First Day in India

I made it!  I couldn't connect to the WiFi in the Dubai Airport, so I'm giving you two days' worth of blogs today:

Dubai was super smoggy and super hot, definitely not a good combination.  I couldn't even get a picture of their really tall building because I couldn't see past all the smog.  I left the Premier Inn around 10:30 am and got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.  We took off from Dubai around 3:00 pm their time and flew into Chennai around 9:00 pm their time. I was picked up by one of the drivers for Rising Star who managed to get us through all the crazy Indian traffic safe and sound.  When I arrived to campus around 11:00, I got a short tour and introduction from Dr. Navita, she's the main medical coordinator here.  She is from a different part in India, went to Europe to get her MD and came back to India to work for Rising Star, needless to say, she is awesome.  I met my two roommates Shane and Mike (also super cool guys), and then we all went to bed. 

This morning we got up, got ready and went out to Chettipuniyam, one of the nearby colonies.  We treated maybe 10 people who showed up and I was on Glucometer and Blood Pressure duty.  For those not familiar with diabetes, to get their Random Blood Sugar you need to prick the finger, put the blood onto a test trip and stick that in the Glucometer to get a reading.  I felt really bad for one lady who jumped after I pricked her finger (probably swore at me in Indian too), I felt even worse when I found out she didn't need her blood tested at all and had just wandered over to my station on accident ha.  The language barrier is really tough, but I'm sure I'll find ways to communicate with the people.

After we finished up, we went to a nearby shopping district. I guess it's preferred that guys where 3/4 length pants so the last couple pictures is us out on the town looking for clothes.

First impressions of India:  SUPER HOT.  It actually reminds me a lot of the Dominican Republic in terms of poverty level; the motorcycles are the same, the cities are set up the same way, even the buildings look really similar.  The food is super good so far, and the people are super nice/friendly.  Those in the colonies we helped were especially grateful. Day 1 has been a success, and I'm really excited to keep doing this for the next couple of weeks.

Turns out Dubai is kinda nasty

Airport Shuttle in Dubai (Just like the Guaguas of the DR)

Old Reliable

It cost $10, but was totally worth it

I think I'm rich?

Random prayer in the Dubai Airport

The dormitories

Rising Star Outreach Campus

Our mode of transportation to and from
the colonies

On our way

Photo Cred: Shane Maryott

Seriously... so hot

Our little set-up clinic

Glucometer/Blood Pressure Station

Photo Cred: Shane Maryott

Photo Cred: Shane Maryott

Clothes Shopping

I need one of these