I had been worried for a bit about my gums (even before my India trip). One part looked strange.  I thought perhaps I needed a tooth pulled. I'm not a big fan of dentists and didn't want to deal with the issue. However, my gums are on my mind and since the prices are so low in India, I wonder about dental care costs.  Unfortunately, I didn't know of any dentists.

Enter Bob from California.  He's been coming to Pushkar since early 2000.  He was going to the hospital in Ajmer (about 15 minutes away) today and didn't mind if I joined him.  He is getting a root canal there.  He spoke so highly of the dentist and the hospital that I breathed a sigh of relief...perhaps I can address my tooth issue before it gets worse.

An Italian woman, Antonella joined us as well as another American motorcycle driver, Jay.  Off the four of us went, whizzing down the winding mountaneous roads to the Ajmer hospital.

And yes, it was modern and professional and immaculate.  And yes, the dentist immediately put us at ease.  We signed in for 70 rupees (Passport needed).  (45 Rupees = 1 US dollar)

I found out that all I needed was a teeth cleaning since my gum was infected.  Grand total 600 rupees (less than 15 US dollars).  How incredible!

There are some things about India that you just gotta love.

I'm even considering getting braces here because it's so cheap compared to America.

On another note, I spent about 3 hours seeing, practicing, and immersing myself in the world of threading.

Manish, the barber, has become my teacher.  He seems to thoroughly enjoy the role.  I've pulled hair off of most of his friends' arms and the back of their hands.  Thoroughly delightful, Manish invited me home to meet his family.  I met his 2 brothers, his parents, his wife, their daughter, a niece and a whole circle of his friends. 

The hospitality here is quite striking.

I feel blessed to be meeting the geniune spirit of the people here.  So much a contrast from the New Delhi train station experience!

Really starting to enjoy myself.