The Strike

(2100 Monday April 12) - this is Ellen's blog today!!

We took our time this morning, considering the Maoists were on strike and all. Well, Melissa and I did. I’m pretty sure Amanda and Pete were up at 5, Sue was visiting every hospital in Kathmandu setting up international opportunities, and Jason was on a half century plus ride around the Kathmandu valley. We were originally supposed to be picked up in an ambulance because no taxis would be running due to the strike. But, then we were told not to come because the Maoists would most likely not let us pass, not being sick in the ambulance and all. Oddly enough the strike only lasted an hour; however, we did not know this for approximately 4 hours, making the strike last about 5 hours for us...

Sue had visited Helping Hands in the morning and determined we could come in the afternoon, since patients might show up. So, after spending the morning working on the lectures and adding photos to the internet we set off for Helping Hands. Melissa stuck to the ultrasound, Sue was in the ED, Amanda and I rounded on the floors while Pete was our national geographic photographer. It was pretty interesting as our day consisted of (in Nepali terms) TB, Enteric Fever, Parotiditis, COPD, a bezoar, pneumonia, broken bones, wounds, dehydration, Alcoholic liver disease, encephalopathy, cardiac valve lesions, obstetrics, etc. Sue broke out the new EKG machine we are taking to Wana only to find it missing a few pieces. Thankfully she set it up here so we could get parts before we got out to Wana. Amanda set up to work with Dr. Gupta in his private clinic one day this week and we are both trying to figure out how to get into the hospital where we can catch 40 babies in one day…

After finishing work at the hospital we headed out to meet up with Jason at Boudhanath and catch the classic sunset view of the Stupa. A few of us checked out the Tibetan Medical Center in the area only to find an office with herbal medicines in huge jars. It is apparently big in Pulse diagnosis, but we must have just missed the doctors because it was closing and we didn’t get that much information.

The Stupa was beautiful, especially with the sunset and people in traditional Buddhist garb. We however did not see the candles Amanda really wanted to see as for some reason they were not lit, and we did not fit in as we were dressed in traditional hospital garb (scrubs). As we were taking pictures of others and their dress, I’m pretty sure we were being photographed just the same. Pete hung out on photographer’s row, getting the “money shots” of the stupa. Buddha Stupa was by far my favorite, as the top was completely golden with the sunset. In the surrounding plaza, filled with shops and roof top restaurants, everyone walks clockwise. We thought it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if we just walked quickly to a restaurant counterclockwise, but you definitely feel like you are doing something wrong… At different areas in the central plaza, behind the prayer wheels, people were doing rites towards the stupa. In fact, I’m pretty sure one couple did the rites the entire time we were touring and eating, which must put them in fantastic shape since this consists of a version of sun salutation with each one.

Sue and Jason went to a lecture on Everest this evening resulting in us calling the rest of the trip off and heading to Everest base camp ASAP. Umm, I wish. Meanwhile, we went and ate some food overlooking the Stupa. However, we were underwhelmed and had to grab some desert at a bakery in Thamel. We went to the one where most of the staff is hearing/speech impaired and they encourage sign language. This was before we knew that Pete spoke sign language… which he does…as so does Melissa. Who knew? I’m pretty sure the staff enjoyed chatting it up though, and we will probably have to go back as the cakes were pretty delicious.

But now, I should probably finish my lecture…since there is no pressure in doing an international conference for 100 physicians in 3 days…

Ellen