Day 7

Day 7

Well, I’m more awake so I won’t post this on the blog 3 times….maybe!!

Today was supposed to be a medical camp in a village near Mysore, since we took 5 days to do the schools because of the strike, we called it off.  We just didn't have the staff or energy to pull it off, as Cindy, our Nurse Practitioner, was not feeling well today, more fatigue rather than illness.  Plus, we have lost 3 of our other examiners, so that would have left John and Jessica to see 500 patients.

There are elections next week, and there were several political demonstrations going on around town, lots of fireworks and yelling people.  In fact, some political bigshot is staying in our hotel, so police and media everywhere.

Instead, we toured a prison in Mysore.  Build by the British over 100 years ago, it is huge.  We toured a small amount of the prison, after signing in and getting stamped.  We were able to go into the women’s ward, which contained 81 women and 5 children, aged newborn to maybe around 5.  Several of the women were out in the courtyard filling boxes with incense. They get paid a small wage for this, it is voluntary, and they send the money to their families.  Many were in prison awaiting trial.

A person from Grace Community had donated money specifically for the prison, and it will be used to purchase a small stove for the women’s ward to warm milk for the children, and diapers.  Thank you.

We saw some of the work the male inmates were doing, repairing chairs, making rugs with looms, a woodworking area.  Overall, the prison was very clean.

We then travelled to the Beggar’s Colony.  We were able to give them some fruit.  They have a new building being completed that looks very nice.

We did a bit of shopping, and were accosted by the street vendors near the palace.  They do NOT take no for an answer, following us into the parking lot.  The deals get better the closer you get to leaving, but it is still is very uncomfortable. 

We had pizza for dinner with Tim and Karla, then headed back to the hotel to pack for checkout tomorrow morning.  We will be making the lovely 4 hour trip to Bangalore, then a busy Monday and fly out early Tuesday morning.  Our time here is almost done.

Oh, yes.  It was about 90 today, most of us have sunburns.  Sorry, Nebraska…..