Today was another great day. Our group was assigned to medical (we alternate between medical, tutoring, and construction). Our job involved driving to the Chennai hospital, and basically being company for the patients we brought. They've been cured of leprosy, but still bear the shortened fingers and toes... and the only reason they're allowed at the hospital is because a doctor that once worked for Rising Star now works there, and I guess has talked the hospital into allowing the leprosy-afflicted to come on Wednesdays. As I was sitting there while we were waiting to be seen, I realized just how beautiful and amazing the Indian people are. It is such a different country, and everything seems backwards to what I'm used to... but they are so happy, and are willing to give so much; even when they have so little.
As far as the hospital goes, it apparently is considered one of the nicest in India, (I'm told it's where the celebrities and politicians go.) but in America it would be shut down pronto. There's no A/C, so it's pretty warm, it's much too dirty according to our standards, and it seems to be falling into disrepair. But it's also interesting because their hospital is everything. It's a doctors office, an eyeglasses shop, a pharmacy, a hospital, a psychiatry clinic. It's really interesting. But I've come to realize just how important it is to do what we were told to do on the very first day, to "look through India eyes." If you look beyond what we've grown up to expect, it is a such a beautiful place, with wonderful people.
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