Tuesday, April 10, 2007

The Rare and Radiant Doctor Rash

Once upon a Himalaya, Doctor Rash went to staya,
To bring health and healing to many a needy Indian child, woman and groom.
While she toiled, in her treating, suddenly she dreamed of eating,
As in somewhere with some heating, heating of the dining room,
'Tis unbearable', she muttered, dreaming of that dining room,
'I need warmth and more legroom.'

Ah distinctly I recall, she was barely there at all,
When I heard her in a call, state that curry would be her doom.
Eagerly I tried to calm her, putting forth a nuanced demur,
To suggest that she might well prefer - to stick to basics and consume,
All those bland and boring dishes that we generally assume,
Will keep us from a freezing bathroom.

And the rugged, shear, demanding conditions on that Himalayan landing,
Thrilled her - filled her with fantastic moments that began to bloom,
So that now, she thinks with wonder of those weeks she spent down under,
On that cold, wet, rough, harsh tundr, and each frigid uninviting room,
Where she kept the Himalayans from their fate that seems to loom,
Of almost certain hygienic doom.

I had intended to go further with that poem but it's time consuming and I don't think I'm going to make it as a poet anyway. In case you don't recognize its origin you can check it out here or here (thank you Edgar).

I am certainly not in a position to adequately summarize what Karin experienced in the Himalayas. Parts were wonderful. Parts were difficult. It's all a rich tapestry, you know. Overall she did find it to be rewarding. It is also something that she wanted to do for a long time - and she dropped everything to do it. So major kudos for that.

If any of you plan on being in San Diego over the next few weeks do let us know. We are going to be having people over at some point for a personal Himalayas and India Show & Tell event. No Indian food will be served.