Uniting for Sight in India!

Pictures from the entire trip!

Susan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:45:16 +0000

Kalinga Eye Hospital and Research Center

In the refraction room.

Eye exams.

Patients, after surgery.

Waiting for surgery.

Dr. Garnaick examining a patient at a camp.

A paramedic checking blood pressure.

At an outreach camp.

Who doesn't want to see more pictures of these two?!

Rickshaws.

The roads are crazy!!

Trash is everywhere. I only saw 1 trashcan my entire trip!

The market!

Samosas!!

A boy, who received cataract surgery, and his father.

My henna, done by Sylvia!

The volunteers, after watching surgery.

Serving lunch on our last day!

Poor Pascal!

Showing off Sylvia's beautiful work!

The Qutab Minar.

The Lotus Temple.

Sightseeing with Marjorie and Doug!

India Gate.

Humanyun Tomb

Just when I thought the adventures were over…

Susan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:22:16 +0000

Sylvia, Pooneh, and I left the hospital Tuesday morning for the Bhubaneswar airport. It was so sad to say goodbye to Lauren and the paramedics! When I become an optometrist, I hope the return to the Kalinga Eye Hospital. In the meantime, I guess I better start learning Oriya!

Well, Pooneh and Sylvia had flights in the morning so they went to the airport immediately. My flight wasn’t until 830 PM so I spent the day at Sarang’s house, with his son, Shyne. Their house was absolutely beautiful, with marble floors and a rooftop garden. It was quite a contrast to the houses I had been visiting for the past few weeks. They also had a live-in chef and driver, which is common among the middle and upper classes in India. They dropped me off at the airport around 6:30 PM and I prepared to leave for Delhi. I had been nervous about flying back alone; however, everyone assured me it would be fine! But, after waiting only about 30 minutes, they announced that my flight would be delayed an hour. This started to make me nervous because my layover in Delhi was only two and half hours. After another few minutes, they announced my flight would be delayed an hour and a half!! I was horrified! I knew if was going to be difficult for me to make the connecting flight in Delhi… It turns out, it was not difficult- It was impossible. The plane didn’t touch down until 12:15 AM, the exact time my flight to Chicago was scheduled to leave. Although I did my best to remain calm while I waited for my luggage, I could not help but to get upset. The workers from Kingfisher Airlines offered to put me in a hotel for the night, free of charge; however, they told me I’d likely have to buy another plane ticket to the U.S. (That would have been another 2000 dollars.) At that point, I couldn’t hold back the tears. I feel bad about that now because the men from the airline were shocked and didn’t know what to do when I started crying!! They just kept saying, “PLEASE don’t cry miss! We’re your friends!” They recommended I spend the night in the hotel and book a new flight in the morning, since the airports were closing. I didn’t have many options so I agreed. The hotel was actually gorgeous! It was what I’d consider an Indian Hilton! I thought, if I’m going to be stranded in India, this isn’t a bad place to be! I talked to my mom and she was able to reschedule my flights, free of charge. They were scheduled for the same times, simply one day later.

The next morning, at breakfast, I met an American engineer who told me he’s been to India dozens of times working on some machinery at the airport. I was speaking to him from across the room and told him how I had missed my flight. After breakfast, a couple from Australia, Marjorie and Doug, approached me and said they had overheard my story. They said that they had booked a car to take them to some of the main sights in Delhi and asked if I wanted to join them. I was ecstatic! (I had planned to sit in the hotel for the remainder of the day, until my flight, 14 hours from then.) I thus spent the day sightseeing with Marjorie and Doug. We visited the Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Humanyun Tomb, and underground marketplace. It’s upsetting to think I almost left India without seeing these beautiful structures! I enjoyed listening to Marjorie’s and Doug’s travel stories just as much as seeing the sights! They have visited nearly every country in the world it seems like! I feel so blessed to have met them and so grateful that they decided to take me in for the day! I got a surprise when I discovered the Lotus Temple was the Baha’i temple, where Pooneh was supposed to be volunteering! I knew that was a very small chance that I’d see her… but I did!!! It was hilarious to see her face while she walked up to me. I’m sure she was wondering what in the world I was still doing in India and how I ended up at the temple!

Marjorie and Doug had a flight at 11 PM and mine was at 1215 again, so we ate one last Indian dinner and departed for the airport. It was most difficult saying goodbye to them! The remainder of my trip went very smoothly! Thank goodness!! I was so giddy as I got ready to board my flight to Chicago. I think I nearly skipped onto the plane! The 15 hours went by very quickly, mainly because I fell asleep every few hours, due to pure exhaustion.

Now that I am safely home, I’m sure I wouldn’t have wanted things to turn out any differently. My day in Delhi with Marjorie and Doug was one of the best days of my trip! It was also interesting to see how different New Delhi, a major city, was from Dhenkanal, a much smaller one. In Dhenkanal, everyone seemed genuinely excited to see us and lived much simpler. In Delhi, I felt like people were always trying to take advantage of us and sell us things. It seems the different states and cities of India are just as diverse as the different states and cities of the U.S.

There are a few things I hope I brought back from India and can keep forever: enjoyment of the present, appreciation of family and friends, knowledge of optometry, patience and tolerance in difficult situations, and, most of all, memories of all of the wonderful people I met. I want to thank all of you again for whatever role you played in helping me with this trip! I love you all!

Pictures!

Susan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:10:29 +0000

Patients waiting for surgery.

With some of the paramedics!! I'll miss them dearly!

One of the pediatric cases from this morning.

During one pediatric surgery.

In my Sari, with Suprava!

All the girls!

My Last Day :(

Susan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:43:45 +0000

Today was my last official day at Kalinga Eye Hospital! I’m so sad to leave but had a wonderful day! This morning, we got to watch 3 pediatric surgeries. All of the children had cataracts and were found during yesterday’s outreach camp. Thus, they will receive their surgeries for free. The children were all boys- ages 5, 4, and a year and a half. I’ve seen many cataract surgeries here on older patients so it was very interesting to watch surgeries on children. Unlike during surgery of older patients, anesthesiologists were present today because the children needed to be sedated before surgery. It was frightening, even for me, to see their tiny bodies lying on the surgery table. I can’t imagine how the mothers and doctors felt! After the surgeries, Lauren, Sylvia, Pooneh, and I dressed up in sarees and served food to the KEH staff, as a big thank you! They got such a kick out of seeing us dressed up and serving them! We also had a little photo shoot on the roof of the hospital, which has an amazing view! Tonight after dinner, we are planning to show the KEHRC staff a slideshow of many of the photos we’ve taken at the hospital. I know they will love it! I’m going to miss everyone sooo much. I feel like I’ve been here much longer than 15 days. Pooneh, Sylvia, and I leave for the Bhubaneswar airport, tomorrow at 5 am. Lauren will stay here for another 2 weeks. Sylvia is staying with her family in Mumbai, until August when she moves to DC. Pooneh will be going to Delhi to serve at a Baha’i temple for July. I am not looking forward to the 15 hour flight from Delhi to Chicago; however, I can’t wait to see my family! I will post a few pictures from the day’s activities but keep an eye out for a lot more, within the next few days!

The past few days.

Susan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:08:35 +0000

Yesterday morning, Sylvia and I went to a temple close to the hospital. We weren’t sure if we would be allowed to go in but the priests (or whatever the Hindu equivalent is) invited us in immediately! Sylvia and her family have been living in Mumbai for the last few years, so she knew a lot and could tell me about the temple and Hindu religion. Two of the priests blessed us and offered us holy water and a leaf to eat! It was so interesting! The remainder of the day was great but uneventful. I helped catalog all of the eye drops and ointments in the medicine shop. I decided I definitely do not want to be a pharmacist. Optometry is definitely much more exciting! Today, I finished typing some things for Paschal and we all helped him think of a motto for the hospital. Pooneh and I also went around and took pictures of all of the eye care equipment. After we finished our work, we went into the market again because Lauren wanted to get an outfit tailored. While we were walking back, we saw Jogi and Bunu, two men who work at the hospital. They gave us a ride back to the hospital on their motorcycles! So fun!!

I’m beginning to really like most of the food! I think it just took me a week to get adjusted. I’ve been really hungry every day! However, the water purifier has not been working, so we’ve had to walk to the market to get bottled water, each day. Luckily, a bottle of water is VERY cheap. Actually, EVERYTHING is very cheap! 1 dollar is approximately equal to 50 rupees. Thus, in India, 1 dollar could buy you any of the following:

5 bottles of water (10 rp. ea.= 20 cents each)

A roundtrip train ticket (25 rp. each way= 50 cents each way)

A 30-minute massage (50 rp.= 1 dollar! We plan to take advantage of this before we leave!)

I switched over 60 dollars to 2900 rupees and still have 1800 left! It is going to be a shock to arrive back in the U.S. and spend more on a sandwich than I have during my entire two weeks in India!

That is all I have to report now. I cannot believe I only have 3 days left here!! I am going to miss everyone so much. I wish so badly I could just bring all of the paramedics back to America to show them around my country! It would be so fun to see their faces react to every little thing there. Unfortunately, I know many of them will never be able to see our wonderful country. Sylvia’s family is moving back to Washington DC in a month so I’m hoping Pooneh and I can meet Sylvia and Lauren in DC for a weekend sometime!

Sooner than expected!

Susan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:53:50 +0000

A cute little boy and his monkey at one of the camps!!

: The girls with Pratik’s sweet, sweet Grandma!

In front of the Hindu temple.

More Adventures- but good ones!

Susan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:33:17 +0000

Sunday was one of the best days I’ve had since coming to India! Lauren, Pooneh, Sylvia, and I took a train to Bhubaneswar. One of Pooneh’s friends from high school, Pratik, is staying with his grandmother there. The train ride took about an hour and a half and was quite entertaining. We met an incredibly nice man who led us out of the train station when we arrived, helped us get a rickshaw, and then rode with us to Pratik’s house so he could direct the driver where to go. Sylvia knows some Hindi, which has helped us get around; however, it was a lot easier having someone with us who speaks fluent Oriya. Once we arrived at his grandmother’s house, we ate an amazing lunch!! She had insisted on cooking a huge lunch for us and refused to let us say thank you for ANYTHING! She just kept thanking US for coming! She even started crying and told us we all reminded her of her daughters. It was one of the most touching moments I’ve ever experienced and one that I will never forget! After giving her a million hugs, we then walked a few blocks to Pratik’s uncle’s house, where we met more of his kind, welcoming family. Here, we met Shovanni, Pratik’s 15 year old cousin who lives in Phoenix but is visiting. We were then treated to an amazing show! Shovanni showed us the Indian-American fusion dance she choreographed and preformed for her Uncle’s 50^th birthday. She was so incredible!! Pratik then proceeded to sing and dance for us. He was so incredible!! Talent definitely runs in their blood! After the amazing talent show, Shovanni taught us a few Indian dance steps. Pratik recorded us learning to dance so I will have to show some of you when I return. It is quite funny! The family driver then drove us to a few stores and to a Hindi temple. The temple was closed, since it was “naptime” for the gods; however, we got to look at the outside which was so neat! After these excursions, it was time for us to head back to the train station to ride home. At the train station, we were pretty much like an exhibit at the zoo- people would just gather around and watch us. Many took pictures. While we were joking about telling Pratik that we missed our train, we realized that the train that was preparing to leave, the train we had been looking at for 30 minutes, was actually the train we needed to be on! Thus, we all had to jump onto the moving train, into the arms of dozens of Indian men who were trying to pull us on! I think I can say I’ve officially lived, now that I’ve jumped onto a moving train… in India… On the train, we talked to the men standing with us. One guy insisted Pooneh and I sit on his luggage so we didn’t have to stand. Another one asked us to take pictures with him so he could show his wife and kids! This will probably be the closest I’ll ever come to feeling like a celebrity! I will admit I don’t mind so much! What a great day!

Monday was rather uneventful. The power has been going out a lot recently (typically 6 or 7 times a day) so it is hard to get a lot of work done. (The internet has also been out for a few days which is why I have not been writing.)

Tuesday, I went to another outreach camp. We left at 5 am! We brought back 10 patients to receive cataract surgeries. It has gotten even hotter than when I first arrived. The heat was nearly unbearable on the drive home from the camp. Suneel told us that it was 49 degrees here! (I think that’s like 120 degrees Fahrenheit or something?!) I cannot wait to bask again in the cool 80 degree weather in Tennessee!

Today I got to watch the cataract surgeries on the patients we brought to the hospital. After each surgery, I aided in putting drops in each eye and putting on the bandage. The patients are returning to their villages tonight.

Overall, I am truly enjoying my time in India. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity! Thank you all so much!! I will try to post some pictures soon!

When I get home… I’m never eating rice again!

Susan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:08:46 +0000

I have not eaten very much since I’ve been in India for three reasons. 1- It’s usually so hot that I have no appetite. 2- I’m practically on the verge of sleep by the time dinner is served (around 9 PM). 3- I don’t like much of the food, especially if it’s really spicy. Lauren and I got spoiled the first night that we spent in Dehli because the Kapurs ordered us Domino’s pizza! (Most of you know I don’t really like pizza; however, Indian Domino’s is good!!!) Since being at the hospital, I find very little on my plate that I like. The cook here at the hospital makes a few American-like foods, but mostly just Indian foods. Dahl and rice are the main staples of food here in Orissa. Unfortunately, I don’t care for much for dahl, a yellow, soup-like substance made of vegetables like lentils. Thus, because rice is often one of the only things I like, I have eaten lots and lots and lots of it. The cook, Mr. Pappi, does take requests so he bought us yogurt and eggs this morning. It was nice to finally get in some calcium and protein, instead of just carbs! They eat few vegetables and fruits so when okra was on our plate today, I asked for more! I never thought I’d be asking for more okra! I’m eating more and more everyday but I’m pretty sure I’ve lost a few pounds since I’ve been here. Maybe going to India will become the new weight-loss program!

I’m beginning to lose another thing, as well: my English grammar! Because the paramedics know a limited amount of English, we find ourselves just getting to the root of each sentence. For example- “Are you doing well today” has become “You good today?” and “Are you going to dinner” has become “Dinner?” I have had the best time talking and hanging out with the paramedics though. They are so much fun and absolutely love us. The girls hug us and kiss us like we’ve all been friends for years! I’ve noticed, in India, there is no such thing as a personal bubble, which I’ve now become accustomed to. When I return to America (they don’t call it the United States), I will have to remember not to be so touchy!

We are planning to take a train into Bhubaneswar tomorrow to visit one of Pooneh’s friends who is in India right now. It is so fun being able to travel around and meet so many different people!

As promised…

Susan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:58:02 +0000

Some of the men at the camp after they received reading glasses!

So cute!

Handing out sunglasses after surgery.

: There are cows walking around everywhere!

Patients waiting at the outreach camp.

: My Room

The view from my window!

A Day of Adventures!

Susan — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:20:46 +0000

Yesterday, I went to the outreach camp. The Kalinga team planned to leave at 5:45 am to get to the camp by 10. The large bus would not start in the morning so we had to take the smaller bus. Lauren was suppose to come as well; however, they did not want to take 2 volunteers as that meant one less cataract surgery candidate could return with us. Little did she know she got off lucky! We were about 2 hours into the drive when our bus broke down! Unfortuantely, there is no AAA in rural India. We sat under a tree, on the side of the road for 2.5 hours while we waited for another driver and van to arrive. It was so incredibly hot! My family and friends would have been laughing hysterically to see me in this situation! Eventually, we arrived at the village. Once there, the ophthalmologist began examining patients for cataracts. The paramedic took the information for those who needed surgery and prepped them to return with us. Many of the patients who did not need surgery were given the reading glasses that I brought. They all wanted me to take a picture of them with their new glasses! It was so funny! After seeing all of the patients, we ate lunch at the house of a man who works at the hospital. After lunch, we piled 12 cataract patients, 3 villagers, 2 doctors, 1 paramedic, and 1 volunteer (me!)- 19 people- into a 14 person van! Luckily, I was in the front seat, hanging out of the window, so it was not too bad for me! However, I did say this was a day of adventures (plural). On the way back, we drove 1 hour in the wrong direction. This was actually not that surprising to me because there are no signs around here! I wondered how anyone finds their way around without a GPS or map, but I thought street signs were a given! The cataract patients spent the night at the hospital and received their free surgeries today.

Today, I got to watch the doctor prep their eyes and I helped them into scrubs for surgery. After surgery, I got to pass out the sunglasses we brought! The rest of today I have spent on the computer, researching big industries and companies in Orissa. Paschal, a man from France, is staying at the hospital for the next month working on marketing for the hospital to bring in more paying patients. He is hoping to get the support of the big companies in nearby districts. Tonight we are planning to visit two of the paramedics’ houses, nearby. We are going to meet their husbands! Marriages are arranged over here and marriage celebrations last days and days! I am hoping to see a wedding before we leave. And, I’m happy to say I have been sleeping very well these past few nights- they have installed AC! Oh, the simple pleasures in this country!

P.S. I will post some pictures very soon!