Today, the 14th is the infamous day of presentations. Each group will present their projects in depth to not only the class but to those who have helped us along the way. The presentations begin at 9:30 and I am up first. Following the presentations we will be having lunch and will then go back to the hotel to finish packing and do last minute shopping. Dinner tonight will be served at the Plaza Hotel for the group as a whole. I have traveled a great distance, learned more than I could have ever imagined and have grown a considerable amount. I am growing sad considering it is the last day I will have in Madurai. The depth my life now has after this experience is unexplainable.
Eight presentations were given, including mine, and each was unique in its own way. I was very pleased with the outcome of all the presentations and am glad to have educated others on mine as well. The second presentation, following mine, was by Syria and Celeste. Their presentation was over hand washing and how the creation of their poster/presentation came about. The stunning poster was amazingly put together and was pictorially perfect. The third presentation by Liz Newbury concerned cervical cancer, a bottom up, bottom down or meet in the middle approach. The information she shared with us was very interesting and very applicable to what I learned in my research on cervical cancer. Male domination and competing priorities were two of the main reasons women do not get screened none the less know about cervical cancer. Andrea and Shruthi presented family planning and contraceptive use and from this I gained a better understanding of the Indian culture. Erin and Chelsey shared information on Malaria and chickengunia. The facts concerning both and the information they collected from numerous people was incredible and the knowledge of adolescents in Tamil Nadu was displayed very well. People do not think in terms of “important diseases” rather symptoms that affect them. The sixth presentation from Jamila concerned Polio eradication in both India and Nigeria. Finally the last presentation from Page and Megan was on Diarrheal diseases of infants and leprosy. I loved their enthusiasm and the interest each took in the project. Overall I am very impressed with the projects that have formulated after the trip to India and have an appreciation for the researchers in the field today.
The presentations were followed by an amazing lunch and of course tea and cookies. I am happy to say that the staff who served us through out our stay in Madurai was remarkable in every way. It would not have been the same with out them. The food was made for our taste buds and mostly bland for us “Americans”. Those who were Indian and eating with us disliked the bland texture of the food which was easy to understand. I will miss the rice, Nan and soup. The rest of the food is not for me or my stomach! I am pleased with every person and every part of the Madurai Mission Hospital and I could not have asked for a more extraordinary experience.
Upon returning to the hotel after our lunch we all ran for our last afternoon out on the town shopping. The time allotted for shopping was around four hours considering we were eating dinner at 7:30 and do not worry we used our time wisely. I am perplexed knowing that the street will be the same after we leave the cows, the crazy movements, and the mass of people as well as the beggars. I know that I can not help every person but I will try my best to have a positive impact on every person I meet. The last hours shopping were oblivious to me. I was not concerned with what I was buying or buying in general, I was more or less saying my goodbyes to all that I have found comforting. The kindness outpouring from each person I met was something I was not ready to give up quite yet. I will miss the gentle questions of curiosity and the helpfulness offered. Out of all that I have seen and all that I have chosen to bring back with me only one specific thing stands out, the perfectly set community cohesion. I will always remember the roads in which I have traveled and hope to return to India.
Dinner was not only amazingly tasty but it was quite entertaining. I chose fish with vegetables for my final dish in India and as always with a bottle of Kingfisher. The company of my classmates and mentors through out the trip was more than welcome. I would love to be in that exact moment right now. Reflecting on dinner and the warmth each person expressed, I will always remember in the end we are all one. Dinner was followed by Henna Tattoos done via Megan and Shruthi. Of course each had previous experience doing tattoos ;). Dinner ended with a banana split consumed willingly by us. I was already packed and ready to go before dinner so I was up for anything. The mountain ecosystem group arrived in Madurai in mid afternoon in order to drive back to Chennai with us. We did not have much time to talk and share stories with the group so I was happy to have time to do such after dinner. Their experiences were quite different from ours but very entertaining. It was amazing being able to relate to them on some instances but also amazing to teach each other ideas/culture learned. One important point I took away was the fact that they seemed to have a “real” adventurous trip. They ate the food of India with no hesitation, slept on the ground and hiked into the unknown. I do not think I would have been as brave as each seemed to show but I know it would have been a great story to tell. I made friends in a few short hours and am pleased to have met such wonderfully unique people. Sharing my experience and listening to others was comforting and fulfilling. I hope to stay in touch with those I have grown close to in such extreme conditions. I will always remember those who have touched my heart in more than one way. The night before our bus trip to Chennai was deemed as one with open ended questions, stories as well as no sleep. We left at 4 a.m. and I was ready to sleep the instant I slipped into my seat. Only I will know the dreams I dreamt and the thoughts I thought along this incredulous eleven hour drive.
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