Firsts

Aside from previously mentioned domestic tasks, my 12 days in Ladakh have provided me with the opportunities for many other firsts.  My first polo match, hitch hiking experience(s)*, donkey sanctuary, and my first trip to a foreign hospital to name a few.

So maybe a little hiccup in paradise…

Going back a few days, I’ve had an ongoing upset stomach at the campus which made it impossible for me to arouse an appetite during this time.  At the risk of sounding completely ethnocentric,   the food leaves little to be desired.  It is essentially the same meal everyday which is “skew”, a stew made from overcooked vegetables and spices, and from the onset of my feeling less than regular, it’s been difficult for me to manage the smell wafting into my room - a few doors down from the kitchen.  Following a meal of crackers and peanut butter, M and I made a plan to go into the city for a few days break to stabilize our sanity (will get to that) and systems while the kids were out on a regional survey.  We met up with another volunteer, J, and indulged our taste buds and feelings of freedom.  However, with the setting sun my private party was explosively interrupted, but being one to always look for the silver lining, I arrived at the following conclusions of gratitude: Grateful to not have chosen the guesthouse with the ensuite bathroom as there would have been a great risk of traumatizing my new mates, grateful that our accommodation had a “western toilet” (with water in it and everything), and grateful that my hour(s) of reckoning came at a time when I wasn’t rafting down the Indus river.  It also has to be said that I would rather experience the “Bombay Blast” while in Ladakh than contributing to the daily grind in a full bill of health.  

The next morning, my surrogate mommies insisted on dragging my reluctant corpse to the hospital. To be honest, it was roughly what I expected it to be; I longed for the NHS for the first time in my life, but I also appreciated that it could have been a lot worse.  The nurses appeared to respect a first come first serve queuing system which doesn’t appear to be the case for any other establishment here.  The turnover of patients was dealt with at a reasonable pace, and although the instruments used appeared to be dated by the standards I’m accustomed to, it got the job done and I felt that the doctor knew exactly what she was doing.  The cost of my medication and consultation came out to about £0.43 so I don’t think my insurance will be hearing from me about that one…

sign in hospital waiting area

In relation to the shared frustrations at the campus, there appears to be much less organization than what I was expecting for the teaching curriculum and programme for the students.  Especially when the students are involved with other visiting organizations, the volunteers are the last to be informed about the agenda and what classes are required on that day.  It is early days, but the lack of structure for both staff and students isn’t boding well with me at the moment.  The other volunteers and permanent staff members who have been there for much longer are at breaking point which reaffirms my perceptions.  There is a lot more to be said about the subject, but am wary about going off on one before I attempt to give it my level best.  However, the absence of organization is one of many issues that weigh on my conscience about this particular project.
  

On a positive note, one of the local volunteers is sitting a sociology exam in October.  Thanks to Mr. Zwiers it’s a subject that I almost majored in (until my university professor told me that I could look forward to doing his job) so I’ve started giving one-to one tuition to him in the evenings.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the subject and hope to impart the same excitement that it still produces in me. 

on the back of a truck with Dorjay, the dog who followed us

*Note: Hitch hiking is pretty normal here.  As a woman I was advised not to hail military vehicles, but most people are very accommodating and they usually do not accept if you try to offer them money.  So far, I’ve always gone in groups and I consider myself to be sensible so any worries can be shelved.