Beginning

I left Nashville at around noon on Wednesday and arrived in Mungeli Friday at 11 am, or around midnight Nashville time. Travelling was exhausting; Newark airport was especially confusing. It was slightly nervewracking to come into Delhi and have a military man with an extremely large gun check my pasport. I was picked up in Raipur by the hospital's driver (he also drives the bus to school etc.). It was easily the most terrifying car ride I've ever been on. The road was bumpy and they don't have traffic laws like we do in the US. No stop signs or lights. People honk all the time (it's the first thing I hear in the distance in the morning after the roosters crow) and cows and monkeys roam the streets at their leisure. They are lots of bikes and scooters here.
I ate breakfast at Anil's house when I arrived and his mother (who was in town for a couple days) showed me around and found a key for my room. I share an apartment with Tanya and her significant other Habib, from Denmark. They are older than I and are medstudents. They're very good at what they do, and have made the transition to Mungeli life easier for me.
Saturday I woke up at 7 for chapel and at 8 I went to the school to observe. It's a small school, but the children are very sweet and so are the teachers. They presented me with a garland of fresh flowers upon my arrival!
After leaving school I went to O.T. which is where the surgeries are performed. This is where Tanya and Habib spend most of their time every day. I watched a little, but it was difficult to watch and I'm not good at seeing things like that. I'm interested to learn more about this aspect of the hospital.
Yesterday, we went to the market in Mungeli. It's a fairly long walk, especially in the hot sun. We bought lots of vegetables which our cook, named Kavita, will use to cook for us. It's nice to eat traditional Indian meals. Tanya and I looked at saris, but all the fabrics are so beautiful I don't know if I could ever choose one! We're going to go back with Teresa, Anil's wife, because she knows where the tailor is and where to get the best deals. I need to go soon because I didn't bring many clothes along with me.
The town had beautiful architecture, but was mostly fallen into disrepair. You can pretty much buy anything you need here. All the people, especially children, like to approach us foreigners and always wave when we walk by or introduce themselves. They ask questions about where we're from and how we like Mungeli.
Our apartment is nice except for all the bugs. I've had a couple of lizards living behind the tank for my toilet for almost 2 days now. I guess they're eating the bugs so I don't mind them. There's no AC but we have lots of fans and it stays pretty cool inside during the day.
Today I taught at school again and delivered school supplies which they really appreciated. And Anil was so greatful for the sutures I brought. I'm getting a hang of things there, and the 6th class taught me how to count to ten in hindi today. I'm trying to teach them some grammar and how to carry out conversations in English. They know the basics but not how to apply them in a broader use. I also got to teach some six year olds in the 1st class and they're adorable! I drew pictures on the blackboard to illustrate words and had them spell them. They're all so full of questions about everything!
Overall I feel like my adjustment to life here has gone smoothly and quickly. I'm still getting a hang of the teaching thing, but I feel comfortable and happy mostly (though I still miss home, my family and friends often, especially at night when I'm not really busy).
Need to go now, but will write asap.
Mom, Anil says don't send sutures over mail because they won't reach them here.
Love, Lauryn