Cardiology Conference

Today I am attending a conference on Cardiovascular Sciences. Since I am interested in Cardiology I have had the great fortune of hearing from some preeminent researchers including one Nobel Laureate--Peter Agre. Apparently, the Christian Medical College is one of the finest medical institutions in India and has been host to many excellent symposiums.

Overall, I have been very impressed with the physicians I have witnessed. They are very well read in their fields and enjoy teaching. Unfortunately for them, they are also very busy--seeing many more patients in a day then I believe average physicians at home see. According to one of my attendings, their busy schedules prohibits their ability to indulge in research interests. Publications are rare amongst the attendings.

Not only have the talks been excellent but the entertainment has been good as well. Last night, we were entertained by a group of traditional dancers called "Saptaswaranjali." They performed with an orchestra of traditional instruments. It was fantastic. The dancers wore bells around their ankles and choreographed their dances and the clanging of their bells to accentuate the rhythm of the drums. It was very interesting--unlike anything I had seen before. Tonight we have a concert by the apparently famous Indian performer-- David Pascall.

I feel like I am settling into life here in Vellore. Already, I have developed some daily habits. I eat egg and cheese sandwiches every morning around 7am. I ride a bus twice a day to and from the hospital often seeing the same people onboard each morning. I eat chicken Masal with a coke most days for lunch at a nearby chinatown restaurant. I return home in the afternoons to relax with my roommate and fellow students before dinner. I am usually in bed around 9pm. This weekend my fellow students from the states and I plan to tour Vellore and eat some of its cuisine. I am looking forward to getting out of the gates of the Christian Medical College.

In case you are wondering.... my appetite remains healthy and have not felt sick---knock on wood. More to come.... Adios!