Christmas in Delhi

A Very Merry Christmas everyone! Even though I'm in a country where a mere 2% of the population claim to be Christian, it seems that India is still embracing this worldwide event. Grabbing a bite at the local Evergreen Market last night (Christmas Eve) gave us a comical glimpse at the effort of the neighborhood in the form of the skinniest, silliest and pathetically masked Santa Clause jollily bouncing around, passing out candy and scaring little children. It was a riot! Fitting the "land of Christmas" profile, we've received many "Merry Christmases" from all those we meet on the street. According to Ryan (I was still asleep), there was a small parade out our window this morning complete with a band director and cute kids banging on drums. And to top off the list, after chatting with the other westerners at the hospital, there's going to be some holiday cheer downstairs in the common area, full with a performance from the staff (much to their chagrin) and strangely enough, a smorgasboard of way over-priced italian food. No worry, we're very excited that we'll be able to celebrate the tradition in a not-so-traditional location and atmosphere. Oh yeah, and that common area is decked to the hilt with Christmas fanciness!



Other than that, things have been just wonderful. It's so nice being able to ease into my India trip with the luxury of the room and board here. Things are undoubtedly going to be far more chaotic when I'm on my own, but that's the only way I'd have it! In addition to the comfort of not worrying about having to find a hostel or worrying about eating when when you don't want to, I'm slowly finding the feel for dealing with the locals and the dizzying pace of Delhi life. I've been hailing tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaws), wheeling and dealing with the vendors and market people, learning how to assertively cross the street (more difficult that it sounds!) but still trying to figure out how to deal with the heart-wrenching scenes of the desperately destitute. It's hard to justify not giving to a legless man swinging himself up to you with his arms, or an overwrought woman displaying her childs disfigured and infected limbs. Especially just after paying a little extra for that shirt you just bought. But I am trying to be as intentional with my business as I can, but that's a whole blog's worth of writing...at least.

With an update on my volunteer/work hunting, the search is proving more difficult than hoped. That is to say, nothing has fallen into my lap. But I do have at least one good lead with the only problem with it being that it is not health oriented. Dakshinayan, a very small organisation in the rural and newly formed state of Jharkhand, was put together in early 90's and focuses on the teaching children of their many spread out native tribes. The best part about the organisation is its sensitivity to imroving their culture through educating their youth, while still maintaining their invaluable traditional values and culture. There has been some dialogue with the director, but I would still ideally like to capture an opportunity that's specifically public health. This would still provide an amazing experience which would still be completely applicable in international interaction. The website is dakshinayan.org if you're interested and they also have some great videos availabe if you youtube "dakshinayan". Stayed tuned for updates!

Finally, a quick update on Ryan's treatment. She has clearly come a long way from when she first arrived for her summer treatment with her balance, deep sensations and all of her physical therapy exersizes. It's very exciting, and especially so when I can point out improvements that are outwardly clear even to me. This hasn't come without a lot of discomfort and effort. As you might imagine, the more you feel, the more you're able to sense pain before your body has a chance to adjust. Her first procedure was evidence of this and her wider range of feeling and you can get the first hand account on her on her blogpage at http://ryanmcleanfund.blogspot.com/ if you'd like. But needless to say, I'm so proud of the way she's taken everything in stride and relentless determination as her body continues to undergo major changes.

Ok, I'm leaving to go celebrate Jesus' birthday with the rest here at Nu Tech Mediworld. Merry Christmas and God bless!