XXL

'Remember in my last post when I told everyone that the workout capris were not going to cut it for a meeting? As it turns out, I'm apparently a size XXL in Nepal sizes which literally translates inito: Good luck because the next size up is a set of drapes.

**Sigh**

On a happier note, I did manage to find a nice pair of sandals in my size that I was able to barter on and get for cheap. That's right: Made in the USA, but my feet have a Nepalese exchange rate. 

I'm waiting on Dr. Arjyal to get in touch with me after his meeting today and for Toby to get back with me on the whole mat issue. I can get what Toby wants, but I need to know how to get in touch with the other physician and get them loaded before he goes out on his medical mission.

Wandering

This picture is of a small worship temple near a monastary in Patan, Nepal. It's very beautiful structure still remains intact after both earthquakes earlier this Spring.

I did some wandering today, although I still need to stop by the pharmacy here before I head to Gorkha District whenever that happens. I did get some laundry done, which was quite satisfying since it seems I've sweated through every ounce of clothing I brought. Okay, that's an exageration, but it is very HOT and I'm definitely looking forward to July 4th weekend with friends back home by some water. Lots of water. And not the flood water that is apparently becoming a constant nuissance back home.

I made it through many of the downtown shopping areas in Patan, which was really like playing some type of "Ultimate Frogger" every time I attempted to cross the street. I'm starting to adjust to my surroundings and to the flow of traffic a bit, but seeing its disorganization and chaos makes me cringe. I mean, really, must we honk the horn so often to indicate that you are driving through? Some people would like to leave Nepal without hearing loss or wetting themselves because some bus decided to abruptly turn and blare the horn. I will say that even as chaotic as it all looks, there must be some sense of order that native drivers here are all taught because I have seen no car accidents. Zero. I'm really not sure how that's even possible beccause I can only describe the scene as some type of cross between bumper cars and a kamikazee pilot with road rage.

I was actually pretty proud of myself because I used the map that Serita gave me when I went out. I was able to recognize enough places (I've only been out twice and it's quite crowded with shops here) that I even made it over to the hospital before I came back to Sanu's House (see the pictures below). Keep in mind, the two earquakes happened roughly 2.5 months ago and I am still seeing Red Cross tents all over the place from China to Germany to Japan. I was also told by Bernie (paramedic from England) that the Swiss and the Russians did an incredible initial response and helped to get things stabilized.

Heading Back

I really only stopped a couple of times to ask and make sure that I was headed the right way--and I was, so that was comforting. In all honesty, from the moment I left the hospital to return I was watching the looming clouds overhead and noticed a breeze developinig. I was sure the rain was going to start pouring full force since monsoon season in this area is just beginning. Luckily, I made it without getting caught in the rain.

Field  hospital tents set up outside Patan Hospital. There is a nurse standing on the right side of the picture and those other vehicles are for patient transport. 

Pictured above is a Unicef field hospital tent setup outside Patan Hospital. There was a line waiting to enter the tan tent on the left side and all of the tents appeared to be pretty full of patients.