'Ke Garne,'
the infamous nepali phrase I will never forget,
'What to do?'
I can't begin to tell you the different sentences from our patients that often precede this simple phrase. Long drawn out, and horribly painful stories of unjust situations, told by women crying about being beaten by their husbands. Or about losing a loved one unexpectedly. Or having a terminal illness. The stories here are incredibly hard to hear and as a practitioner you sit and listen wondering what you can possibly say to console this individual. How to find the right words for someone who lives words away from your own reality back home. Right when you realize there's been a gap and a response from you is now appropriate, the patient will throw their hands up lightheartedly and say "ke garne." Your translater will then throw their arms up lightheartedly, mimicking the patient, and say "what to do."
Whew! Another impossible moment averted thanks to a simple phrase. One of my favorite people in the world pointed out how it makes perfect sense that the people of Nepal have adopted such a saying. Due to the history and conditions of this country, what else is there to say really?
It is the year 2069, after all! Many of us joke that this experience is a little glimpse into what our western world may be like in the year 2069. A post-apocalyptic, ravaged country with power shortages, pollution build up leading to burning trash in the streets, smog filled skies, lines for local water, overpopulated and chaotic busy cities overcome with critters and stray ragged dogs, a farming culture for survival and religion. If the 'west' were to continue in the same trajectory, I don't believe our little group joke is totally out of the question.
Some lasting images embedded in my mind:
finding goods at the local dump
basic means to eating
washing clothing
toilet
water lines
firewood
critters picking through trash
KE GARNE
No comments:
Post a Comment