicatable properties. Generics are supposed to be the same as the real thing.)
Topic for today: The staff.
All of the Indians who work here are short except for one. Dr. Baji and Colonel Babu are both tall--I would guess it comes from the difference in nutrition.
Gita is one of my technicians who does the treatment massages. She comes up to my chin. She weighs 34 kg. (See? There really was a reason to know that there are 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. This is the first time in my whole life I needed to know that.) Her hands are smaller than Keagan's and so are her feet. I could almost put my two hands around her waist. She has long, black hair, dark skin, and beautiful eyes and eyelashes which need no make-up. She also has a beautiful smile which she shows often. The teeth of the people here seem to be pretty good--at least on the younger people.
Kathy is the other technician. She is a little bit taller and weights 43 kilos. These people are so small I feel like a giant. Kathy has a daughter 17 who is in college studying to be a teacher. She also has a great smile and is the better of the two regarding English. She also is a talker. Their conversation is so musical, it helps me relax, and I prefer it during the massages.
David has two male technicians. One older. One somewhat younger. It's hard to tell ages.
The men tend to be taller and have more meat on their bones, but they aren't overweight by our standards.
Dr.Baji says he trains all his technicians himself.
Kirish is our medicine man. He didn't smile at first, but now that we've gotten acquainted, he usually has a smile. Can't be easy bringing us this yucky-tasting stuff. Actually, that is getting better. David said that if I had just learned to drink whiskey, I wouldn't be having a problem at all. (May have told you that before.)
There are at least four other women working here. The women appear to work considerably more than the men--except Kirish and the cook. If Gita and Kathy aren't doing treatment, they are either cleaning, washing laundry, or working in the garden. I don't see the other two technicians doing anything else. One woman seems to be an office worker--she wears beautiful blue saris everyday. The three other women clean, do laundry, work in the garden or sweep both the drive, etc. and the royal garden. Gita's mother comes early in the morning to sweep outside. I think Colonel Babu has her do this so he can pay her and add a little moremoney to the household income. She gave me a mango the morning after we took a tour of her house.
Things you might not know:
The Tall Man's Association is petitioning the government to require a certain number of seats for tall men on each bus.
New Delhi is requiring that 50 million square feet of buildings install solar energy. This would be for large buildings, hotels, etc. I assume this is in New Delhi, but I don't know.
Children here get no vaccinations--at least poor children.
I'm going to post this now.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Day 11, Sunday, My whatever, 2009
I think I may have my dates mixed up or not. I was thinking David was leaving on Wednesday, but he's not leaving until Thursday so the numbers do come out all right.
Yesterday I had banana stump juice for breakfast. ie banana stem juice. oh, so yummy. Ich.
Dr. Baji came by yesterday. Among other things in our discussion he said that he can cure psoriasis with 45 days here and 3 years of diet restrictions: chicken, alcohol, eggs, and one other thing which apparently doen't pertain to me or I would have remembered it. He also says he can cure diabetes. Western medicine only treats symptoms and does not get to the source of the problem. If you think about it, he has a point. All the medications for diabetes are simply to help the pancreas to work better--not cure the problem. He also says that aspirin should not be given to children 12 and under because it may cause asthma. He also cures asthma within 6 months with Ayurveda medicine. It is his specialty. I know, all this totally goes against what we have been brought up with, but... He can show a success rate through this hospital with psoriasis.
This morning I walked in a light rain. Wasn't bad because it was warm. Later we had a downpour. Now it's about 1000% humidity. We went to visit the only Catholic Church in the area. St. Thomas Catholic Church. It's 2000 years old, founded by the Apostle Thomas. They can show you the original It's open air but has fans. The baptismal font is outside and is the size of a field--5 feet deep. There is a grotto (no candles to light) and a cavelike passageway with pictures of St. Thomas doing various things. There is also a Catholic School and a very large reception hall. Across the street there is a portion of the original lagoon St. Thomas sailed into along with a boat that certainly looks newer than 2000 years. Since St. Thomas came in, the water level has seriously dropped so they saved part of the lagoon. Lagoon has carpin it. Across the lagoon is a humongous statue of St. Thomas--His big toe is almost as big as I am. David took a picture of me standing in front of it, but it will be very difficult to see me. There is also a museum housing items like the original door, the poles used to pass the collection--similar to what we used to have at St. Thomas, wooden carvings 600 years old, Bibles from many different countries--olden days. Wooden and metal candlesticks. Amazing that these items are in their original form--not broken and fixed. Much of it is behind glass and no photos are allowed. Francis arranged for us to have a tour guide for both the church and the museum so
we got more than we would have gotten just by ourselves. There was a wedding going on so we watched part of that. Hard to believe that the wedding was the first time either the bride or the groom saw each other. I asked Francis what happens if you see him and you go, "Yuck?" He said it's too late. I cannot imagine.
No yoga on Sundays which was why we were able to go to the Church.
I don't think I have the right story on these huge, huge houses as we saw several more on our way to the church. Will have to find out. If these are owned by inresidence Indians, then we have the very, very poor which are who surround this hospital and then we have the rich, rich. No inbetween. Most shops were closed today. We drove past a Hindu temple which was the length of a whole city block with large openings on both ends. People were lined up to enter. Coming back, there were tons of busses, taxis, and tricycles waiting for people to leave church. A tricycle is a three-wheeled, motorized, covered conveyance. These are plentiful. There is a seat for the driver, and a seat for one or two people in the rear. There are also lots of scooters. Many
families have a scooter.
Tomorrow's topic--God willing and there isn't a monsoon that takes out the internet-- will be the staff.
Love and blessings to each and every one of you.
Mom/Peggy/Granny
I think I may have my dates mixed up or not. I was thinking David was leaving on Wednesday, but he's not leaving until Thursday so the numbers do come out all right.
Yesterday I had banana stump juice for breakfast. ie banana stem juice. oh, so yummy. Ich.
Dr. Baji came by yesterday. Among other things in our discussion he said that he can cure psoriasis with 45 days here and 3 years of diet restrictions: chicken, alcohol, eggs, and one other thing which apparently doen't pertain to me or I would have remembered it. He also says he can cure diabetes. Western medicine only treats symptoms and does not get to the source of the problem. If you think about it, he has a point. All the medications for diabetes are simply to help the pancreas to work better--not cure the problem. He also says that aspirin should not be given to children 12 and under because it may cause asthma. He also cures asthma within 6 months with Ayurveda medicine. It is his specialty. I know, all this totally goes against what we have been brought up with, but... He can show a success rate through this hospital with psoriasis.
This morning I walked in a light rain. Wasn't bad because it was warm. Later we had a downpour. Now it's about 1000% humidity. We went to visit the only Catholic Church in the area. St. Thomas Catholic Church. It's 2000 years old, founded by the Apostle Thomas. They can show you the original It's open air but has fans. The baptismal font is outside and is the size of a field--5 feet deep. There is a grotto (no candles to light) and a cavelike passageway with pictures of St. Thomas doing various things. There is also a Catholic School and a very large reception hall. Across the street there is a portion of the original lagoon St. Thomas sailed into along with a boat that certainly looks newer than 2000 years. Since St. Thomas came in, the water level has seriously dropped so they saved part of the lagoon. Lagoon has carpin it. Across the lagoon is a humongous statue of St. Thomas--His big toe is almost as big as I am. David took a picture of me standing in front of it, but it will be very difficult to see me. There is also a museum housing items like the original door, the poles used to pass the collection--similar to what we used to have at St. Thomas, wooden carvings 600 years old, Bibles from many different countries--olden days. Wooden and metal candlesticks. Amazing that these items are in their original form--not broken and fixed. Much of it is behind glass and no photos are allowed. Francis arranged for us to have a tour guide for both the church and the museum so
we got more than we would have gotten just by ourselves. There was a wedding going on so we watched part of that. Hard to believe that the wedding was the first time either the bride or the groom saw each other. I asked Francis what happens if you see him and you go, "Yuck?" He said it's too late. I cannot imagine.
No yoga on Sundays which was why we were able to go to the Church.
I don't think I have the right story on these huge, huge houses as we saw several more on our way to the church. Will have to find out. If these are owned by inresidence Indians, then we have the very, very poor which are who surround this hospital and then we have the rich, rich. No inbetween. Most shops were closed today. We drove past a Hindu temple which was the length of a whole city block with large openings on both ends. People were lined up to enter. Coming back, there were tons of busses, taxis, and tricycles waiting for people to leave church. A tricycle is a three-wheeled, motorized, covered conveyance. These are plentiful. There is a seat for the driver, and a seat for one or two people in the rear. There are also lots of scooters. Many
families have a scooter.
Tomorrow's topic--God willing and there isn't a monsoon that takes out the internet-- will be the staff.
Love and blessings to each and every one of you.
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Day 10, Saturday, May 23, 2009
Hard to believe it's Memorial Day weekend back there. Safely enjoy.
Things you might not know:
It's never good to stand under a coconut tree in the wind. It probably isn't real good to stand under a coconut tree anytime give the rate at which they have been falling around here.
There are many different kinds of millipeeds (sp). There is one here that is red on top and there is a break line for the different segments so it looks like a train. That's what they call it. It's about 3-5 inches long. Just like ours, it curls up in a ball when disturbed.
The millipeed (that looks so funny. I guess I have never had occsion to spell millipeed before.) I saw this morning was black and about six inches long. I could see it's little legs moving in tandem just like the multi-oared rowing boats.
Monsoons are not like hurricanes or typhoons. They are lots of rain and some wind--but not generally dangerous unless you live in low-lying areas. Colonel Babu said that we are at a high enough altitude that it won't be a problem The forecast has been for one to come in the next couple of days so if there is no contact from us for a while, that is why.
There is no recession here. When 90% of the people of India have no refrigerator, it is hard to have a recession.
BTW David said there is some way to actually spoke to Raechel via gmail.
Last night we went to one of the technician's houses with Colonel Babu and Dr. Baji. In India, if you go to someone's home (unannounced), they are supposed to invite you in. If they consider themselves of an equal or higher socioeconomic level, they offer you something to eat and possibly drink. Gita's house has stone floors (as opposed to dirt floors as some have), stone stove where they use kindling to cook, front and back opening for a door (front doors are always supposed to be open anyway, a louvered window in the kitchen which looks out on the cow's bed (Cows used to live inside with the people here.), and two bedrooms. I am sure that it is less than 300 squre feet. This houses grandma; son, wife, and 3 daughters--youngest looked about 4; Gita and sometimes her husband. We didn't see a bathroom. The bed we saw was up off the floor--most people in India sleep on the floor on a mat.) The most striking thing was that they had a television. Every house I've seen has some electricity even if it's only 1 lightbulb. Reception on the TV was louzy, but, still, it's a TV. Most women wear gold jewelry--at least a necklace. Many of the children as well. The cow was hanging out in the yard. There was also a dog. I think many people use dogs as burglar alarms. Colonel Babu said the crime rate is very low or nonexistent here. After all, we are out in a jungle away from the cities even though there are tons of people around.
I saw this morning this noise I thought was chopping wood is actually the women washing clothing. They have reeds? tied together and beat the particular article of clothing on a stone. The sun does a marvelous job of getting your whites white. I've been turning my coloreds inside out in case their isn't a shaded spot available to hang them. Only the hot pink capris have lightened in color a bit. The rest have been fine.
Some of those humongous houses I told you about yesterday are owned by expatriots living elsewhere like the US. They live very frugally in the States so they can build a mansion here to impress the neighbors. Their original plan is to retire here. However, the kids are born in the States and don't want to come back here much less live here. They have gotten used to the soft life and have no intention of returning here other than for a visit. The parents may or may not eventually return here. Anyway, they pour all their money into houses and possessions here. We went to see one of these after seeing Gita's place. The livingroom furniture is western as are the beds. Mixer, water purifier, large screen TVs, etc. A much larger kitchen than mine. There was an open stairwell upstairs to four bedrooms. The bathrooms were huge and well-equipped by our standards. I have no idea how much square footage there was. There was also a car in the carport dripping oil. There is a caretaker who let us in.
Also learned that by law there is no longer a caste system. If a person refers to another person by their caste affiliation, supposedly they spend the rest of their life in jail. Don't know how often this occurs, but it seems like a real deterrent to me. Hypothetically, there is no caste system, but in reality something like that is very hard to change and will take years and years. What used to be called the 'untouchables' can have a job in the government, but Gita apparently tried it and wasn't at all comfortable with it because of the discrimination (subtle though it might have been (or overt)) made her uncomfortable. So she came back here to work.
We had our pictures taken yesterday because the only foreigners most of the people here ever see are those who come to Ayurveda Hospital. We are something of a novelty. Even the middle-aged men have started smiling and speaking to me! Guess they've decided I'm harmless.
Until tomorrow. Take care and be kind to others.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Hard to believe it's Memorial Day weekend back there. Safely enjoy.
Things you might not know:
It's never good to stand under a coconut tree in the wind. It probably isn't real good to stand under a coconut tree anytime give the rate at which they have been falling around here.
There are many different kinds of millipeeds (sp). There is one here that is red on top and there is a break line for the different segments so it looks like a train. That's what they call it. It's about 3-5 inches long. Just like ours, it curls up in a ball when disturbed.
The millipeed (that looks so funny. I guess I have never had occsion to spell millipeed before.) I saw this morning was black and about six inches long. I could see it's little legs moving in tandem just like the multi-oared rowing boats.
Monsoons are not like hurricanes or typhoons. They are lots of rain and some wind--but not generally dangerous unless you live in low-lying areas. Colonel Babu said that we are at a high enough altitude that it won't be a problem The forecast has been for one to come in the next couple of days so if there is no contact from us for a while, that is why.
There is no recession here. When 90% of the people of India have no refrigerator, it is hard to have a recession.
BTW David said there is some way to actually spoke to Raechel via gmail.
Last night we went to one of the technician's houses with Colonel Babu and Dr. Baji. In India, if you go to someone's home (unannounced), they are supposed to invite you in. If they consider themselves of an equal or higher socioeconomic level, they offer you something to eat and possibly drink. Gita's house has stone floors (as opposed to dirt floors as some have), stone stove where they use kindling to cook, front and back opening for a door (front doors are always supposed to be open anyway, a louvered window in the kitchen which looks out on the cow's bed (Cows used to live inside with the people here.), and two bedrooms. I am sure that it is less than 300 squre feet. This houses grandma; son, wife, and 3 daughters--youngest looked about 4; Gita and sometimes her husband. We didn't see a bathroom. The bed we saw was up off the floor--most people in India sleep on the floor on a mat.) The most striking thing was that they had a television. Every house I've seen has some electricity even if it's only 1 lightbulb. Reception on the TV was louzy, but, still, it's a TV. Most women wear gold jewelry--at least a necklace. Many of the children as well. The cow was hanging out in the yard. There was also a dog. I think many people use dogs as burglar alarms. Colonel Babu said the crime rate is very low or nonexistent here. After all, we are out in a jungle away from the cities even though there are tons of people around.
I saw this morning this noise I thought was chopping wood is actually the women washing clothing. They have reeds? tied together and beat the particular article of clothing on a stone. The sun does a marvelous job of getting your whites white. I've been turning my coloreds inside out in case their isn't a shaded spot available to hang them. Only the hot pink capris have lightened in color a bit. The rest have been fine.
Some of those humongous houses I told you about yesterday are owned by expatriots living elsewhere like the US. They live very frugally in the States so they can build a mansion here to impress the neighbors. Their original plan is to retire here. However, the kids are born in the States and don't want to come back here much less live here. They have gotten used to the soft life and have no intention of returning here other than for a visit. The parents may or may not eventually return here. Anyway, they pour all their money into houses and possessions here. We went to see one of these after seeing Gita's place. The livingroom furniture is western as are the beds. Mixer, water purifier, large screen TVs, etc. A much larger kitchen than mine. There was an open stairwell upstairs to four bedrooms. The bathrooms were huge and well-equipped by our standards. I have no idea how much square footage there was. There was also a car in the carport dripping oil. There is a caretaker who let us in.
Also learned that by law there is no longer a caste system. If a person refers to another person by their caste affiliation, supposedly they spend the rest of their life in jail. Don't know how often this occurs, but it seems like a real deterrent to me. Hypothetically, there is no caste system, but in reality something like that is very hard to change and will take years and years. What used to be called the 'untouchables' can have a job in the government, but Gita apparently tried it and wasn't at all comfortable with it because of the discrimination (subtle though it might have been (or overt)) made her uncomfortable. So she came back here to work.
We had our pictures taken yesterday because the only foreigners most of the people here ever see are those who come to Ayurveda Hospital. We are something of a novelty. Even the middle-aged men have started smiling and speaking to me! Guess they've decided I'm harmless.
Until tomorrow. Take care and be kind to others.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Day 9, Friday, May 22, 2009
I was going to email this, but since we have others joining us here is the South India guidebook definition of Ayurveda:
"With its roots in Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda is derived from ayu (life) and veda (knowledge); it is the knowledge or science of life. Principles of Ayurvedic medicine were first documented in the Vedas some 2000 years ago, but it may even have been practiced centuries earlier.
Ayurveda sees the world as having an intrinsic order and balance. It argues that we possess three 'doshas' (humours); 'vata' (wind or air); 'pitta' (fire); and 'kapha' (water/earth). Known together as the 'tridoshas', deficiency or excess in any of them can result in disease--an erxcess of 'vata' may result in dizziness and debility; an increase in 'pita' may lead to fever, inflammation and infection, 'Kapha' is essential for hydration.
Ayurvedic treatment aims to restore the balance, and hence good health, principally through two methods: 'panchakarma' (internal purification) and massage. The herbs used for both grow in abundance in Kerala's moist climate, and every village has its own Ayurvedic pharmacy.
Having an occasional Ayurvedic massage, something offered at tourist resorts all over Kerala, is relaxing but you have to goin for the long haul to reap any real benefits--usually 15 days or longer. Expect a thorough examination bollowed by an appropriate Ayurvedic diet, exercises and a range of treatments, as well as regular massages." And there you have it.
Last night Colonel Babu took us on a road trip to a Hindu temple. Shiva Temple. Interesting. There was a huge banyon tree in the courtyard where services (?) are held. We saw some kind of an 'ask for a blessing' happening. This guy goes into the inner sanctum of Shiva (?) (I don't know if this is the name of the temple or a special god. Hindus also believe that all faiths lead to the same God.) in which there are dozens of lit candles with a golden statue of Shiva? When he is done praying, he comes out and gives the people who have been chanting some mushed up sandalwood which the people then put on their foreheads and their throats. He also gives some sweet-smelling blossoms, which reminded me of frangipani. There's more to what we saw, but it's hard to explain. Maybe David's pictures came out better than mine. This temple is to a guy with an elephant trunk. There is also a picture of his wife, which people pray to. And a place having to do with the elephant guy and a huge phallic symbol. I believe this is fertility and well-being of the family.
It was a lengthy, harrowing ride to the Temple, but Colonel Babu drove safely with us. Some roads are dirt. Some are paved, but aren't even 8 feet wide (going both ways--we share the roads). We did manage to be on a three lane road for part of the way. I think the middle lane is to play chicken while passing slower vehicles. We saw lots of humongous houses--even by American standards. Remember the Dubai connection. We'll try to determine if any of these might be to industrial giants or whatever. Colonel Dubai says that people here buy houses to impress their neighbors. We saw water buffalo, dry rice paddies, loads of people, men playing cricket as well.
Today's topic is insects. There really haven't been a lot flying around, probably because there are tons of different species of birds eating them. I've seen a few mosquitoes and a big horsefly-type insect sucked blood out of my leg this morning. Something goes around making small red dots, which I've been told is an insect bite. At night there are all kinds of flying things if you leave the lights on. This morning, Raechel, there was a humongous cockroach in the entryway. I took a picture next to a book so you can prove to people that you weren't exaggerating the size.
The striking thing is the zillions of ants here. (Outside) Between the birds and the ants, it is a well-cleaned up place. I rarely see bird doo. Any dead insect or part of a dead insect is carted away by the ants. Very efficient.
I can't believe this is so long, and I still have half an hour before the internet poops out.
Forgot to tell you that we have a new patient here. An Indian born and raised in the UK. His parents moved there 40 years ago so he is first generation. And Muslim. I have already bombarded him with questions, and the poor guy is suffering jet lag, although only 4 1/2 hours worth.
Also forgot to tell you that we saw the herbs that go into the kiri (pummelors mentioned yesterday) and watched the process as well. They have different herbs depending on who they are for. They are made new every three days.
Okay. I'm done for today.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
I was going to email this, but since we have others joining us here is the South India guidebook definition of Ayurveda:
"With its roots in Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda is derived from ayu (life) and veda (knowledge); it is the knowledge or science of life. Principles of Ayurvedic medicine were first documented in the Vedas some 2000 years ago, but it may even have been practiced centuries earlier.
Ayurveda sees the world as having an intrinsic order and balance. It argues that we possess three 'doshas' (humours); 'vata' (wind or air); 'pitta' (fire); and 'kapha' (water/earth). Known together as the 'tridoshas', deficiency or excess in any of them can result in disease--an erxcess of 'vata' may result in dizziness and debility; an increase in 'pita' may lead to fever, inflammation and infection, 'Kapha' is essential for hydration.
Ayurvedic treatment aims to restore the balance, and hence good health, principally through two methods: 'panchakarma' (internal purification) and massage. The herbs used for both grow in abundance in Kerala's moist climate, and every village has its own Ayurvedic pharmacy.
Having an occasional Ayurvedic massage, something offered at tourist resorts all over Kerala, is relaxing but you have to goin for the long haul to reap any real benefits--usually 15 days or longer. Expect a thorough examination bollowed by an appropriate Ayurvedic diet, exercises and a range of treatments, as well as regular massages." And there you have it.
Last night Colonel Babu took us on a road trip to a Hindu temple. Shiva Temple. Interesting. There was a huge banyon tree in the courtyard where services (?) are held. We saw some kind of an 'ask for a blessing' happening. This guy goes into the inner sanctum of Shiva (?) (I don't know if this is the name of the temple or a special god. Hindus also believe that all faiths lead to the same God.) in which there are dozens of lit candles with a golden statue of Shiva? When he is done praying, he comes out and gives the people who have been chanting some mushed up sandalwood which the people then put on their foreheads and their throats. He also gives some sweet-smelling blossoms, which reminded me of frangipani. There's more to what we saw, but it's hard to explain. Maybe David's pictures came out better than mine. This temple is to a guy with an elephant trunk. There is also a picture of his wife, which people pray to. And a place having to do with the elephant guy and a huge phallic symbol. I believe this is fertility and well-being of the family.
It was a lengthy, harrowing ride to the Temple, but Colonel Babu drove safely with us. Some roads are dirt. Some are paved, but aren't even 8 feet wide (going both ways--we share the roads). We did manage to be on a three lane road for part of the way. I think the middle lane is to play chicken while passing slower vehicles. We saw lots of humongous houses--even by American standards. Remember the Dubai connection. We'll try to determine if any of these might be to industrial giants or whatever. Colonel Dubai says that people here buy houses to impress their neighbors. We saw water buffalo, dry rice paddies, loads of people, men playing cricket as well.
Today's topic is insects. There really haven't been a lot flying around, probably because there are tons of different species of birds eating them. I've seen a few mosquitoes and a big horsefly-type insect sucked blood out of my leg this morning. Something goes around making small red dots, which I've been told is an insect bite. At night there are all kinds of flying things if you leave the lights on. This morning, Raechel, there was a humongous cockroach in the entryway. I took a picture next to a book so you can prove to people that you weren't exaggerating the size.
The striking thing is the zillions of ants here. (Outside) Between the birds and the ants, it is a well-cleaned up place. I rarely see bird doo. Any dead insect or part of a dead insect is carted away by the ants. Very efficient.
I can't believe this is so long, and I still have half an hour before the internet poops out.
Forgot to tell you that we have a new patient here. An Indian born and raised in the UK. His parents moved there 40 years ago so he is first generation. And Muslim. I have already bombarded him with questions, and the poor guy is suffering jet lag, although only 4 1/2 hours worth.
Also forgot to tell you that we saw the herbs that go into the kiri (pummelors mentioned yesterday) and watched the process as well. They have different herbs depending on who they are for. They are made new every three days.
Okay. I'm done for today.
Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny
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