38 hours later...

After 38 hours of flying and driving I have safely arrived in Vellore, India. However, my luggage did not make it. Despite my mother's admonition of such circumstances, I failed to pack any extra clothes or toiletries in my carry on. This is one of many painful lessons I have learned from the wisdom of my mother. Otherwise, I am doing well. My luggage should arrrive tomorrow if all goes according to plan.

The flight from Houston to Dubai was long ~15 hours in duration. Thankfully I was plenty entertained by the 600+ channels offered by Emirates Airlines. Rachel and I were tired when we arrived in Chennai. Unfortunately, we had to wait another 10 hours for others from our group to arrive. I slept on the marble ground while Rachel sat in a chair next to me watching our stuff and occasionally flicking mosquitos off of my sleeping body. After three hours, I woke up semi-refreshed and ready for our next adventure.

Chennai is about 2.5 hours from our final and current destination--Vellore. Our journey by taxi from Chennai was in a word...terrifying. I think we must have nearly avoided almost 4 potentially fatal crashes as well as almost killed multiple pedestrians and families riding motorcycles. Apparently, the traffic according to the locals is unregulated, and people drive as they please whether that means going the wrong way against oncoming traffic or pushing others out of the way. Not only do we need to avoid other cars and trucks but also cows which are either grazing or relieving themselves on the roads. However, our driver seemed unamused and unimpressed by the driving hazards so I felt some confidence that he had driven in these conditions before.

My friends and I are staying on the campus of the Christian Medical College. It is a safe haven from the bustling city of Vellore. We are surrounded by trees and lovely gardens. I share a room with Scott my current roommate from the states which gives me some comfort of home. Our room is great and better than expected. We have a screened-in porch!! Unfortunately, the ladies in our group were not so lucky and live in a room infested by cockroaches (which they have affectionately named Jerry, Larry and Tom). Our room is sans insects for now...

We start our rotations tomorrow. I am "posted" for Neurology, Community Health, Leprosy Clinic and Infectious disease. I will write more later. Next time I write you I hope my luggage will have arrived and that I will be wearing something other than what I have had on for the last 3 days.

till next time... cheers!