Day 1 in Guwahati

December 2, 2009 – 7am in Guwahati (12/1/09 at 8:30pm EST)


What a great first day. All walks of life are represented on this trip. We were strangers, but now we are a team and quickly everyone is starting to feel like extended family. I was astounded to discover the majority (90%) of the group has been on other Operation Smile tours before. In fact, this is the 32nd mission for Kathy, one of the nurses@! It seems to be an addiction for many – they just keep coming back for more! There are a few of us whose first experience begins today. It’s all quite humbling.

We overnighted in Delhi at the USI residency Towers just 10 minutes down the road from the Delhi airport. I was surprised to see more of an apartment rather than a hotel room – kitchen and all! My shower was quite refreshing to say the least as my roommate (Stephanie an administrator for the surgical simulation center at CHOP in Philly) weren’t quite smart enough to turn on the water heater the night prior! Breakfast was delicious – a blend of Indian and American.

We departed Delhi at 11am for Guwahati. Security was very tight in the airport as we had to show our passports and itineraries 10 different times! We felt safe! The flight was beautiful as we flew next to the Himalayas and I got to know Eileen, a CRN from Seattle! This is her seventh mission and is not soon to be her last!

Unfortunately, the hotel that Op Smile has used in previous mission (and 2 blocks from the center of the city) was unavailable to host the entire group. Therefore, we are about 20 minutes outside the city at Hotel Ginger. I was quite surprised with the accommodations as I was expecting less.

Our trek to the hotel was an experience in and of itself. We were quickly introduced to the local landscape. Again, I was humbled. I’ve always taken for granted simple things like clean water for bathing and drinking; the ability to go to the grocery store and picking up anything; having a solid roof over my head and even a bathroom! These are luxuries in this area.

Dinner was hosted on the lawn of the hotel where we were greeted with a dance and music troop. It almost felt like a luau! We were briefed on what to expect over the next few days of screening. The one constant was to expect chaos and the need to be flexible. Imagine – you’ve travelled hours from your home, slept outside and waited in line to try and get the care your child needs.

It’s now 7am in Guwahati on Tuesday and we are ready to leave for our first screening day. Have a great night’s sleep everyone and remember to be thankful for all you have.

PS...I can't upload files on the public computer so I'll have to post them when I have better internet access.  Please come back as the photos are worth a thousand words!