Arrival

We made it! The flight was long...about 17 hours total in the air. Surprisingly the jetlag hasn't really been bad at all today! We got here late last night (1am India time) and slept well. Since we got in so late we weren't bombarded with people at the airpor. It felt semi-americanish! Our hotel is nice, but quite different than hotels the States. I am pleased to report that the bathrooms were normal! ;) (Alas, the question that my whole family was itching to hear the answer to) However Laura and I still aren't really sure where all the water from the shower goes...we can't find the drain haha. Today we met up with a very kind woman who has been our trip coordinator. We traveled by ricksaw (I think that's what it's called) to the local mall. It was actually a pretty dangerous experience. Mom, I am very much  alive so no worries! We went to shop for our salwar kameez (not really sure how to spell that...). The architecture of the mall actually reminded me a lot of Ridgedale mall. There was even a KFC inside! The major difference was that, since the mall was new, only a few stores were inside. We found our clothes at a store that I would imagine to be the equivilant of our Target. They had food, clothes, random household objects, etc. By the way, salwar kameez is the traditional Indian clothing that we are to wear at all times while in Mussoorie. In Delhi it is more acceptable to wear western clothing, but once we get into the rural areas it is expected for us to dress appropriately.

After our shopping experience we went to our coordinator's house to do an orientation for the hospital that we will be working at. We ordered Domino's Pizza (Jimmy-the pizza had peppers and I thought of you!) and it was super good. Our host kept harassing us to dirink coffee and tea until we finally succumbed to the pressure. It was like 100 degress (no joke!) but it was good anyway :) I technically hadn't really had a real meal before the pizza since leaving Minnesota... (Boppa, I know you are probably dissappointed with me because of this but allow me to explain!) The food on the airplane was funky.and, well, airplane food. This morning Laura and I chickened out when it came to the roomservice we were instructed to get for breakfast. Luna bars all the way! Dad, I will have you know that we are planning on having some kind of curry and naan for dinner, so none of this licorice and pringles for me! I'll let you know if I get sick, but hey, is all part of the adventure.

Right now I'm sitting in a sketch internet cafe. It's kind of amusing to just watch the people in here...but they're probably watching me too. The culture here is waaaay different from anything I've ever seen before. Zarema, our coordinator, was super helpful in showing us the do's and dont's for both the hospital and for India in general. I learned so much! So far I am loving it here. The people are so kind and helpful and very interesting! I can't wait to learn all I can.

We head up north to Mussoorie tomorrow at 5:30 am. I'm really looking forward to meeting the Weavers (our hosts) and seeing the hospital. I'll try and write again tomorrow, but I miss you all! I thank you for your prayers and encouragement for Laura and I as we spend our time here. It is truly a blessing :)

Love you all!

Kelli