Hip Resurfacing In India

Out on the Town

OK - so I start off walking out of the hotel "compound" and am able to cross the street by sticking a few inches from a guy that is also crossing. Otherwise I'd never been able to. Within a few blocks I learned a couple of things. First, impossible to move here without sweating. Good thing I brought a bandana with me as I was dripping sweat walking in the hot sun within 2 blocks. Second, it is (nearly) impossible for a white guy like me to walk in Chennai. I immediately spotted by the rickshaw drivers and began getting hit on. Finally when one of the guys followed me for half a block and I could finally could understand him, I bit: "I will take you all day all around Chennai for 20 rupees." Hmmm, 44 = $1, so that's about 45 cents. OK I bit. What a ride. I wanted to see the town and I saw the town. He returned me to the hotel at my request by noon. I'd seen, experienced, and spent enough. The streets were very dirty, and my eyes and throat could feel it. And the aromas, well, they were pretty odiferous. Pretty much ran the gambit on smells, but no matter what the smell was, it was strong. He did take me to the Basilica of St. Thomas which was nice. Got to say a couple of Hail Mary's and Our Father's before my surgery. That was nice. Got to see the tomb complete with relics. And then he drove me by the beach, and to the Fort Museum. Didn't have any rupees so I couldn't get in. No problem. He then took me to the Fort Museum Gift shop, and man they had some nice stuff. I definitely wanted to bring back some trinkets, so it was good. But I didn't expect to spend over $250! Oh well, it was worth it.

So now I'm back at the room, will shower and maybe work a bit, and rest. This is my last afternoon as I'll be picked up here at 11:30 tomorrow to go check into the hospital.

I'm glad I made the trip out into town, but I wouldn't do it every day. Almost forgot to mention it. The man spend half a day with me, showing me everything and catering very caringly. Instead of the 45 cents he wanted, I gave him a $20. I'm sure it made his day, but he made mine.

posted by Russell Kappius @ 11:47 PM