As I look back at my pictures and think about my time in India, I realize that going to experience this country was one of the best decisions I have made in my life thus far. I remember arriving to Chennai, three plane rides and more than 20 hours later and thinking, "What did I get myself into?" Everything around me was new, yet now I realize that after a couple days all the honking, water-bottle carrying, hand sanitizer using and cattle watching, these were everyday things in India and I soon adapted to my surroundings.
I made a list of the top ten things I learned while in India.....Here it goes.....
10. Always be aware of your surroundings...I made the mistake of not watching before opening the car door in Jaipur and knocked two guys right off their bike. Lucky for me they didn't yell or scream. They just put their sandals back on, brushed off their shirts and continued their ride. :)
9. Beware of Indian monkeys....they may take your food when you're not looking. Luckily this didn't happen to me, but hey you never know.
8. Try to drive a rickshaw if you get the chance....this was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Sorry to my fellow MSIVs who feared for their lives as I drove! :)
7. Bargain, bargain, bargain....I got some cool things for cheaper than cents all because of a lil' bargaining.
6. Nightclubs across the world are way cooler than those down the street.
5. Pap smear samples can be taken even with a tongue blade, you don't need those fancy brushes!
4. Don't use your left hand to pass something...that hand has a sole purpose (ask me why personally and I'll tell you)
3. There's always time to get away from work for a coffee/tea/lime juice break! :)
2. If you are lucky enough to go to India, you can't leave without riding an elephant....Bimpe and I rode an elephant to the top of Amber Fort in Jaipur. It was something I will never forget!
1. A head moving from side to side, does mean "Yes!" Ok, so you ask what does that mean? Well I never mentioned it before, but on our first day in India at the check-in desk of Avanna Hotel, we asked the hostess to tell use exactly what we were paying for in our deposit. In doing so, she began to bobble her head from side to side as a way of agreeing with us, yet since I had never seen that before in my life, I automatically thought she was becoming angry and giving us a head shake with attitude! It was the funniest thing ever. After that day we noticed that everyone, even little kids, do the famous head bob; and after a couple days finally interpreted it as a form of agreement with whatever you are saying. Even the waiters bobble their head as you say your whole order at a restaurant. Sometimes it can get confusing because you might confuse the bob for a maybe, but no...it does mean yes! I also noticed that only people in South India do this, since I never saw anyone in the north bobble their head. It was an interesting custom and I guess I became so accustomed to seeing it everyday that I still do it now! :)
Thank you India for everything you have taught me about culture, life, medicine, but especially about myself. My month there was an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. I am forever grateful to the contributors of the Paul Brand, M.D. scholarship for making all this possible. Thank you!
1 comment:
I compliment you, Erica, on doing what more fourth year medical students should do -- travel abroad throughout the world. It appears as though you had a true life-enriching experience, and you were able to do a lot of good for your fellow citizens of the world. Read your entire blog. Fantastic job.
-Stephen E. Griffith
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