Sub-Center Meeting in Patna District

                As part of the first week of the Emory crew, CARE decided to take us all to a sub-center platform meeting nearby in a rural part of Patna district. We all went to the district office and then started our journey. 

Step One: Chat at the district office and eat cookies. :)

Step Two: We’re off! Commemorating our send-off in front of the purple palace (aka – the Patna District Office)… The guy in the alley did not come with us.

On the way to the sub-center: Jack fruit salesman..

Made it!

Patna Museum!

Our first weekend we explored the Patna Museum, which is a "must see" activity in Patna, though I'm not sure I agree. I'm sure there were interesting things going on in the museum, but my lack of knowledge of the intricacies of Patna artifacts and the sparse labeling made for some blank stares from time to time. 

If you do go to this, I'd recommend a stroll through in the winter time, as it gets quite hot inside, even with the fans blowing!

An outside archway.

No cameras allowed inside the museum so our photos outside had to suffice.

Outside Buddha statue! I'm unclear if this was old or new..

"Chillin'" outside the Patna Museum...

Ali in the best seat of the auto rickshaws... you get a nice view of all the cars you're about to hit...

Actually, these seats are not for women. But we didn't realize this, and we are such a large group, that we still do it anyways. :-O

I finally got my sizzling brownie at Nirvana! :)

On the way to work!

In case I need something ironed, I have an option right across the street!

A look into my favorite shop: kachori padjhi, samosas, and kachcha aam choos (green mango popsicles). So basically I can come by this place in the morning, afternoon, or evening for a happy 5 rupee treat. :)

Don’t forget to water your bricks!

I love the house colors in this city!

My favorite name for an Institute of Science… :)

Research Assistant Training!

Last week was RA training time, full of fun participatory learning activities and pilot testing. First up was the quintessential activity of my focus group, the problem tree. We did a few activities without any maternal nutrition so that we could all start thinking of the activities as ways to learn SOMETHING and not just talk about IFA all day. So this tree shows how people in Patna see causes and consequences of STRESS. A little different than those in Atlanta, I’d bet. Some similarities like traffic and family issues… and some different ones like cricket matches and social violence… This was the week after a noted politician was shot during a demonstration over gas prices and the city was reacting to his death.

Domino's

Oh yeah, there is Dominoes (दोमिनोज़) here and they deliver. And it’s tasty and delicious and may make your tumbly grumbly.. :-O

Emory Girls at CCD

So the first order of business with the MPH student arrival was of course, going to Café Coffee Day. It’s a coffee shop chain that is swiffering the nation and there are 2 locations in Patna, one happens to be a 5 minute walk from our guesthouse.

We made it back there a couple of days later meeting four new Patna friends (a couple I met on Boring Road from the states and some friends of Maryam who are living in Patna right now.) Such a popular bunch we became!

MPH Students!

                Over the last 2 days three Emory students have arrived! It’s been great exploring the city with them this weekend and sharing my favorite spots (Café Coffee Day!). We also went to the Patna Museum this afternoon which was pretty packed despite the heat and even went to Nirvanna for a delicious sizzling brownie! I was quite excited to finally go there again after my first trip with Meggha in November.. :)

                One of the girls in the group speaks Hindi so we’ve been able to wander around town much more… so excited to keep exploring with them!