HOT!!!!

I can't believe I've already been in this busy country for a week! There are times when it feels like I have been here for a month, and others where it seems like just yesterday. We are super busy, but that doesn't mean that we're not learning a lot and having fun as well.
This week was spent in morning lectures about leprosy and AIDS along with visits to Dr. Potnis' clinic in the afternoon. Doctor's offices here are wild. In the states, doctors see maybe a total of twenty patients per day, give or take. Here, in just three hours, the doctor sees and treats that many or more. I know that we slowed down Dr. Potnis because he would have to explain the symptoms the patient described to him in English for us as well provide us with an explanation of the treatment(s) he would prescribe. I can understand some of the local language, but I have no idea what is being said for the most part. I did talk with a patient the other day while we were waiting for Dr. Potnis to arrive. We exchanged names and simple pleasantries, but it was still quite a rush! I know, I know. Simple minds and all that. :D
We leave the clinic around 3:30 in the afternoons and have the rest of the evening to ourselves, which we spend exploring the city and taking in the sights. Eating the local cuisine has been a bit of a problem though. None of us has really been hungry enough to eat more than one to one and a half meals a day, it's simply too hot for that.
The University of Mumbai campus at which we are staying is a new campus. They are actually moving slowly from the old location, which is what you will see on all the maps, to this location. We are situated in Kalina, which is one of the many suburbs of Mumbai. So we're not in the city and it takes a little bit of a trek to get down there. It's mainly train, but it's quite a long ride. :D One of these days, when I have more time and remember to bring my cable, I'll put some pictures up of my adventures so you can get a feel for what's going on over here.
Yesterday, we traveled down to South Mumbai into the heart of the city. We went and walked along Marine Drive and sat there for a bit. After having never been to the ocean before and now going three days in a row, I am in love. I think once I get back to the states, I'll have to make some time for a road trip to the Pacific. It'll be nice to find water that is clean enough that I can put my toes in it. Anyone game? After Marine Drive we wanted to find the Gateway of India and set off walking. Shamefully, we got super lost and we were mainly wandering until a lady finally gave us some good directions. We all got our pictures taken with the Gateway and more.
I forgot to mention that here, staring is not considered rude and people stare at us no matter where we go. The day before yesterday we went to Juhu Beach and a lady asked Kristie if she could take a picture of her with her kids. While at the gateway, there were five different people that took pictures of us while we were walking around and those are only the ones I noticed. I'm sure that there were a lot more, but I don't have eyes all over my head.
We then went to the Taj Hotel and, boy, is it fancy!! It's so different from the India that I have seen and experienced. I just hope that the foreigners who stay there and in the surrounding areas visit other places in Mumbai to get a real feel for the country than what they are getting there because that is not the real India. Just like the resorts, etc. in Mexico do not reflect how Mexico actually is.
Tomorrow our plan is to visit Elephanta Island to explore the caves and hopefully go to the Prince of Whales Museam (that's what it used to be called, but I can't remember what it's called now).
This week we will be spending our time in a hospital and split up according to what our areas of interest are. I'm really excited!

Lydia