It is amazing how quickly life here feels normal. The daily trip to the hospital, the security check by armed men, the mirror looking under the truck. Marathon hellos to everyone. The warmth and the welcome. The whispered "salaam" from beneath burquas. Visiting patients. Patient rounds with the nurses and then with the doctors. The really interesting questions from the doctors regarding the differences between our countries. The occasional handshake from a man. Teaching a group of interested and motivated students. Downloading information to feed appetites hungry for knowledge. ( I will never again take our access to books for granted). Meeting the doctors and nurses from neighbouring provinces who have come to learn from the staff at Cure. The pride of being a small part of something so good.
The stories of loss. Being in country that, after decades of invasion, doesn't have the resources to take care of everyone. Being here means looking into the eyes of a young man at the clinic who is having a heart attack and learning that no hospital has room for him. Seeing the pain in the eyes of the doctor who tells him the bad news.
OK, I don't want to dwell on the sad stuff right now.
We were invited to the home of one of the surgeons for a traditional Afghan dinner. The food was delicious, and the room was shockingly cold.
The K Love guys were exhausted and jet lagged and had a bit of a snooze
We were assured that this is perfectly normal at an Afghan dinner - a room full of men eat, dance, then fall asleep. What was not normal was having women in the room. Ah the challenge of mixing up cultures!
Back from being out of touch in Tunica Mississippi. Got caught up on all your most interesting experiences and so very glad you are safe and sound. What a trip for you!
ReplyDeleteAll well here. Greg picked me up at the airport so I am now all caught up with everyones news.
Must say that you top the list for interesting.
Loads of love