Goa

I HAD to go to Goa for work. Poor me. Actually I was running the last of my 4 skills building workshops (this topic was Documentation and Reporting - to which I recruited the ever lovely Deepti to co-train with me). And I figured since it's the last one, we might as well splurge a little - and I do mean little!

We stayed at this ghetto'esque (We were drowning in white thrash Russians) place in the middle of no where. The closest real town was Panjim and that was 30 minutes away.

This was my first time in Goa, and I was looking forward to it. It has a lot of hype after all. But like most things that people can't talk enough about. It wasn't all that. Is it me all do all colonial, christian, coastal, tropical towns look a like?

Anywho, at least I got to scratch it off my "places I must visit list" and I did get to get some fresh air and clear skies for a a couple of days (and did I mention the couple of massages and the facial at the spa?). So it wasn't a total loss :-)

Dinner with the Funders/DFID (with Deepti and I behind them)

The resort (the place itself wasn't that bad, but the service SUCKED!)

I did manage to get a bit of touring done - To Panjim at least and Old Goa

St. Francis Xavier Church





Church Of Bom Jesus

St. Francis himself!

OMG They Have Panapen in India!

(I think it's called breadfruit in English - but I thought it was a Caribbean thing!)

Pretty Church in Panjim
(if you hadn't guessed by now, Goa was a Catholic colony from the Portuguese)
Panjim Vista

Calingute Beach, North Goa - Highly Overrated
Dinner with the Humsafar Crew

Spain Pics

Here are a few of the tourist pics that Ameet (as opposed to the artistic ones posted on his blog) and Anthony (he's are of the only free day that we had in Sevilla that was not tied up with travel or emergency room visits) took.

They day I landed in Barcelona - The last day my lip looked normal

Sevilla: Churros y Chocolate (the tastiest thing ever)

Sevilla: Posing in La Plaza de Espana
(after the first emergency room visit and still with a swollen lip)

Sevilla: Resting in La Catedral (The lip is really hurting)

Barcelona: Spanish/Castellano is not the first language
Barcelona: The area by the Hospital del Mar

Barcelona: The Frank Gehry fish

Barcelona: Really does have beautiful architecture
Barcelona: Ameet's crotch shotBarcelona: Hospital del Mar -
as seen in l'Auberge Espagnole and Todo sobre mi madre.

Barcelona: Escaped PatientBarcelona: Hospital silliness
(the crusty black bit is the dead tissue which will eventually fall off and leave a big gaping hole in the middle of my lip)

On-Line Quizzes

I know that all those on-line test are silly, but they are fun. And what strikes me is that sometimes they do have a layer of truth to them. Is it because they only address the superficial human dimensions that we are share or is there statistical significance to personality development.

Either way, they can be entertaining. Here is which superhero I would be:

I am Spider-Man

Spider-Man 90% The Flash 55% Robin 55% Green Lantern 50% Catwoman 45% Hulk 45% Superman 40% Wonder Woman 35% Supergirl 35% Iron Man 30% Batman 20%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Traffic

In the brief time in Spain where I was not dealing with medical drama I did get to feel the difference between Spain and India. First, its so much EMPTIER! On a day to day basis I really don't feel the burden of 1.1 billion people. That is until you go to another country and you realize how empty it is in comparison.

But mostly what struck me was the traffic. And the silence that goes with it. Somehow, in Spain cars manage to navigate roads without constant honking and riding up mere millimeters to each other. Somehow, vehicles and pedestrians manage to co-exists harmoniously. One way or another, cars, trucks, motorbikes, bicycles all manage to be wrangle the same roads in a sane and courteous manner.

Who knew it was possible!? Sigh.

Joyful

For the first time in weeks I have actually woken up without pus in my mouth! Yey! And thank god for small things. This means that the infection has FINALLY cleared!!

Thank you for all you well-wishers and morbidly curious.

So now, I'm just working on re-growing my bottom lip. I hope to have one by the end of the month :-)

Love to all.

Experience Barcelona through Ameet's eyes

Ameet is a talented photographer, and though I missed going out into the city with him, at least we can see things from his point of view.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoluvr/sets/72157594462159420/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoluvr/sets/72157594459306028/

I don't think the city ever looked so beautiful.

I'm not the only one

Rules leave superbug unreported
A drug-resistant disease that struck Toronto teen is already an epidemic in the U.S.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/169210

~~~
Luckily mine seems to be reacting to antibiotics - even if painfully slow. After 5 days of IV antibiotics and 7 days of oral antibiotics, there is still sign of infection. Sigh.

Supremum Fatum

When 2006 began I was told to expect a crappy year. In the Chinese zodiac, Dragons do not mesh well with Dogs and 2006 belonged to the dogs. At first I didn't believe. My mistake.

The first 6 months lulled me into a false sense of confidence. The time in Hong Kong and Macau with Ameet, the visit to Kerala with AIF, the trip to Rajasthan with James and Adi, all made me think it would be a stellar year; and who can forget the kick-ass job that was thrown my way (for the record the work is the only thing that is keeping me here - I am truly enjoying my job like no other I've had before), but the last 6 months sucked.

Illnesses, both physical and mental, took their toll on me. Though professionally I was thriving, personally I was devolving. Hence the escape to Spain.

It sounded perfect. A little Mediterranean get-away with good friends. Nice weather, great food and wonderful company in order to revitalize the spirit. The Fates had other plans.

I landed in Barcelona on Saturday the 23, Anthony and I meet at the airport (him flying in from London) and head into the city to stroll for a couple of hours before we catch the over night train to Sevilla. All seemed well. We had actually managed the last two seats on ANY train heading to Sevilla and they happen to be in the first class compartment - so no complaints.

The ride was great. Anthony and I enjoyed the free food and wine on board. We caught-up, relaxed, enjoyed the trip. The next morning I woke up with a swollen lip. Nothing major to me, my allergies have always given me hives which cause random parts of my body to swell. So I just doubled up on my anti-histamines and paid it no mind.

But, by the afternoon it had not gone down, and it seemed to be getting worse.

On Christmas day, my lip is 3 times its normal size and it hurts. Something is not right. Anthony and I exchange some presents, and decide I should go to the emergency room.

Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Macarena was OK. You would be surprised how many people are in ERs on Christmas day, granted all of them geriatric, skanky, or both, but still. So the ever patient and supportive Anthony suffered through me in the ER navigating a decent place to sit while avoiding the riff-raff. And did you know that the only place to eat that is open on Christmas is the kebab place run by the Moroccans.



So, 5 hours, 3 shots, 2 IV, and a handful of prescription drugs later we leave the emergency room with a diagnosis of allergy induced edema.

Anthony and I make the most of the rest of our time in Seville and do a bit of touring (I'll post his pictures in the coming days).

But it wasn't allergies. The next day my lip is worse. By the 27th I can't stand the pain. But I'm back in Barcelona, Anthony is back in London, and Ameet is not due to arrive for another day. Back to the ER for me, this time alone. For the record, emergency rooms are really no fun alone, especially in a foreign country, even if you speak the language.

What's interesting about Barcelona is that people's first language is Catalan NOT Castilian (what most people refer to as Spanish). Catalan has been described by some as a "non-language comprised of the leftover garbage of french, Castilian, and Portuguese". For a native Spanish speaker it sounds like someone is killing your mother tongue with a rusty butter knife.

Speaking to the doctors was tiring. I was in pain, scared, overwhelmed and they insisted on talking to my in fast-paced Catalan, it was so annoying having to remind them that I don't speak the language. But after 6 hours, 2 shots, and an IV my lip is still swollen and painful. I get sent home with the diagnosis of an infection and a prescription for antibiotics. Joyful.

The next day, I go pick up Ameet at the airport, and catch-up him up on the medical drama that has become my vacation. Understandably he does freak out a bit. Not only am I hideously deformed, but as the Spanish speaker of the group my ability to play translator is being hampered. Sigh. Between my pain, and Ameet's jet lag we can't do more than walk a bit a get a quick bite, so we call it an early night. Little did I know that was my last day of vacation.

By Friday the 29, my lip is turning black, hanging down to my chin, and I want to cry in pain. Back to the ER.

7 hours, 4 swabs, 2 biopsies later I'm in emergency surgery. The doctor stating "if you want to save your lip, we cannot let you walk out of this hospital," thanks to the necrosis on my lip. Good times. So they cut my lip open, drain out the pus, scrape out the gunk, put me on IVs and admit me. Anthony flew back from London and came straight to the hospital. Both Ameet and Anthony refusing to leave my side unless I forcibly kicked them out.

And that is how I spent new years. In a hospital bed in Barcelona with two of the best friends anyone could ask for.

Anthony and Ameet went above and beyond the call of duty. I must say that this experience was pretty traumatic. And I don't know how I would have pulled through if it wasn't for them being there with me. My dad was sweet enough to offer to fly to Spain to be with me, that really touched me, but then he went and got on a motorcycle accident! One of the hardest parts was the doctors did not know when I would be discharged. I was scheduled to leave Spain back for India on the 3rd, and they couldn't tell me if I would be able to make the flight or not. It's funny how the not knowing is always the hardest part.

Thankfully on the day before I was supposed to leave when I was the doctor my status because I was supposed to re-book my ticket. They said that they could let me go, but that I would have to continue antibiotic treatment for another week as well as home wound cleaning. Fair enough I said. As long as I didn't have to eat anymore nasty hospital food. I swear the food made me sicker than the actual bacteria. I was forced to eat soft non-chewable foods, which mostly resembled essence of the ghost of whatever it was meant to be (I think it was chicken a couple of times).

So that was my holiday saga, but we did make the best of a crappy situation. In the end it truly was about the company and not the location. What better way to start the new year than with loving friends by your side.

So decidedly, it wasn't the best holiday, but it was definitely memorable. Destiny ordained it so, and I couldn't not have asked for better company through the ordeal. The funny thing is that it does seem to fit in with the year that I had. Sigh.

Here is to a bright and hopeful 2007!

Official diagnosis: Cellulitis of the inferior lip caused by S. aureus.
As much fun as you are allowed to have in a hospital:
The tubing (I swear I needed a plumber at times):
Attempting to look cute:
My "this isn't cute" moment:

The gory details:My Lip on the last day at the hospital:


My Lip on the day I got discharged:


My Lip Today:~~~~~~
Photo credits go to Anthony - THANKS for the photographic evidence.

To come the tourist pictures - Since I was indisposed for most of the time, I will have to enjoy the trip vicariously through the lenses of Ameet and Anthony.

Further examples...

...of why India has a long way to go in overcoming its status as a developing country:

Why the f&*k can't I have my ticket!?
The ever so lovely Chris and Dave are sponsoring a ticket for me to join them in Capetown for Chris' birthday in March. Chris buys a ticket online on South African Airways, they don't do e-tickets but they have the option to allow someone to sponsor a ticket for another and the recipient to pick-up from wherever they are. Simple really, just submit some paperwork they send and you are on your merry way.

Unless that is you happen to live in India.

The SAA office in India does not follow the corporate rules of the company. "What do I need to get my ticket?" Let me call my accounts person...sorry he's at lunch. "All of SAA in India only has one person working in the accounting department?" No, but he is the only one that can answer the question. "Can I speak to your supervisor?" He's at lunch. "Of course he is!" Well sir, it's lunch time. "It's 2:30 in the afternoon, and don't you think that your customers are most likely to access your services during THEIR lunch time, so your staff should be available!?" If you would like to wait for some time, they will be back later.

While the paperwork they gave us is valid for EVERY other country SAA operates in it is not good enough for SAA (their words not mine). "But what if the sponsor lives in another country?" Well then you can just pay for the ticket yourself (their words not mine).

Urgh!! Countless calls to India, Washington, Johana-fuckings-burg later we discover that the system shows that the ticket had been awarded even though they wouldn't give it to me so they wont release it to Chris either. Bloody Hell!!

So, some screaming, some yelling, and some threats later the previous ticket is cancelled, a new one issued in the US and C&D have to FedEx it to me. All because India has created EXTRA bureaucratic steps without rhyme or reason. Sigh.

What am I willing to put up with for a better exchange rate?
Tonight I leave for Spain (on Austrian Air btw-I've never flown them before let's see how it goes) I always like to land in a new country with some of the local currency in hand. Exchanging outside of India is out (Rupees are a restricted currency and its almost impossible to exchange them outside of India - and I have run out of US dollars). I know I can withdraw from ATMs once I reach, but still its a security thing "better safe than sorry" you know.

My Bank, which I hate, is India's largest private bank with outlets all over the country, and now the UK and Canada. One of the main reasons I hate them is because they make every little step a pain in the ass (someday I should tell you about the drama I went through when I lost my ATM card and needed a new one). For example, "Why am I getting charged for making a deposit?" because you made the deposit in Mumbai and your account is from Kolkata. "But it's the same bank, own by one person, its not individual franchises" yes but you opened the account in Kolkata so all transactions have to occur from there. "So transfer my account to Mumbai" We can't do that you would have to close that account and open a new one. Sigh.

One of the services this bank offers is foreign exchange and slightly better rates than other forex. "I would like 100 euros please" you need to fill out this form, and submit a copy of your passport, and your plane ticket. "I just want to exchange some money is all" yes you have to submit an application, it will take a day or two. "But I leave tomorrow" let me call to see if we can get it by tomorrow. "What do you mean get it by tomorrow, you don't have the money here?" No we are not allowed. "Then why say you offer forex if you don't have the money here!?"Because we do, it just takes some time. "And why do you need my passport and ticket?" Because we are not allow to exchange for people who are not travelling. "Why not?" that is the rule, besides what would an India do with the money if they are not travelling (their words not mine). Sigh.

~~~~~

I'm just tired. Spain here I come!!

Happy holidays to all.

Very Merry New YEAR!!!

Comic Strips

For those of you who knew me as an adolescent, first of all I would like to apologize for that. My pupa phase was not the prettiest of things, but at least it resulted in the beautiful, flighty, fickle, unstable, charming butterfly I am today.

Secondly, you may recall what a ginormous comic book geek I was/am. Thanks to technological advances I can still keep track of my favorite mutants without having the embarrassment of being a 30 year buying comics (though sometimes I say their are for my nephew "He likes these things you know and I like to encourage reading"). But my comic habits manifest in starting each day with reading a select list of comic strips (online of course) once in while there comes one that really strikes me, calls out to me.

These are three that I had saved but couldn't be bothered to post until now.

I love people trying to surprise me, but can't stand the waiting for the surprise. From a kid to adulthood, I would always try to figure out what presents or whatever we were doing. One Christmas I even ruined a great gift from Ricky who tried ever so hard to keep it a secret. But in the end I think I learned to try to act surprise (I was still curious and would figure out what was going on - I just would try not to let the concerned party I knew :-) Surprise-on-demand). But this one really called out to me, because I think people expect me to be more conceited than I really am. And though I have my moments of W.H.A. when someones says I'm cute or something, for the most part my blushes are genuine :-)


I'm not entirely convinced society has progressed for the better. All The toys and entertainment mediums kids have take out all the fun, creativity, joy, and physical exertion of playing. What's the fucking point of that. Now we can't live without our iPods and Cell phones and our children are fat mindless drones. Yip


This one just made me laugh out loud :-D

Vacation

In order to not go over the edge and keep the tenuous grasp on my sanity I currently have, I decided that I needed a holiday during the holidays.

Luckily I'm joining two dear friends who have had an equally rough year. So, it's going to be more like group therapy than anything else.

Thanks to the marvel of frequent flyer miles and the miracle of credit cards, I will be able to spend twelve days in Spain (Christmas in Sevilla and New Years in Barcelona). I hear that sangria, flamenco, and paella do wonders for the soul.

We shall see.

World AIDS Day

UNAIDS Global summary of the AIDS epidemic (December 2006)

Number of people living with HIV in 2006

Total: 39.5 million (34.1–47.1 million)

Adults: 37.2 million (32.1–44.5 million)

Women: 17.7 million (15.1–20.9 million)

Children under 15 years: 2.3 million (1.7–3.5 million)

People newly infected with HIV in 2006

Total 4.3 million (3.6–6.6 million)

Adults 3.8 million (3.2–5.7 million)

Children under 15 years 530 000 (410 000–660 000)

AIDS deaths in 2006 Total 2.9 million (2.5–3.5 million)

Adults 2.6 million (2.2–3.0 million)

Children under 15 years 380 000 (290 000–500 000)

The ranges around the estimates define the boundaries within which the actual numbers lie, based on the best available information.