A Guava a Day Keeps The Doctor Away?

Casual dinner at home. Eating with our hands. Rice, curry, and veggies.
Auntie and Uncle were out that night, so just we Americans at the table. 

Kyla, Suzanne, and I have gone through a lot together at the Ramanans-- From the excitement of two engagements in one weekend in August, to the dissonance caused by Umma's (the thirteen year old maid) sudden departure yesterday. We eat three meals together every day and sit around on our laptops together every night. The three of us listen closely to Uncle's discussions on Hinduism or linguistics, and laugh at Auntie's silly rhymes and dances. We've seen been through ups and downs, laughs, tears, and many candid rants. We've discussed religion and politics and love. We know all about each others' family and friends back the US.

Through this semester long home stay, Suzanne, Kyla, and I are sharing experiences that will shape us for the rest of our lives, experiences that no one else in the whole wide world will ever understand in the same way. Sometimes, I feel like our lives could be a reality show-- three random twenty year old girls sent across the world to do everything together as part of a big crazy family in a foreign country, where they don't know the language or culture. Trust me, if our lives were taped, it would NOT be boring.

But, I think that living together as part of this family makes us more like sisters than reality show co-stars. Like sisters, we push each other's buttons, we get sick of each other's mannerisms, we snap with impatience and bicker over the petty things. And, like sisters, we have a deep sense of loyalty that I find hard to explain. All I know, is that if another student ever brings up Kyla or Suzanne in any sort of a negative light, I become personally defensive.

Auntie and Uncle have mentioned to us a few times now that we are a "unique batch of SIPpies". (SIP being the name of the greater program, Study in India Program). Of course, in the past ten year, the Ramanans have hosted other memorable individuals, but Uncle asserts that we have a profoundly good dynamic with each other and the family. Auntie and Uncle have gone so far as to say that we are the best students they have ever hosted, to which I always joke "you say that every semester". But one night, Uncle got very serious and said, "Stop saying that Leah! Its true, we are going to miss you girls so much and I need you to understand that I mean it!" It was so sweet! And we are definitely going to miss them too, so so much. 

Anyways, I am bringing all of this up because today was a pretty horrific day for we three Ramanan SIPpies. The three of us have each been pretty sick this week. Turns out, sharing everything includes germs. I was proud to have mostly maintained good health up to this point, but this week I started to fall apart. Basically, my body just felt wholly unwell and unregulated, hormonally and digestively/gastrointestinally. Simultaneously, I had a mild fever, sore throat, and overwhelming congestion. Kyla and Suzanne were big balls of symptoms, as well. 

Today, Kyla and Suzanne both landed in the hospital! (I faired slightly better, only requiring some NASTY ayurvedic medicines.) Needless to say, it was a miserable day of waiting rooms, forms, nurses, doctors, insurance, blood test, operations, and prescriptions. And, because its India, unexpected frustrations came up at even the simplest part of this complex day, just trying to direct the rickshaw back form the hospital. 

This synchronized physical breakdown could not have come at a worst time. Kyla, Suzanne, and I are supposed to leave tomorrow at sunrise for a trip to Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas! We have been so looking forward to this trip-- a break from Hyderabadi heat, beautiful mountain views, delicious tea, and great shopping. And it was supposed to be a bonding weekend for the three of us! There were points today when we were each individually certain that we would not be able to go. But by some miracle, we survived the day and all landed home around 5:30 this evening-- worn out, full of medicines, down a few thousand rupees, but okay-ed to leave in the morning. HALLELUJAH THANK THE LORD!

It is time to print our boarding passes, research activities/restaurants, do some laundry, and pack everything up! (Oh, and have some cake at midnight for Auntie-dearest's birthday!) We leave the house at 6am tomorrow and land in Bagdogra (closest airport to Darjeeling) around lunchtime. We have some monasteries and sites we'd like to hit this weekend, but at this point, I'd be happy to just sit all day every day with some tea, a book, a blanket, and a view of the Himalayas. We are all just grateful to be alive and well enough to go! Let the family bonding go beyond the Ramanan household all the way to the mountains!!

So, goodbye internet, I will see you again in five days.. and I will bring back many gorgeous pictures of Mt. Everest at sunrise :)