This was the first time I stood on American soil! My destination was a mid-western city called Indianapolis. My connection with Indianapolis traces back a year ago.

 

The Association of Spine Surgeon’s of India award an advanced spine training to the candidate securing the first position in the spine fellowship exit examination. I completed my two year clinical spine fellowship in March 2014 after appearing for an examination held at Mumbai. With hard work and inspiration I secured the first position and was hence awarded by the association. I was the first non-Indian to have completed the two year clinical spine fellowship and the first non-Indian to have been awarded.

 

The focus of my advanced spine training in USA would be spine problems in children. The Indo-American Spine Alliance was responsible in arranging my American Spine Fellowship and the venue selected was Indiana University, Riley’s Children Hospital. Riley’s Children Hospital was one of the best centers in America dealing with pediatric spine problems.

 

With my air-tickets, lodging, fooding, insurance and personal expenses taken care by the Indo-American Spine Alliance, I boarded the plane from Kathmandu and arrived at Indianapolis via Qatar and Philadelphia.

 

During my stay, I never felt detached. The staffs at Riley’s were very friendly and approachable. I was very lucky to have got the opportunity to assist and scrub in the operations. I learnt many new things especially approach to patient care, communication skills and recent advances. From outpatient services, surgeries, inpatient care; I was involved in all.

 

I have always been a food lover. I indulged in plenty of burgers and fries, hot dogs, pizzas, sandwiches, bagel and pastas. However, the icing on the cake were the Pork Ribs and the Beef Stakes. Wow! An advice to all visiting America, pork ribs and steak are a must! Fruits and vegetables are costlier hence people tend to eat junk and fast food which are relatively cheaper. Because of this food habit, most of the Americans I saw were obese!

 

To witness the Indy 500 race, was an amazing experience. I have always watched Formula 1 on television and here I was bang, at the right time. Indy 500 is the American version of Formula 1 with fast cars, crashes and an energetic crowd. The revs of the engine, screech of the tyres at the pit stop definitely increased my adrenalin.

 

A month was over and I did not realize it!