End of an Era

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 23 June 2014: Local Time 15.36

Well this is it. Time for this blog to end. It has been fun writing this, and well worth the experience of visiting India. Although we did none of the touristy things, the trip was a complete success, and we take many fond memories with us. Allan and Eric are safely home, their knees fixed and happy to be back around loved ones.
I hope that all those who followed this blog enjoyed the updates and pictures we posted along the way. Who knows, there may be another adventure to follow sometime in the future. Only time and opportunity will tell.
So we bid you all farewell and wish you safe on your blog journeys, wherever they may lead you.
The last day I decided to take a trip into town and have posted some photos.
Allan, Eric and myself want to thank all those involved in making this trip possible, karma is watching you.
Namaste!

View from the luxury of a tuk tuk

Give way to the right and cattle.

Beautiful architecture

Always an ornate building to be found

Even the gateways are beautiful

The boss

Fantastic Dubai terminals

View from the driver's side. On the way home.

Thanks all, see you next blog/adventure.

Front row seat on the bus back home from
Harare.

Back in Zim

21 June 2014: Harare Zimbabwe Local Time: 22.10

Well the flights are done and dusted and we have returned from India, wiser, healthier and sort of walking. Both Eric and Allan are still feeling stiff, but are really happy to be back home. Tomorrow morning it's another early morning as we meet for the bus back to Bulawayo. Will post pictures of our travels around Ahmedabad when I return home. From then on it will be the end of this adventure and, unfortunately, this blog. (The main reason being we cannot have 3 Men Go To India, when we are in the middle of Africa) That's another whole adventure in itself.

OK, now all the stitches out

Sunday 15th June 2014: Local Time 16.55

OK, so now it's official, all the stitches (more like staples to be precise) have been removed from both Allan and Eric. Dr Singh came in this morning and "unclipped" their legs.
He seems very happy with the results. Allan's leaking leg looks like it has dried up well and the antibiotics have taken effect. Eric's wound, which had bled the first few days after the operation, has also healed nicely. So now I can tell them no excuses. It's time to get those running shoes out of the cupboard.

While having a word with Allan's son Tony in Australia this morning, he wondered if we would be able to fall asleep once we returned home, after spending a month with Allan and his world class snoring. I suggested taping Allan and playing it when I get home and slowly wean myself off until I can sleep with peace and quiet. It was then he came up with the idea of taking it into the bush when we go camping and using it as an aid to scare off lion. Like a true Zimbabwean entrepreneur I might just make the recordings and sell the discs under different headings. "Lion Deterrent" for the African market. "Tiger Deterrent" for the Indian and Asian market, and finally "Grizzly Deterrent" for the US market. Although the snoring does sometimes sound like a Grizzly on heat so that might work the opposite and attract bears.

Otherwise the other huge news is that we had a flying visit by the technicians last night who fixed the signal to the rooms that allow us to watch the live FIFA World Cup games. Unfortunately, the early games in Brasil start here only at 21.30 and the rest during the wee hours of the morning. And the only living creatures awake at that time of the morning are the night staff, Eric, myself and some poor hapless tiger who wandered into earshot.
It's our last Sunday here of a very successful trip. With the stitches out we are hoping to perhaps go to town in the coming week to have a look around. Will take photos for all to see.

Entering the Home Straight

Saturday 14 June 2014: Local Time 12.10

We have entered our final week here in India and the countdown has begun. This will be our last Saturday here. By this time next week, we will be on the bus back to Bulawayo, hopefully to arrive back by early afternoon. (Unless the road works and police road blocks have something to say about it.) It has been a long time, yet gone so quickly. The days seem to be flying by and within no time it seems we will be getting ready to board the plane from Ahmedabad back to Dubai. At least this time we will not have to spend 17 hours at the airport. Which is a pity because I wanted to get Allan and Eric back for the time we spent coming over. My plan was to hire a wheelchair for myself and get them to push me all around the airport for a few hours. Ah well, maybe next time.
The worst of the news is that we have not been able to watch any of the FIFA world cup football in Brasil. We woke up to the shock of finding out Holland beat Spain by 5 goals to 1. Would have been a nice one to watch. So my apologies to Tsana at home, sorry love, I will most likely be catching up on a lot of sports for the first few days and hogging the TV remote.
Spirits are still good and both lads regularly sleep and go for walks, sleep and go for walks.
Yesterday Eric and myself made it to the front entrance of the hospital and it was nice for him to see a different view for a change. The whole time they have been here they have only really seen the 3rd floor, whereas I am lucky enough to be able to walk out and about.
They both still have stitches in one leg, Eric in his right and Allan in his left, and hopefully they will be coming out in the next day or two. The doctors have been in a few times to change the dressings and check on the healing process. They are happy with the results and have left the stitches in as a precaution. I am not sure if we mentioned it but, Dr Shah did say that Eric's right knee was one of the worst he had ever operated on, and they still managed to fix it. Respect!

Childhood nightmare is now a thing of the past

Thursday 12th June 2014: Local Time 10.40am

Ask any child growing up in Mutare, Zimbabwe, in and around the '70's and almost all of them were traumatised by going to the dentist. I won't mention names but the dentist's name rhymed with "kill-em" and that's what we used to call him. Even driving past the building gave me the shivers and up until this trip those innate fears continued to haunt me.
So you can imagine my dread when I decided to take advantage of the the dental services here at Krishna Shalby and have my teeth checked.
Naturally, after a gap of 14 years since last visiting the dentist, I plucked up the courage and humbly shuffled down the the dental surgery.
Considering the time gap, my teeth were not too bad, two fillings needed and root canal and crown. I have just finished my fourth and final session and all is good. So I have to take my hat off to Dr. Namrata Babariya. Everything I feared, dreaded and remembered about visiting the dentist had completely disappeared. Even the painful root canal was not as bad as I imagined.

Other news (I suppose I can't make this all about me) is that Allan's sore on his leg has stopped seeping and all the doctors and happy. Eric and Allan are both slowly moving around and have to get their muscles used to walking unaided again. It's the calves that are having to do some work after a long time on vacation

Missed A Day

Wednesday 11 June: Local Time 12.33

Just in case anyone thought we had taken the day off to go gallivanting around the city and visit  tourist sites and the like, I am afraid it was not so. It was just a simple case of no Internet connection.

We spent most of the day in the hospital, both Allan and Eric are walking a lot more. Even this morning Allan did two rounds of the block. Both are progressing well.

Allan still has a slight infection in his lower left leg, which seems to be seeping. He has had it looked at several times and nobody is concerned. As a precaution they put two staples back in and put new dressings on. The room is constantly being bombarded with guests, from doctors, nurses, attendants and even a visit by a couple from Kenya. The price of fame. (Although it really is just the level of service that Shalby gives. I haven't the heart to tell the guys that they pay just as much attention to all the other patients.)

Once they have their remaining stitches out I am sure the first thing both of them will do is head to the bathroom and have a shower.
I know that they are really looking forward to coming home and with 9 days left, we already have begun to count down. When we leave, which will be around midnight the night before, we all said that both Allan and Eric will walk out of here. So at the main door, if they are being wheeled out, or walking with sticks, both will ditch their aids and walk through the doors unaided.

Enjoying the view from the 3rd floor

Look ma, no supports

Afternoon Delights

Monday 9 June 2014: Local Time 22.45

Just some pictures of this afternoon's activities.
Allan has decided to use his walking sticks and is doing well. Although he has a slight infection on his left leg, but the docs say there is nothing to be concerned about. They have cleaned the infection and replaced the dressing.
This afternoon the temperature outside has dropped off quite a bit and therewas even a slight breeze. Eric decided to take a walk out onto the balcony and sit in the fresh air for a while. It has been over two weeks since he last saw the sun or felt a breeze from the wind and I think he really enjoyed it.

On the walking sticks now

With Khushboo, who's always there to
lend a hand

Chilling in the open.

Worldwide Audience

Monday 9 June 2014: Local Time 15.44

Just a quick update: the guys are doing well and have begun to walk around the block using just their walking sticks as support. Eric still has stitches in his right leg, as they felt it still needed a little time to heal properly. They should be coming out tomorrow. There is still a long road ahead for them, as they have to relearn how to walk without the aid of any support, but the will is there and the spirit strong.

I often go and check the stats that Blogger have on the page to see who has visited our blog. Whether anyone is reading them we can't tell, other than the comments we read and the people we speak to. Regardless though, to date the blog has had over 860 views since we started; the most coming from India and Zimbabwe. (And before you ask, I have turned off the feature that tracks myself going onto the site. If that were the case there would be 800 and plenty views.)
So to all the visitors around the world we say thank you and hello.

India; Zimbabwe; South Africa; USA; Australia; Russia; UK; Germany; Singapore; Kuwait; Canada; Ukraine; Sweden; Cambodia; New Zealand.

Stitches Out

Sunday 8 June 2014: Local Time 11.00am

Today is the day that the stitches were removed and both boys are healing extremely well. Besides the fact that they are on the mend, I think what appeals to both Eric and Allan the most is that they will be able to take a shower in 2 days time. The past two weeks they have been given sponge baths every morning by the orderlies, first in bed and then in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet. Well that time has come to an end and soon they will have to stand on their own two feet, literally!

Below is a picture of the spare parts they have had installed in their bodies. We thought we would take a photo to show everyone as we wont be bringing the boxes back with us. (Knowing ZIMRA, {Zimbabwe Tax Revenue Organisation} they will probably charge us import duties for bringing in new equipment.) It's not as if we are not going to declare it either. Both Allan and Eric will want to tell the world about their new knees, so be prepared to hear the whole adventure we have had here in India.

Checking out the little manuals with each part

These are the spare part boxes. Available on the shelf at your
 nearest parts store, between CV joints and Axle Bearings.

More of outside

Saturday 7th June 2014: Local Time 22.08

Decided to take a trip out and walk around and take some pictures. Thought you might be getting bored of indoor pictures of the guys getting better and walking like troopers.

This guy flew right past, pointed and clicked. Luckily I got him

Playing with me ducking and diving in and out of the scrub

We often watch this flame from the corridor

Sunset and flame

Walking without Splints

Saturday 7th June 2014: Local Time 17:25

Today was another uneventful day, the two boys did their exercises and routine stretching. They now sit up in bed more regularly, more for a change of view but also to give their backs a breather. Both are now able to sleep on their sides, instead of being stuck on their back the whole day. Which brings a little relief to Eric and myself as Allan is the world champion snorer and he manages to fall asleep in 5 seconds flat. Right now he is asleep on his side and we cannot hear a peep out of him. Utter bliss!

After another round with the physio, both boys went for a walk and just outside the door they were told to take off their splints. Just after that, with the assurance of their surgeon, both walked a little way without splints or their walkers. As told to them, it's more about confidence rather than ability. Apologies for no pictures of this momentous occasion but I left the camera in the room. At this rate I think my job as cameraman is in serious jeopardy. God forbid they read this blog.
Anyway we will post photos of the "freestylers" at a later date. Even if we have to set the whole scene up. The magic of special effects.

Auditorium

Friday 6 June 2014: Local Time 15.14

After a relatively quiet day, when all in the land was at peace, we thought it would be a no news day.
Perish the thought!
In comes Khushboo Shukla, our ever present and pleasant Senior International Coordinator and whips me down to the auditorium at the lower floor, to watch a presentation on cosmetic surgery.
At first I thought it was going to be a nice movie to watch. I was waiting for popcorn and Pepsi to arrive so I could sit back and watch an epic Bollywood feature film. Alas, no!
It was interesting though, a presentation of all sorts of procedures from acne scar removal, breast implants or reductions, hair transplants and even Rhinoplasty (nose jobs).

On the health front, both Eric and Allan are doing well and everyday we see a little improvement in both. Just what the surgeons and doctors predicted. They are being worked by the physio, who takes a no nonsense approach or lip from them, to ensure that they stay on course to full fitness.

Right now everyone is enjoying their afternoon tea. Something we have all become very fond of. I have noticed that from around 3pm we all start getting fidgety. The price of addiction.

Pip pip, cheerio old boy!

A mouthful of biscuit

The auditorium, very snazzy.

Listening to the lecture on cosmetic surgery

View from Outside

Thursday 5 June 2014: Local Time 19.22

With the onset of cabin fever beginning to surface, I thought it would be a good idea to go outside and walk down some of the roads we can see from our window. The heat was intense, but to be honest, not as bad as I thought it would be. Although while out there one of the first things that popped into my mind was "Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Noonday Sun".
Luckily I saw no mad dogs, I am not an Englishman and it was 4:30 in the afternoon. So all was good.
It was a pleasant walk and even managed to break a sweat, which was part of the plan from the beginning.

Hospital entrance

Even the cobras get respect. Respect!

Back view of the hospital. Looks like it right in the middle
of a wildlife park

Back road leading to the hospital. Honestly this looks like
it could be in Zimbabwe

Liked the door so thought I would try a little
creative photography.

Translate Feature

Thursday 6 June 2014: Local Time 09:05

Morning all, while playing with the features on this blog I managed to find the translate button (situated just below the main heading of the blog). It gives a wide range of languages thanks to Google Translate and should give those not fluent in English (or this type of rubbish I write), a good understanding of what is being said. I know translation software is not the best in the world, but they do help a little.
I translated the blog into Gujarati and Hindi and asked our assistants to read to see if they understood, and they did. So there you have it.
You are welcome!
તમે તમારું સ્વાગત છે
आपका स्वागत है
Sie sind herzlich eingeladen
Jy is welkom
Wamukelekile
Du är välkommen

Surprise Birthday Bash

Wednesday 4 June 2014: Local Time 14.35

Just when we thought the spoiling was over, the staff at the hospital pulled a clandestine mission and set up the cafe area as an impromptu celebration. Quietly they gathered the other patients from around the floor and sat them down. Under utmost deception, both Eric and myself managed to slip out of the room to "do" other things. Allan was none the wiser.
That is until he was fetched and taken to the party reception. He was totally surprised.
Mission Accomplished!

Birthday boy

Getting ready to cut the cake

The cake

The birthday boy and his guests

A big thank you to all the staff here at Shalby, it was totally unexpected and very well received.
Allan has now gone for a walk, after speaking to his son Tony in Australia, and seems to have found some renewed energy. Personally I think it was all the sugar in the cake that did it!

81 Years Young!

Wednesday 4 June 2014: Local Time 10.10am

Today we are in the presence of a birthday boy.
So we want to wish Allan a very happy birthday, 81 years old. That's 567 in dog years, and yet only 26 in Allan years, (or so he keeps telling all the nurses and assistants).
Anyway as a treat for lunch, we have ordered him chicken and chips from the canteen.

The birthday boy!

Eric trying out his old crutches again.

Class of 2014

Tuesday 3 June 2014: Local time 16:36

As fate would have it, the moment I send off the previous post, along comes the staff to strap the boys into their supports and frog march them down to the reception area for a group photo. Once again they were greeted with a plethora of cameras and even the re-emergence of the video camera. It's a group shot of all the patients and the vibe is brilliant. Eric and Allan look a little shell shocked (all their Shakespearean training amounting to nothing). It's nice to see them all interacting. Most times we only pass them along the corridor or see them passing our room.
So without further ado, I present the Shalby Class of 2014.

Class of '14, flanked by the physios

OK Mr. Director, where do you want me to stand?

Super friendly staff

Always in safe hands

No News = Good News

Tuesday June 2014: Local time 16:06

It's a no news is good news day today. Nothing much has happened, other than both Eric and Allan have settled into their "walk around the block" routine, and we don't even have to remind or force them. They do it all out of their own accord. Around the block here is going around the entire floor of the International wing.
It is supposed to be an exercise walk but Eric always manages to stop along the way to chat to other patients. So far we have met people from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and even a couple from a little place in Africa called Zimbabwe. This morning we even had a power cut, albeit only a minute or so, which reminded us of home. I am starting to worry if "load shedding" is a contagious disease and we Zimbabweans have inadvertently infected India.
We did find out, however, that it does happen here every now and again. Whew! We are off the hook.

Road Trip To Main Shalby Hospital

Monday 2 June 2014: Local time 15:40

I got summoned to the main Shalby Hospital to meet Mr. Ravi Bhandari, CEO of Shalby Hospitals. I don't know why, but the first thing that came to my mind was "What have I done wrong now?" It was far from the reality. 

We had a very good meeting in which I explained our trip and my background in marketing. Also, I got to sell a little of Zimbabwe and how wonderful it is to visit. Shalby are looking to expand in Southern Africa and would like me to help them. I must attest they are an extremely professional organization and I don’t think it would be too difficult to promote them.

After our meeting I was shown around the main hospital and the facilities are spectacular.

One of the first places I was shown was the cosmetic surgery. Thoughts of a tummy tuck, facelift, nose job and other appendage surgery came to mind, and it must have been evident on my face because they immediately told me it is for minor surgery; chemical peels and wart removal for example. The more major stuff is still to come. Oh well, another trip it will have to be then.

I also got to meet Dr. D. Shah, Dr. V. Shah’s wife, who showed me her dental area, which was ultra modern. It looked more like something out of Star Trek, seats all along a curved window, dental surgeons buzzing around back and forth. I half expected Dr. Spock to come round the corner and give me a conundrum to solve.

Just wanted to say thanks to Gouri Sardesai and Mr. Chirag Parikh for taking me around. I know that they read this blog.

The trip there and back is something to behold. What looks like utter chaos on the road seems to be a smooth filtering of traffic streams from all directions. However, not once did I feel unsafe. If there is one thing that is essential on every vehicle in Ahmedabad, it’s a good, loud hooter.

I have driven in Bulawayo town on a Friday, and in Johannesburg , but this is nothing like I have experienced. Not even if you paid me a ₹1 million would I attempt to drive here. The driver though was brilliant, and I even complimented him that he drove like Michael Schumacher. (Just as long as he does not decide to hit the ski slopes any time soon.)

It has been an experience here, and we still have some time left to go. The boys are doing well as they exercise and go for walks around the 3^rd floor. The physio seems happy with their progress, they seem happy and I seem happy. Which should make you seem happy.

And on that happy note. Goodbye

Going through Bopal section into Shalby main.

Block of flats with plenty of road works around

Room with a view

Main Shalby Hospital

One of many shrines

Thought this was interesting at how many different things they
do. Thought I would leave in the Gujarati sign for you
connoisseurs.

I thought if anyone wanted to know about these guys go to their website www.shalby.org

Also, as our fame grows exponentially, this blog has also made it to their Facebook page - Shalby Hospital. 

The egos you all will have to deal with when we return home will be staggering.

Views from Outside

Sunday 1 June 2014: Local Time 18:45

To add spice to my carrot I decided to walk down to the front and take a camera with me. I thought some pictures from outside would add the extra motivation to get around and up and about. Both Eric and Allan have been walking around quite a bit, and most of the time out of their own accord. The signs are good.
Even Eric managed to show us his deft steps by taking a few strides with the aid of the walker. Although he did have his splints in place.
As we have become guests it is up to ourselves to ensure all medicine is taken. Last night we received two large bags filled with pills and a schedule on when and how long to take them. I have been empowered to hand the meds out and I even call myself "The Pharmacist".

Allan happy to walk now and often

Front entrance of the hospital

A little section of lawn, beautiful.

View from the bottom.