Today is day 4 for me and day 5 for Rebekah as we are desperately trying to get rest and regain our health!
Rachel had told us of the "Kolkata cough" that happens each winter (especially in January). The change in weather (although very mild compared to what we are used to) often causes the air to become more stagnant. Thus pollution, in the heart of the city, is even worse than normal. And the colds and coughs begin what seems to be their never ending cycles!
In addition to the "cough," I have been reminded that every Westerner gets sick while here (locals say this, as well as friends of mine who've traveled abroad). I guess I had hoped that somehow Rebekah and I would beat the odds--but alas, we also have fallen prey to this phenomenon.
Rebekah is my "barometer." As most of you know, she is a high-energy sort of gal who thrives on going, going, going. So to hear her say that all she wants to do is stay in the hotel room, I know that she's not well!
Our friends left us some antibiotics for stomach issues, so I hope to see they are helping Rebekah by the end of today. I broke down and went to the pharmacy yesterday for an antibiotic for a chest cold. I was very grateful for Rachel's assistance because the language barrier could've proven to be quite difficult to overcome. Once again, I was shocked at the difference between North America and here. I paid 62 rupees ($1) for the fast acting Z-Pack and about that much for an expectorant cough syrup! Go ahead and shake your heads, we all know what that would've cost back home!
(As a a side note to all of my food group friends, the antibiotics are out of a last ditch effort and we will be going through some detox and amp up our probiotics upon our return!)
As some of you know, I was allowed to create a directed study for my master's degree based on our journey to Kolkata (preparation, immersion, and returning home). The specific question I am addressing and will continue to address is, "How do I experience and encourage true empathy when I feel the conditions of the culture around me are cruel to those who live here?"
As I have only scratched the surface of life here in Kolkata (acknowledging that I live a very privileged life due to the resources available to me), I continue to use an inspirational question to address the heart of my study and experiences. "What if I look through a prism?" A prism refracts light. If you use a prism to look at your surroundings, sometimes it takes a lot of effort to see clearly. Sometimes you see things upside down. Sometimes it looks like items are doubled. Sometimes your surroundings look very far off or magnified to look very close by! More often than not, there are beautiful colors that enhance whatever perspective you are experiencing....colors that had been hidden before.
When I catch myself passing a judgment or feeling sorry for myself as I'm not feeling well, I pick up that "prism" and keep turning it to see the circumstances in a different light. Yes, I am weary--but, I am grateful for the many colors that surface!
As you face your day, what if you look through a prism?
Until next time....
Rachel had told us of the "Kolkata cough" that happens each winter (especially in January). The change in weather (although very mild compared to what we are used to) often causes the air to become more stagnant. Thus pollution, in the heart of the city, is even worse than normal. And the colds and coughs begin what seems to be their never ending cycles!
In addition to the "cough," I have been reminded that every Westerner gets sick while here (locals say this, as well as friends of mine who've traveled abroad). I guess I had hoped that somehow Rebekah and I would beat the odds--but alas, we also have fallen prey to this phenomenon.
Rebekah is my "barometer." As most of you know, she is a high-energy sort of gal who thrives on going, going, going. So to hear her say that all she wants to do is stay in the hotel room, I know that she's not well!
Our friends left us some antibiotics for stomach issues, so I hope to see they are helping Rebekah by the end of today. I broke down and went to the pharmacy yesterday for an antibiotic for a chest cold. I was very grateful for Rachel's assistance because the language barrier could've proven to be quite difficult to overcome. Once again, I was shocked at the difference between North America and here. I paid 62 rupees ($1) for the fast acting Z-Pack and about that much for an expectorant cough syrup! Go ahead and shake your heads, we all know what that would've cost back home!
(As a a side note to all of my food group friends, the antibiotics are out of a last ditch effort and we will be going through some detox and amp up our probiotics upon our return!)
As some of you know, I was allowed to create a directed study for my master's degree based on our journey to Kolkata (preparation, immersion, and returning home). The specific question I am addressing and will continue to address is, "How do I experience and encourage true empathy when I feel the conditions of the culture around me are cruel to those who live here?"
As I have only scratched the surface of life here in Kolkata (acknowledging that I live a very privileged life due to the resources available to me), I continue to use an inspirational question to address the heart of my study and experiences. "What if I look through a prism?" A prism refracts light. If you use a prism to look at your surroundings, sometimes it takes a lot of effort to see clearly. Sometimes you see things upside down. Sometimes it looks like items are doubled. Sometimes your surroundings look very far off or magnified to look very close by! More often than not, there are beautiful colors that enhance whatever perspective you are experiencing....colors that had been hidden before.
When I catch myself passing a judgment or feeling sorry for myself as I'm not feeling well, I pick up that "prism" and keep turning it to see the circumstances in a different light. Yes, I am weary--but, I am grateful for the many colors that surface!
As you face your day, what if you look through a prism?
Until next time....
No comments:
Post a Comment