Visit to the Hospital

Do not worry! I am fine. My particular experience was prompted by my desire to get immunized against polio and by my lack of planning in what respects the importance of getting this done while in the US.

My adventure and didactic lesson started when I got dropped off at a hospital nearby Visthar. And there I was, in middle of the crowd, without knowing the language and as confused as anyone can be. Suddenly, I was guided and almost pushed into a consultation room. In the process, I bypassed a large group of locals who had probably been in line for hours. An action that, although involuntarily, is becoming the norm for the SJPD group because of our skin color and the kindness of Indians towards their guests. However, there I was, closer to my goal in getting immunized. As I sat down and intended to communicate with the doctor, an assistant of his emerged from somewhere to force a thermometer in my mouth and take my pulse. After partially recovering from my surprise and realizing that I was still expected to convey my thoughts under such circumstances, I did so. I was astonished, once again, when the doctor immediately acceded to my petition. No warnings, no explanations, no questions. In fact, I am lying; there was a question. The doctor asked me if I knew how many drops (it’s an oral dose) I needed. What? Isn’t he the doctor? After calling a friend of his, as if we were on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and he has using his “call-a-friend” lifeline, his final answer was, “option b) 2 drops”.  I sure hope this friend of his was a doctor. Please. With a certain disbelief (Did this really just happen?), and after paying 100 rupees (equivalent of $2) I started walking back home.

At first this walk was pleasant, but it soon turned into another adventure, as it got dark and I had never done this walk before. All I could hear was the music played by the vicinity Hindu temple and all I could see were rapidly approaching headlights. Not exactly the best landmarks. Just to make things more interesting, even though the road was at least 10 feet wide, it seemed that my friends the motorcycle drivers competed to see who could frighten me the most by passing just a few inches away. I can assure you under such circumstances this walk seemed much longer than I remembered it. Furthermore, when I was the most convinced I was lost and was never going to make it back, four cows appeared all of a sudden on my radar to encourage me and reassure me I was still in India.

I finally made it back, and apart from forgetting about my insecurities about the polio immunization, this experience definitely helped me built courage to continue exploring Bangalore.