"Did you know that your country avoided another terrorist attack by the Taliban? You guys were lucky. The Pentagon was targeted again."
I somehow manage to express my surprise whilst my wide open mouth houses some menacing (but sterile) looking utenstils.
"Spit."
Beside me is a trash can which contains what I can only assume is a sea of saliva and dental discards; this concludes yet another follow up visit after my Ladakhi root canal. Although further work is required in Delhi, I believe the worst to be over at the exorbitant cost of approximately £0.40. Throughout the process, Dr. Palden exercised great patience and was sympathetic enough to make small talk and dental commentary throughout the procedure. After my previously detailed moment of brief despair, I came to look forward to my treatments. I generally hate going to the dentist (which may account for why I've had to undergo a root canal in a third world country....not ideal) but I looked forward to my visits with Dr. Palden, not least because he acts as my immediate news source (his account somehow sounded more dire). It should be noted that at SECMOL we only get the local newspaper every few days and the focus tends to be on murder, vehicular catastrophes, and government corruption. People back at home knew about the earthquakes in India before I did.
Aside from oral sterilization accompanied with a mustachioed grin and second hand information, my time in the city has been fruitful. Every other day I have marinated in the freedom of my solo ventures, visiting the local library (essentially a large room where one can read books- they don't leave the premises), visiting the markets, and eating food that is both nutritious ad easy on the palate. However, I take the greatest pleasure in solo hitch hiking and hanging out of the local buses. The only drawback of the crowded bus rides has been avoiding the soldiers whose body weight just happens to press against yours with every bump. I quickly learned how to position myself so that my uniformed friends would be received with sharper limbs should they continue to entertain thoughts of "affection".
The tokens of physical affection that are welcome come from the students. I don't consider myself to expend such gestures lightly, although I naturally do not mind being on the receiving end. However, I am left with little room for distance as the young Ladakhis tend to drape themselves over each other and the volunteers. Very seldom can I carry out a conversation with without my hand being grasped in theirs. The boys, although affectionate with one another, tend to maintain physical boundaries with the females although a good wrestle or play fight is not lost on them. These rascals have now wormed their way into my consciousness to a point where they easily become my topics of conversation both in and out of the campus. I only have 3 weeks left with this wily bunch before I make my way to Nepal and I can foresee how difficult it will be to tear myself away.
I somehow manage to express my surprise whilst my wide open mouth houses some menacing (but sterile) looking utenstils.
"Spit."
Beside me is a trash can which contains what I can only assume is a sea of saliva and dental discards; this concludes yet another follow up visit after my Ladakhi root canal. Although further work is required in Delhi, I believe the worst to be over at the exorbitant cost of approximately £0.40. Throughout the process, Dr. Palden exercised great patience and was sympathetic enough to make small talk and dental commentary throughout the procedure. After my previously detailed moment of brief despair, I came to look forward to my treatments. I generally hate going to the dentist (which may account for why I've had to undergo a root canal in a third world country....not ideal) but I looked forward to my visits with Dr. Palden, not least because he acts as my immediate news source (his account somehow sounded more dire). It should be noted that at SECMOL we only get the local newspaper every few days and the focus tends to be on murder, vehicular catastrophes, and government corruption. People back at home knew about the earthquakes in India before I did.
Aside from oral sterilization accompanied with a mustachioed grin and second hand information, my time in the city has been fruitful. Every other day I have marinated in the freedom of my solo ventures, visiting the local library (essentially a large room where one can read books- they don't leave the premises), visiting the markets, and eating food that is both nutritious ad easy on the palate. However, I take the greatest pleasure in solo hitch hiking and hanging out of the local buses. The only drawback of the crowded bus rides has been avoiding the soldiers whose body weight just happens to press against yours with every bump. I quickly learned how to position myself so that my uniformed friends would be received with sharper limbs should they continue to entertain thoughts of "affection".
The tokens of physical affection that are welcome come from the students. I don't consider myself to expend such gestures lightly, although I naturally do not mind being on the receiving end. However, I am left with little room for distance as the young Ladakhis tend to drape themselves over each other and the volunteers. Very seldom can I carry out a conversation with without my hand being grasped in theirs. The boys, although affectionate with one another, tend to maintain physical boundaries with the females although a good wrestle or play fight is not lost on them. These rascals have now wormed their way into my consciousness to a point where they easily become my topics of conversation both in and out of the campus. I only have 3 weeks left with this wily bunch before I make my way to Nepal and I can foresee how difficult it will be to tear myself away.
yeah aren't men in india so bad bout that? I was groped more on one train ride in indian than in my entire life...
ReplyDeletewhere are you going in nepal? I have some friends there if you're interested in meeting up with someone. I hope things are going really well over there! I loved india! especially after I was back in my warm, clean bed! ^_^
-Emiko