TRAVEL An Indian Odyssey, part 6: Hospital

An Indian Odyssey - Part Six


Personal Trainer
Paul O'Brien

The human touch
Travelling. What is it about the experience that determines whether it’s a holiday from hell or a suitcase full of memories? For me, the answer is simple – the people. The kindness of a stranger, a helping hand or receiving service beyond expectation can transform one’s impression of a place. It can even define your holiday.
Of all the places I have visited, I am hard pushed to remember people more friendly than those here in India. Curious, warm, caring, quick to smile, slow to anger, helpful…
I recently became afflicted with a viral infection that left me very weak, dehydrated and exhausted. Added to this, I had a throat ulcer, nausea, fever and a constant headache. For the first couple of days, the old Irish male stubbornness ruled, and I lay in bed sweating, aching and dropping paracetemol. However, during this time I was also visited by many of my Indian friends, supplying me with everything from fruit and fluids to homeopathic  medicines.
After two days and persistent encouragement, I finally agreed to go to the hospital. I attended Columbia Asia private in Bangalore. After a quick registration, I was told to take a seat. Twenty minutes later (yes a mere 20 minutes), I was seen by a doctor.
After asking lots of questions to try to determine exactly what was wrong, he examined me and prescribed medication. I picked up my meds in the pharmacy 20 yards from his office.
The whole experience took a half an hour. The staff were courteous, attentive and smiling. The hospital itself was magnificent, bright floors and walls, clear air and a pleasant atmosphere.
I was shocked by how far ahead of anything at home it was.
The best part, and you’ll have to trust me on this, was the cost. For my registration, consultation and medication I was charged Rs560. That’s just under €9 to you and me!
A couple of days of medication and I was still not right. A friend insisted that I come and stay at her parents’ house. Her mother had previously been a nurse and would, I was assured, have me back to my normal self within days.
For three days I was fed, rested, given an IV drip and generally spoiled rotten. My friend’s mum seemed to know, just by looking at me, at what stage my condition was and what was needed at that point. True to her word, in three days I was on a bus bound for Goa for some overdue chilling. I had to force money upon my friend to pay for my medication, as her mother would not hear of taking anything from me. “It is”, she said, “our duty to help someone in need. We do what we can and leave the rest to God.”
She smiled and told me that her family had been privileged to be allowed to take care of someone in need.
I was utterly humbled by the selfless attitude and the genuine care for someone they didn’t know.
With travelling, as with life in general, the true measure of value is in how much of ourselves we give selflessly to others. India has been a good teacher.

Paul O’Brien is a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise and a qualified life coach based in Westport. He is currently spending a couple of months in Bangalore, India, where he is setting up Summer fitness camps for children. This article is one of a series detailing his experiences as a fitness instructor in a foreign culture.