August 26th, 2017 by jenniferolmstead

I woke up extra early today. Spent some time in prayer and went back to sleep. Just felt maybe I needed it after yesterday. So, breakfast was kinda on our own today as maam worked all night and now she is sick today. I think she is just rundown from not sleeping for a week or two. She cannot go on 2-3 hours of broken sleep a day for that long of a period of time. Anyway, I got coffee with breakfast, amazing, first time since Delhi. I made myself scrambled eggs and some pineapple left over from last night. Was almost like being home, except eating with my fingers.
I went to the male ward today. It is actually the largest ward and contains male, female, and children. The kids are admitted here when there are no beds in the pediatric ward. They came through today and located some beds that could be moved to the pediatric ward now that it is completed. It was quite interesting and very busy. For the morning, I just entertained kids. They really like the photos I have of animals at the zoo. Glad I did not take them out of my phone before coming. The nurses even asked me to continue as it was helping them get their work done. You see when I entertain kids, family members of the kids as well as others all watch and try to see. This leads to fewer interruptions for busy nurses. It also left me feeling like I was not learning anything. I was thinking of going to a different ward as I felt I would learn and be more helpful, but I was asked to stay. I did finally get to help some. Went to lunch. We found out we are confirmed for a tour of the tea gardens tomorrow after church sometime. We are all so excited. They are going to see if we can go to the factory sometime as well, however it is not open on Sunday so we will have to leave to hospital some afternoon to see it. I will keep you posted.
So, after lunch I went back to the ward and was keeping the nurse company and asking questions about meds during her med pass. She repeatedly told me she enjoyed my just being with her while she passed. We were sitting at the desk and I had just mixed a med for her while she prepared another when the excitement started. Someone started saying something about what was behind the sink. Everyone was trying to look and someone said it was a snake. So being the crazy American I jumped up on a bed close by and proceeded to take photos. I figured if I showed everyone photos fewer people would crowd around and thus they were less likely to be bit. They must have all agreed as everyone backed up and then wanted to see my photo. Then it poked its head about by about 4-5 inches. So, I took another photo to keep everyone back. Then this lady, as none of the men were willing to get close, tried to hit it with her flipflop, not heavy-duty dollar store style. The snake went back behind the sink. Feeling brave now a man tried to pull the sink from the wall, which was not very effective as it was attached to the floor. I took a better picture so show everyone. Then it got really exciting. The snake dropped to the floor and took off under the beds. Now you have to remember this is a ward with about 15 beds lined up on each side, total about 30. So as the snake goes people are jumping on beds and yelling while patient from the other side are running down the aisle chasing the snake. The lady on the bed at the end was just sitting there with no idea what was going on and wondering what we were all up to. So, the snake climbs the wall and goes out the window. The windows here all have bars but no screens. With all the excitement, the men who stand outside next to motor scooters all day, not sure why they are there but they are there every day all day, took up the chase they followed the crowd from outside and then surrounded the snake on the outside. They had a meeting of the minds, not sure what they discussed, and then grabbed stick and began swinging at the snake. It was really quite something. I went around outside and took pictures, after they were done. It was about 3 feet long. I found out later that yes it was poisonous.
Feeing that was enough excitement for the day I sat down with the nurse to wait for the next shift that was due at any time. I tried to go show off my pictures but couldn’t locate anyone. Well the nurses told the oncoming nurses about the snake and they all wanted to see it. So, it ended as an exciting day.
I went and found the others and holly and I headed home. I was planning on going to town for more eggs. Deborah was going to walk with me but when she asked her mom for permission she was told that I could use the eggs they had and save a trip. In exchange, she took me to see the pigs. It is odd that they would raise pigs here, but they do behind the garage. It is the only animal that is normal size. They look the same as those at home. I didn’t think to take my camera so no photos. I asked and was told that every year for Christmas they cook a pig and invite everyone to the church for dinner. Not sure what they do with the rest of them as they have lots of little piglets right now. The girls are doing laundry tonight, they seem to be rather energetic so I’m writing and relaxing. After dinner, I need to cut potatoes for tomorrow breakfast.