Well sorry for the delay in writing its been so busy here. I got a lovely reference from the institute of cerebral palsy and people kept saying they would miss me which was really nice as I wasn't expecting that. I also got invited to a colleagues farewell party on my last day and they also mentioned that it was my last day so I had to say very briefly a few words of thanks to around 30 colleagues. Felt a little bad as didn't want to take attention away from colleague that was leaving. Had a lovely chocolate cake slice there. In the afternoon I got taxi to Indian museum then taxi to marble palace and then taxi to Mother Teresa's House. At Indian museum I felt like an exhibit myself as everyone wanted to shake hands with me. Marble Palace was unfortunately closed when got there and I also needed a pass from tourist centre to go in. Co-ordinator said give guard some money so I got ripped off just to walk around the grounds. Mother Teresa's House I was a bit worried about going on my own in case all the beggars approached me near it but it was a very peaceful, relaxing place. There was a service going on so took longer than planned and trying to hail a taxi after was a bit of a challenge. Taxi was stuck in traffic on way back because of a football match. Taxi driver did light up a cigarette that didn't smell right but I thought I am not getting out to try and find another taxi.

Getting through Kolkata airport was so stressful. I thought I was going to miss my flight and taxi was only a couple of minutes late. I first went to Indigo airlines tickets area as it was saying about getting printed tickets and I only had e-confirmation. They then sent me to check in desk and someone tried to print off my boarding card in queue and they couldn't do it. I got to front of queue to be told go and take baggage through screening. Queued again at baggage and at check in desk got to front again and was asked have I got credit card used to book tickets. I hadn't as been booked by company that my volunteer projects/internship has been booked with. They said I needed a fax or e-mail with credit card on it. If not I had to re-buy my tickets and then attempt to get refund. So I went to queue again to buy tickets and meanwhile I rang co-ordinator in Delhi and she said go and queue back in check-in queue and when get to front I will talk to them. Meanwhile she rang person who booked my flights in England. She was unfortunately woken up at 5am on Saturday morning which I did feel bad about. Person in England then spoke to them and they finally agreed to give me boarding card. This was at about 10:50 and my flight was due to start boarding at 11:05. Going through airport security was interesting as there was a womens only queue and I have course was in the mens as I hadn't realised. They then changed the boarding gate no so I was at wrong gate. Luckily it wasn't far away. It was a lovely flight though and I had a relax and a sleep. I had been up late the night before packing trying to squeeze everything in my case and separating the Indian clothes from English as worried about dye getting into English. It has already happened with some of my clothes as housekeeper must had picked them all up together for drying.

Was so much smoother getting away from Delhi airport than Kolkata. I had a lovely car pick me up and I was treated to this treatment for 3 days then I had to learn about real Delhi. Differences to Kolkata that I've notice is there seems to be newer buses, bus shelters, more sikhs and less horn blowing. Getting autos is more of a challenge which unfortunately I have to use for getting to work and you are suppose to barter with them to get best rate. Most of time I can't be bothered though as its about 10 rupees difference and all I care about is getting to work on time. On Sunday I went round the tourist sites with air conditioned car driver and guide. Saw Jammid mosque, got cycle rickshaw around market, Qutub minar, Humanyan palace, India gate, presidential buildings, Gandhi statue and Connaught Place. The cycle rickshaw was interesting took me down very narrow streets with wires hanging down and was a bit concerned when took me rather near to a lady carrying an overflowing rubbish bag or cart with dirty plates but he did avoid her. Also had a nice chinese meal at lunchtime watching an indian music channel with sweet and sour chicken and pepsi. Tour ended with going shopping. I wanted to go to mall but first took me to another shop first but I managed to escape without buying what I didn't want and then took me to a mall so I could get some clothes for work the next day. Was very surprised to see pedaloos around India gate.

Work I've learnt a little about anatomy of the heart, heart diseases, learnt to take a pulse, learnt about taking blood pressure and learnt a little about echocardiographs and I've had a go with using probe. I am really enjoying it. Does sometimes get a little boring. I am going to see some operations to check how squeamish I am.

I've got a roommate till 13th September so enjoyed going to market the other day with her but I am not sure about going on my own again. She is a good barterer. Some prices are fixed at market. I got a bag and an indian outfit. Homestay is really nice and I can taste the different food compared to Kolkata. There is also a Japanese male staying with family. I ate a chilli the other day at work and was trying to cover up my discomfort from the doctors. The chicken biryani and coke had been nice up to that point.

Well yesterday there was the bomb but luckily I was no-where near. There was also an earthquake last night of 4.2 on richter scale. It seemed quite similar to Nottingham tremour couple of years ago though so it was probably less where we were as we weren't at epicentre. I shrieked and Jo my roommate grabbed my arm. Going to go and see what is happening on the street now as think a parade may have just gone by as can hear drums.