It is about time that I have added an blog entry...as we are moving into our 14th week in China.
We have been immersed in the Chinese culture, experiencing delicious food, tea, mah zhong, tai qi, friendship, and of course - the traditional medicine.
The language has provided us with some entertainment. All of us have improved in mandarin, yet there is still an significant amount of pointing and charades. We have been offered free, one on one, language lessons by the school....but like these blog entries, we've been slow on getting involved.
Our days in the hospital have been action packed...that is, us sitting still and absorbing the swirl of patients all around. So far, we have shadowed Doctors in rheumatology, respiratory, cardiology, gynecology, digestion and neurology. We will make it through each department with the opportunity to follow several Doctors in each. Western medicine and traditional Chinese have been integrated in many cases. Patients get sent for diagnostic tests and come back the same hour with the results of CT scan, ECG, ultrasounds, etc. It is amazing. It has been incredible to follow such experienced Doctors. I have really expanded my herbal knowledge, especially with modifying formulas and dosages.
Our time out of the hospital has been spent wandering around Chengdu. It is a wonderful city. The locals are champions of lounging in outdoor teahouses and parks. This city is known for its' relaxed pace. It is a nice balance to the typically busy student life.
We have enjoyed the occassional badminton in the park and outdoor ping pong games. Some of us have also frequented the mechandise markets. We are talking numerous blocks of warehouse stores where bardering is the norm, and low prices not hard to find.
Now for something I find humerous here....The street cleaning trucks belt out the tune HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Take care all.

Natalie