Greetings from Manali!!!

Dear friends whom I have not managed to email, greetings from the beautiful and freezing cool Manali :) Hehe, was only just reminded that I've got a blog where I can tell ya all bout the excitement here in India

It's been such an exciting journey!!! Me and Xian arrived at Chennai airport (after a rather bearable budget flight) to be surprised by the barren airport. But thank God that was only the international airport. The domestic airport was very homely and cosy. We had a good cheap supper of snapple n puffs. Then YingXian took his really cool camara (DSLR) and we attracted alot of strangers who came to talk to us. And so we made a few really nice Indian friends who were mostly photography enthus. So we talked from photo to camera to life in Singapore and India.

Then the flight from Chennai to Delhi on Jet airways was superb. It is really as good as SQ!!! The food was excellent and the service was great. We totally enjoyed the flight :) Then landing at Delhi airport was another adventure. We were stuck with the decision whether or not to check into a hotel to dump our heavy luggage or go straight to the bus place to get a bus. Then we decided that it'll be too expansive to get a hotel (cos all the hotels near the bus place was the 5 star ones). So we got the pre-paid cab to take us to the bus place (which was another blessing cos we went to the tourism counter for help and they really did + try to convince us to buy their service).

So we took the cab, who, by God's was a very responsible one. He didn't know the place but went the extra mile to help us find it. He could have just dropped us off anywhere. So by God's grace, we found the bus company in a lonely quiet corner of a building. We got our tix and MORE. Yes, another blessing, the person there upon us asking bout touring Manali, drew us a map, from how to get to the hospital to all the nice places to visit, all in detail. What's a greater blessing was that we were able to leave our bags with him in the office. Thank God!!! We didn't have to lug our heavy bags with us :)

So we went to explore the streets of Delhi. Cut short all the detail (we had lunch in Macs :) ate this big mac but instead of beef, it was something like otah chicken. Quite nice). Here, we had been "cheated". But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise :) God's really good and YingXian is really street smart :) Thank God for him. Anyway, I found this Medical bookstore that sells original medical books at much less than in Singapore, like 60-80% cheaper. I bought on S$50 book at S$10 after conversion.

The 16h bus ride wasn't that bad either, better than the budget air journey. Had our first off-the-Indian-street meal of butter toast and hot "chai" (which is sweet spice Indian tea). In the cold morning of 5am, it was very welcoming and delicious. The sun only lit up the land bout 7am and then we were awed by the great beauty which surrounded us. Manali is REALLY beautiful. Peaceful clear waters, majestic mountains, white stones, beautiful trees...All creation truly testifies how great the Creator is!!! Wish you were all here to enjoy what my eyes have witnessed :)

We found the hospital without much difficulty. The locals seem to hold the hospital with great respect. Cos when we asked for directions, ppl were so willing to direct us the fastest way instead of taut us. Really thankful for that. We managed to catch the Sunday service. Once again, I was surrounded by such a crowd of witness. Indeed, how amazing it is to be amongst people worshipping the Lord from different nations and tribes. All praise and glory be to Him!!!

Oh did I mention that it was really supposed to be snowing here in Manali!! According to the locals, this year is weird cos there is no snow, but it's still cold. Thank God for Dagu's jacket and Dad's weisheng yi. Thanks Joyce for helping me get it. But it's really nice weather, not so humid. Almost like being in a natural air con room.

Oh, we met this US couple who are missionaries serving here. A group of US students from their church back home were here to join them in a 1 week missions trip too. So they brought us out for a superb Indian lunch and even let us join their trekking trip. This was a great great blessing!!! We could not have dared or known the trekking route, but now we were able to go with a group of 10 who were quite experienced trekkers along a beautiful, yet-to-be-destroyed-by-tourist route. It was really God's blessing!!! And the trek while tiring and even dangerous (according to the guy, who is serving in the hospital as a paramedic, said that a British girl fell off the cliff and was sent to the hospital via helicopter) was indeed gorgeous. Yingxian has taken many nice photos, so wait for him to upload them. Oh yes, thank God for the trekking shoes, saved my life quite a lot today :) Money well invested.

So far, we have really been holidaying and under such comfortable conditions. Tmr, our actual medical work starts. I'm a little reluctant to start work, but yet excited bout the work to come. We've been treated so well by the locals and staff in the hospital we feel a little bad. Xian says we're only medical students yet we're treated like kings (even got another student from Canada help us to borrow heater, which was really out of her way). I'm sure that the rest of the month here will be exciting and fun!!!