A series of firsts...

As is expected with travel in another country, Kara and I will be thrown into many experiences for the first time. However, in this case I am getting the pleasure of watching Kara's reactions to alot of things I had to adjust to my first time in India. First squatty potty experience, first attempt to eat with her right hand only, and general shock at the masses of people that greet anyone who arrives in a large Indian city like Mumbai. This was also Kara's first shot in the bum and I held her hand and did not blubber at the sight of a needle. Instead I was more concerned with verifying that it was clean, which sort of offended the doctor.

Kara got a little ill her first day and we called a doctor just to be on the safe side. He came, prodded her stomach a bit, asked her about her bowel movements, and proceeded to perscribe her 3 types of drugs and an injection. We did not realize at first what this meant until he asked Kara to roll over. "Are you going to give it to me in my butt?" She asked with extreme concern coming over her face. This fear proved to be correct, as she then was instructed to drop trow and face down on the bed. I clasped her hand and with a quick stab and smack on the cheek it was over.

It seems to be somewhat common practice to over-prescribe medication here as a way to be on the safe side when confronting potential water born diseases. This has the bonus of ensuring that the patient is cured of whatever bacteria or parasite they have swimming aroudn int their system, but also breeds bacterial resistance. Cipero is no longer the pill to pop when you have the poops because the responsible parties who are using you as their host have grown too smart for it. Many travelers will be disappointed to hear that this pill we have all learned to consider a friend can no longer aid us, but this is what happens when it is used to douse every case of indigestion we get. Not to worry there are still many varieties that I am sure I will be picking up at some point or another on this trip...



So three stabs and many pills later Kara is feeling well enough to travel via train down to Kochi, Kerala. This was my second time in Mumbai and unfortunately due to illness there was not much that we did outside of hanging out at Chowpatty beach and scheduling doctor's visits. Mumbai was a helpful city to arrive in since I was there last time I was in India and could navigate Colaba (the area where we stayed) easily enough, finding that the stands selling fruit, used books piled on the street corner, and jewelry vendors are in the exact same place I remember. I am trying to use a bit of my Hindi, and thus far have generated alot of amusement from whoever I attempt to communicate with since my skills don't even rival that of a toddlers yet. It should be enough to help us navigate our way down to Kochi.