Lately, I have been observing medical doctors and nurses at the rural health clinics, and mobile clinics. I am learning about the common illnesses that patients come in with and the different remedies prescribed. I have seen a lot of common cold, cough and fever mainly because it is monsoon season. There is a lot of upset stomachs because since it is monsoon season, when it rains the drinking water gets contaminated by the other water. Most of the illnesses are simply solved but it's just the fact for people to know the services that are available and take advantage of them. Also, I am able to participate in a lot of ante-natal care. I learned how to find the position of the fetus, the fetal length, and their heartbeat. It's not too difficult, but every time a pregnant woman comes in I get pretty excited. Not that I'm set on ante-natal care but that it's something I can participate in without speaking Marhatti (the local language). A lot of women come in and don't know how pregnant they are because they never learned how to tell. I think illiteracy is a constant battle with health care here, and anywhere of course. The medical officers see one patient after another after another. Unlike in the U.S., here people with all different problems will come see the doctor all at once. There will be four people in the room surrounding the doctor. It's quite a sight to see! The rural health clinics are mostly based upon walk-ins, however, they do have appointments but no one follows them. The clinics close from 12-2pm for lunch, and a lot of the staff take naps after eating during this time. I can't get used to the naps, so I normally just read. I just finished the Glass Castle, which if you haven't read it-I recommend it. The Glass Castle is about a family that doesn't really follow society's rules. They roam from place to place, living in the desert or a run-down house with no electricity. However, the parents keep the three children excited about learning, and fill their world with imagination and excitement. I can't give you all the details, but it's good! Also, all of the rural health clinics and the mobile clinics provide free treatment to women, children and the elderly over 65 years of age. The prescriptions are all at low cost, so it is affordable for everyone to purchase them.

This last Sunday we went to Shiridi where there is a temple of Sai Baba. Since I didn't know a lot about Sai Baba, I received more information from one of the medial students at PMT. He said there are a lot of versions but basically Sai Baba could heal anybody he came in contact with. He would put his hands in boiling water and wouldn't get burned. There were thousands of people at this temple. There is a little hallway with his pictures, shoes and clothing. When I went to look at them closer up a herd of people came barreling through. I thought I was going to get trampled! It was quite an experience. I felt a little bad, because here I am in front of this magnificent temple where people wait four hours to just get into the temple and worship, and I hardly know anything about the guy. But on the upside, it was nice to see people with blind faith. I feel like sometimes, everything has to be proven to be true. And here that is just not the case. We then went to the biggest cafeteria I have ever seen in my whole entire life. I mean I'm only 22 years old but still it served thousands of people at one time. Surprisingly, they served the food very efficiently; they came to you with food on a cart and poured rice and curry on your plate with some other dishes that I couldn't name. I actually never know what I am eating. Thank the Lord I don't have food allergies, or I would be a mess! Haha

That wraps up my life as of right now! I think we are going to a strawberry mountain this weekend, so I'm sure that will be fun! Maybe there will be some hiking involved, cross your fingers! 