When compiling this list some of the things that came to mind were actually quite surprising, in this case number seven might even bewilder some of you.
Health Care
It shouldn't be a shock considering some of the best doctors we have in North America are of Indian decent. I'll admit it was overwhelming to me the first time I went to the doctor here in my Holy town; the line ups, lack of scheduled appointments, crowd of other patients in the examination room, others attempting to peek in past the curtain awaiting their turn, it seemed like chaos as I waited for them to call my number, on the verge of tears I was ready to run back to Canada.Then I met the doctor, I was there because I was pregnant and had been suffering with loose motion for four days. She was quick to assess, checking only my eyes and tongue then writing her prescription. There were five items, I was kinda pissed, worse then my Canadian doctor who thinks antibiotics is a cure for hunger!
I refused to allow my husband to purchase any of the medicines until I did some research online. Turned out she had only prescribed one "medicine" similar to a pepto bismal, other four were an Iron, B12, Folic Acid combination for my pregnancy, as well as a protein powder supplement, we are vegetarians and this would be a normal suggestion among most medical professionals. Electrolytes to keep me from dehydrating and acidophilus which was to help the good bacteria in my system. Having relied heavily on naturopaths in Canada I was thrilled to meet a Medical Doctor who apparently understood healing with nutrition! Because of my experience I chose to have her deliver my second child in India and she delivered via c-section in less than 20 minutes.
While my encounters with Indian doctors have been positive I have butted heads. One of my first trips to India left me feeling quite ill after a few weeks of being here. For two weeks I battled loose motion then developed a cough and cold. I was doing an Ayurvedic course and after two weeks of being ill, but still in great spirits I might add, the doctor looked me in the eye and said "it's all in your head." How dare he, I cried in my room. I was doing everything I was told, eating the right foods, resting during the prescribed time, enduring the treatments, I didn't know why I wasn't getting better but I sure as hell knew it wasn't in my head!
Years later and living in this culture I get it. The doctors and my husband have taught me about honoring my body but not agonizing in it. Nobody believes that laying around feeling sorry, telling yourself over and over again how sick you are is going to help you feel better. You need to focus your mind on feeling good, I don't always succeed at this but I'm getting better. They believe the best medicine is sunshine, it's key to a healthy body, along with fresh home cooked foods and lots of warm water. That topped with what my Mom always taught me; let a fever run its course, do not to push yourself especially when your sick, don't feel guilty if you don't "get it all done today" and always find time for naps :)
I've always said finding a balance between east and west would make for a perfect life, and this is what I've been striving for since my move to India and while my health is still not where I'd like it to be, it is heading in the right direction!
More to come in this series, and I'd love to hear from you what you love about the place you live?
2 comments:
Very interesting...
Always an interesting read
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