Thursday: Celebrating the Hindu Goddess of Learning & Education

I met my colleagues for breakfast tea at the cash canteen. Manisha was dressed up for today's celebration.

We had some cake. I thought it was interesting that one of the ingredients is "Improver." I wonder what else I could add that to to achieve improvement?

I saw these big bowls being prepared and learned that these were for making momos for lunch (and yes, we came back here for lunch -- see below). I like the bright colors of some of these foods.

Then we walked across to the medical library building where a crowd had assembled for the annual celebration of the Hindu Goddess of Learning & Education. First, Dr. Ram, the founder and CEO of this hospital campus said a few inspiring words (in Nepali). 

Then everyone lined up and placed offerings of flower petals and money in front of this poster/picture of the goddess. The Hindus then were blessed by a priest (in Sanskrit) who placed red or mustard-colored dabs on their foreheads. I decided I wasn't eligible for that blessing.

I like how the Goddess has 4 arms/hands.

This is one of my student friends.

And here are my colleagues.

We all got these small plates with some fruit, and the yellow stuff is some fried wheat flour soaked in honey (it was super sweet).

The clinic was short-staffed today, so here Siras is covering the reception desk.

We returned to the cash canteen for lunch. Here are the cooks making momos. They are really fast! Then they steam them.

I ate a few veg momos and some "clear soup." The soup was tasty. like a miso soup.

As an apertif or digestive, everyone takes a handful of these fennel seeds and sugar granules. It tastes like bird food to me.

Back at the clinic, I watched Mansiha do a root canal treatment.

This student was getting a consult from Anil.

These 3rd year students were requesting to have tomorrow afternoon off (on leave). Anil didn't make it easy for them. 

I looked at this 3rd-year student's practice cavity preparations.

After school, I walked the 1/3 mile to the mini-grocery and bought some mixed fruit jam. I have decided that orange marmalade does not make good PB&J sandwiches. Then I stopped at the Tik-Tok and had a pizza and a coke. I ate about 3/4 of the pizza. 

I followed the sunset as I walked home.