Bowel infections and Bangalore :)

And here begins another fabulous trip to Bangalore with the motivation of a wedding dress try-out (see the text on 28^th may to know the whole story). It was planned to have the try-out dress made for me by the 15^th and if everything is according to my needs, they will start using the final fabric. Naturally I feel excited and at the same time very nervous. I have heard and also had own experiences of Indian enterprises not always living up to their promises. But there’s no use to worry about it before hand. Again I’m travelling by train, but this time it feels so much more easier. Naturally. I’ve delevoped a little understanding on how everything works and what I’m expected to do. Although I didn’t have any problems with it before, now I can concentrate to something else when travelling (or waiting for the train to arrive). For example, writing this blog can be quite inspiring in a hot waiting lounge full of people, who have no shame in reading over my shoulder. Well, I don’t really mind. I just hope they’re enjoying the outcome.

We have had some unlucky times the past few weeks. At first I had a very bad bowel infection. Something I have never experienced before. My stomach was like a balloon. No, more than that. Like a water balloon. I even had a dream that I was pregnant with twins, which made the next morning very surreal. And the pain was constant. At first it wasn’t too anguished, more like an continuing discomfort. But other times I would even wake up during the night to these twinges or at least have them through dreams. To get me even more worried, I felt a big lump on the right side of my stomach. But that’s fairly natural when the bowel is infected, it hardens. I had two sets of 4 different drugs and finally it is passing. The funny thing about medication here though is that when you receive them from the drug store, you don’t get any additional packages or other documents with them. You just have a brown pouch to which is written when to take the medicine and how many. You really put all your trust on to the doctor treating you. Bur the result speaks for itself; I haven’t felt better for weeks!

The next morning of my recovery Simo began to be in a very bad shape. He had a fever of 38°C which I was lacking the whole time, and he also had been throwing up all night. He had suffered similar symptoms a few days before, but they passed as quickly as they had started. I took him to the hospital and he was instantly put in an IV drop and antibiotic treatment. Thank god he is in a familiar hospital, surrounded by coworkers that really care for him. I am sure that he will be ok, but it’ll take some time. Simo got the same menu for the next few (and last!) weeks as I did: broken rice, cereal, a little bit of salt. That’s that for the rich cuisine of India…

I have been pleased with how the video interviewes turned out, but I must say that the most interesting conversations were always held off-camera. The final interviews were more disappointing, but that was due to my illness. I was in such a weak condition, that it was hard for me to find words or even ask the ones I had prepared on paper. But it gives a good enough picture. The little perfectionist in me would’ve demanded more though. Srs. Rachel has also been unable to help me with the health educator tour. She has had knee problems and I do prefer her resting rather than showing me around. I did get a tour with the local Y.M.C.A. Administrators, but their work didn’t have anything to do with what we are here to do. It is a totally different facility altogether, but they are the ones who are seriously adopting procedures from the TMM regarding waste and environmental management. I had one health educator with me, but she didn’t speak any english. Lovely girl though, we had a lot of fun dispite the language barrier. But for some reason, I did not see her ”in action”, which was fairly disappointing. Luckily I have done the tour before and got some photographs on the way, so at least I have that.

It seems that more and more people are feeling sick at the moment for one reason or another. Maybe its the heat, or there is something else going on. Nothing to worry about though, that’s life. I just have to get better before my wedding. I got no choice!!

Trains are never early, but if your lucky they're on time.. and they will transport you all around India with a relatively small fee (depending on your own demands).

~ Kirjoittanut thiruvalla2010 : toukokuu 14, 2010.