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.