Jay in India?

India? Yes India. I have traveled to Jamkhed India for a 2 week Observation of the Comprehensive Rural Health Project. I left last Wednesday morning and flew Air India to Mumbai, India. I arrived on Thursday evening. I waited at the Mumbai Airport for Dr. Thompson of Global Health Ministries to arrive around Midnight. Then we waited for the 10 person team from Nigeria to arrive at 4 AM Friday and the 5 person team from Madagascar to arrive at 5 AM. When all had arrived and cleared customs we boarded a Tata Starbus(Indian truck and bus brand) and made the 6 hour drive to Jamkhed.

The drove through Mumbai and across the bay. At the first toll booth plaza we stopped for restroom, drinks and snacks. This area served mostly street foods, tea, and bottled drinks. We drove on through the lowlands and industrial parks of Mumbai.

Then we started up the steep hills surrounding Mumbai. After a tunnel or two and about half way up the bolt connection the shifter to the transmission linkage broke. The driver found a bolt that might fit but the driver could not get it to installed. Finally, an older mechanic arrived on a moped and was able to reconnect the gear shifter to the transmission and we continued to climb out of Mumbai.

With having more than one gear we continued up the hill onto the plains. After a few hours we stopped at another rest area. This one had a sit down restaurant, where we had lunch.

A while after lunch we came to Ahmednagar and a Courtyard by Marriot. Ahmednagar is a District capital and an industrial town. There were many high tech and modern factories. Quite a difference from the rural farming country we had been traveling through.

A few hours later we arrived at Jamkhed around 5 in the evening. A lot of very tired travelers. I had been traveling the longest, slightly under 48 hours. 

Saturday we started on the history of the founders of the project and the concepts of Comprehensive Rural Health Project. At this point all I will say is that they take a comprehensive view of a village's health (not just physical health) and they emphasize Equity rather than Equality. Monday we went on a village visit. 

This is all for tonight. I am 10.5 hours ahead of Minnesota. It is almost 10 PM here in Jamkhed.