I have a new girlfriend now. I had noticed her staring at me at the canteen during meals. I would look over at the other table and she would be looking over at me. One evening I was reading a book by the a light near the clinic and she shyly came over and asked my name (in English) and where I was from. I asked her the same questions, and then she ran off.

She's not really my girlfriend... just an admirer. She told Dolly that she is so interested in finding out about America, and in (Hindi) movies, Americans are always such bad guys, but I seem so nice (and have such nice eyes). We heard through the gossip circle that one evening last week I came to dinner and she made her friends change seats so I would have to sit next to her.

Also, for the single ladies out there, if you are looking to marry a young Hindustani man involved in the medical profession and working for social equality, we have a couple of eligible bachelors you may want to check out... get in touch for details.

Its also beginning to cool down here. Days have been in the mid 80s and nights have been as low as 72, and we have started getting up in the night to turn off the fan. This is a bit of a nuisance, due to the mosquito net around the bed, but I'm no longer damp from sweat every moment of the day, and I don't have to force myself to gulp down water by the liter.