Journal 9-15-2010
Today I woke up around 7:45. Leah was knocking on our door to tell us that the dobi (Laundry man) was picking up our dirty clothes. I really needed to get a couple things washed so I hurried to get out of bed and give him my messy pile of clothes.
After an incredibly bland breakfast of the same thing we have every day idly, sambar, coconut chutney and chai, we were ready to get going.
Our outing today was to a Christian hospital 
At the hospital we were given a tour of what seemed to be every ward and wing occupied by the various different specialties. Much like hospitals in the United States the doctors seemed to be very knowledgeable and were committed to providing the best care possible. This particular hospital tries to keep costs low for patients by accepting lower salaries for doctors, and prescribing cheaper (but effective) drugs whenever possible. They land and buildings were also given to them by a Christian organization, so they have no rent, this also helps to keep patients costs down.
Our tour of the hospital was very interesting. We talked to dentists, surgeons, ICU doctors, and many other nurses and doctors. Unfortunately Leah was the only one with enough of a medical background to be able to ask meaningful questions.
The most notable thing about this Indian hospital was that it was open to the outside air. There was a roof covering and individual rooms were almost sealed off, but all the hallways were open to the outside air. This design is probably to allow a breeze to cool the people who are sitting in the waiting areas that line the hallways. People in these waiting areas stared at us the entire time we were touring the hospital, but at this point in the trip I am so used to stares that it is no longer makes an impact. The hospital had a very large number of beds, 3 operating tables, and seemed too be quite modern and capable of taking on most illnesses. 
After our visit to the hospital we came back to ICSA. I read 150 pages of the girl who played with fire. Then we all went out to eat at a very good vegetarian Indian restaurant. It was really very good, much better than the mediocre American food we has the night before. I am starting to think that the food at ICSA is just kind of bad… Whenever we eat out the food seems to be much better than the food here.
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