Merry Christmas
This year I spent my second Christmas in India. The first, nine years ago, was halfway through a solo around-the-world trip, and it was much different. Back then I celebrated Christmas by having ice cream by myself in Delhi. This year I celebrated with more people than I could count. Us four Americans (and our neighborhood Muslim friends) decorated a tree outside with flower garlands and the few ornaments that my mom could send us and we put up tiny stockings at the guest house. People came by all day long to wish up a “happy” Christmas, and throughout the day I found little candies and (melted) chocolate in my stocking. Dr. Gawande organized a dinner for us on the lawn with all of the staff, and halfway through the power went out. We kept going though, singing jingle bells for everyone to the light of a full moon. We’ve been at the college for almost five months and everyone here has really become like family to us.
