Okay, so where did we leave it...

So, Jen and Kirsten had a really good time in ENT last week, got to experience lots of audiometry tests, hearing aid trials, ENGs and lots of speech and voice referrals. They also got the chance to see abit of gore when they saw some vocal nodules being removed in surgery! made friends with Tiki (Tamil version of Elvis!!), Rose, Freeda and karuna who are a bunch of really cool people. Have a lot of respect for how hard they work in the hospital as they see people from all over the country where over 10 different languages are spoken, meaning they have to be able to switch from patient to patient!!

Gen and Lucy went to nambikai niliyam (the kids ward) and spent their days cooing over all the lovely children and brushing up on their knowledge of developmental norms and autitistic spectrum stuff!! We were really impressed with the parent led 3 month programme which intensively trained the parents to positively encourage their children to become more independent and effective communicators. This programme also took into account the cultural needs of Indian family systems and aimed to educate parents in the hope of changing their attitudes towards their disabled child. In contrast to seeing so many loving parents in NN, we had a very different experience when we visted a Mother Teresa orphanage for destitute children, which really opened our eyes.

Onto Mahabilipuram...this place lived up to our expectations with its chilled out beach vibe with some cool temples! We also indulged in some scrummy seafood and serious retail therapy. Just what was needed after a hard week at "work"!!! See facebook for photos!

The world heritage temples were excellent and with a bit of help from the rather insitent and persuasive local "tour guides" we learnt us a bitta history and improved our knowledge of hinduism. Always remember, don't be a cashew.

On Monday we did a switch-a-roo on the departments we were in. Coming to an end now and we both enjoyed them.

Looking forward to our first Indian bus experience......(!) and hopefully another lovely weekend...this time PONDICHERRRYY! Another coastal town with french colonial roots.

TTFN!

Stay tuned!