Games Fever

Picture Above: Advertisement in newspaper encouraging people to stop spitting their chewing tobacco.

The entire NCR (National Capital Region) is buzzing with the Common Wealth Games. Last Sunday evening we had a grill out party to watch the opening ceremonies and the 60,000 people that flooded to Nehru Stadium to watch the event. To the entire world's surprise the opening ceremonies were a huge success. Prince Charles even said a few words on behalf of the Queen and several other dignitaries were in the audience. Now, on the 4th day of athletic competition the criticism of the CWG in Delhi continues as food poisoning, Delhi Belly, and Dengue Fever are getting the best of several athletes. Today's headlines stated, "Over 50 England & Australia Swimmers Fall Ill." The games officials claim the water is safe, but apparently several swimmers have had to jump out of the pool in a hurry due to stomach issues. If the drinking water is not safe then I can't imagine that they have a million gallons of Aquafina in the swimming pool. The entire city is a swarm of disease in the moment. We wear bug repellent daily and have been very lucky thus far to be in good health. The strong monsoon rains this year have caused a major onset of Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Typhoid. The Dengue Fever is from a day time mosquito and the Malaria is from a night time mosquito. Luckily we are safe from Typhoid and Malaria due to shots and pills. The Dengue Fever can not be prevented 100% and deet is our only defense. Several expat friends have had Dengue and it is a full week of fever, rash, zero energy, and daily monitoring of blood platelet counts at the hospital. The platelets must stay above 100,000 before serious action occurs.

My favorite joke of the CWG:
How many Indians does it take to change a light bulb at Nehru Stadium?
1 Million...1 to screw in the light bulb and 999,999 to hold the ceiling up.
(The big joke has been that the cement used in the construction of several stadiums is not of proper standards.)

The full article on ill swimmers in Delhi is below:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Over-50-England-Australian-swimmers-sick-in-Delhi/articleshow/6706117.cms