Again our plans for today have already been shifted. I was thinking we would present to the Mahasemam women today but after further review we are not going to present at all. The confusion and surprises of the day began at 8:30 a.m. and I know that more are to come. I have been very flexible from day to day but I do miss the structure of America. Plans for the day consist of working at the hospital, eating lunch at the hospital and then returning to the hotel to work on our presentations. We will be having a group dinner tonight with not only our group but our translators, Rose Mary and Uma. I am very excited for the final dinner but am antsy for our PowerPoint to be completed. We will be presenting our presentation first on Thursday and the original plan was to return to Chennai in the afternoon. This of course has been shifted once again. The trip has been full of surprises and I am not one to get anxious anymore.
The departure to Chennai is now moved to 4 a.m. on Friday the 15th. We do not know why but this is what we were told tonight. Many are confused and worried considering our plane leaves @ 8 Friday night and it is an 11 hour bus ride. What if something happens and we miss our flight or what if nothing happens? I have been keeping an optimistic attitude in order to achieve a peaceful mind. I know that it will all turn out in the end but I am just not sure how. I can not engulf the smog anymore, though. My lungs have had enough exhaust and pollution for one lifetime. I am sure the plans for Chennai will be yet again changed but that is all in the game of life.
Today we were able to leave the hospital after lunch in order to have a break, do last minute shopping and work on our presentations. We all planned on what gifts to get our translators, Uma etc and went on our way. We began shopping at three and returned around six. Our group dinner plans have also been canceled and are now to be held on Thursday night. Do not ask me why! So for the rest of the night we are able to relax and work on our own. The weather in Madurai was spectacular today. The sun shining so bright and the warmth felt very kind on my skin. I am not looking forward to snow.
Tonight I was able to purchase some rare artifacts and am pleased with there appearance. The shopping was excellent due to the weather, the limited number of people about and the comfort of friends. I have done more shopping in the last three weeks I do not know if I will ever want to shop again! (This is a lie) The rest of the night will be spent on crafting gifts for Anne, Matt, Uma and Usa while preparing the rest of our presentation. I am anxious to see the final product as well as end on a great note in Madurai.
Tomorrow will be spent with women sex workers and their counselors. I am curious to find out where/what this will encompass. A celebration has been going on for the last 3 days and will continue due to harvest. Celebration of the harvest is officially on the 14th but families prepare for days in advance making elaborate foods etc. I am very lucky to be apart of this celebration and I am not going to picture anything before I go. I do not want to imagine something that will or will not happen, I am going in with an open mind.
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