india.

Last week I was in India. I can't even believe last week, this time I was in Delhi, shopping with my family and eating yummy food on the streets.
It was a hectic, yet wonderful experience. It's been 22 years since I've been back with my entire family. It's always been either my sister and I and/or with my ma, but this time it was the whole fam jam.

All I can say about India: ORGANIZED CHAOS. You wonder how people survive in such a country where if you aren't up to pace then you are cut from the entire crowd and considered an outsider. A country where respect is number one, yet if you come from a lower social class, others treat you with disrespect. Where anger is not the solution, the answer to everything is "don't worry, it will get done." And, as a matter of fact everything does work out. Nothing is ever planned.

In a way it's overwhelming, crazy, out of control type of lifestyle, but the other way I look at it, is it's different. It's a different outlook on life and one the key attributes I learnt through this particular experience is patience is a virtue.

Travelling for 10 days wasn't easy, especially since my entire trip revolved around going to this store, after this store, after this religious place etc. It was a go, go life but luckily being in a program that's taught me to balance certain tasks, I felt I could handle it, or at least my mind could. My body on the other hand feel sick 4 days into the trip. The flu got the best of me, and now back in Winnipeg, I am left with a sinus infection.

Was it worth it, you may ask?

Yes, every experience is worth it. Be it good OR bad.

All I can say-  family comes first and everything else is the many added benefits to the nourishment of my life.

Cousins and I the first night in Allahabad - Gunjan Didi Wedding.

Khumb Mela.

Millions of people gather for a celebration that happens every 12 years. Hindu men, women and children gather in a holy place in Allahabad, India and dip in the Ganges water to free them from all there sins. During this time as many as 30 million people attend. In a couple of days, I will be one of them.

I've decided not to go near the Ganges because it's unsafe - already 36 people have died, mostly women and children in a stampede that happened two days ago. But the coincidence is many years back when my ma was in India, she prayed at the Ganges saying that when "my daughters are older, I pray that we will be back 12 years from now during the time". Her wish came true.

I will post pictures during the time I am there.

Photography: Macleans website. 

dishonest.

I've always loved children and even though I would never think of having them for my own, I knew in the back of my mind there would come a point where I would.

I also confide in my doctor a lot. I've changed doctors over the years because when I was around the age of 19, I felt more comfortable with a woman doctor which ended up leading me back to my family doctor. He's someone who really cares for human beings and someone I trust.

Now here is the issue.

When I read articles where doctors tell other women lies that they have cancer in the uterus and have to get a hysterectomy- then I become VERY angry inside.

This is happening in Rajasthan -north-west of India as I write this.

Women are confiding in doctors, saying that during menstruation they are bleeding heavy. The doctors recommend they get there uterus removed because they say they 'MIGHT' develop cancer.

Many of the women in the article were reluctant of getting the surgery but they did because the doctor told them so. Did I mention the doctors get paid $200 which is equivalent to 10,644 rupees. For some people, especially in this village it means selling there house and/or animals and hope to survive in this tough world.

Not only that but most of the women who get these surgeries are physically tired and cannot do 'normal' activities like they used to.

This article doesn't have to do only with the lack of education but also dishonesty. If my doctor told me, Priya, if you don't get this surgery your life will be ruined- I would think for 2 minutes and end up getting the surgery. This is because we often trust people who have vowed to take care of humans. Not only that but we simply trust our doctors.

It's sad. It's sad because we live in a world where greed means more than the value of human beings.