Other china pics

The leprosy science meetings have concluded (one pic below). It was very good to hear everyone’s presentations about what leprosy research is being done in their countries and then to discuss what can and should be done in coordination with each other next. Answers we find in research need to be applicable to many different countries – which means not only different cultural contexts but different genetic backgrounds (which affects immunology). We had representatives from many involved: India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Columbia, Brazil, Philippines, Korea, Japan, Thailand, USA, China, Nepal, UK, Netherlands. Several represented Leprosy Mission sites. Netherlands Leprosy Relief provided the funding to support the meeting and discussions (formally called IDEAL: the Initiative for Diagnostic and Epidemiologic Assays for Leprosy). Unfortunately, our Bangladeshi colleagues had visa issues at the last were unable to attend. In the evening, we had dinner together at a famous dumpling house, which were something like Nepali momos. There was a crew that could be seen through a glass window preparing the dumplings. They had many varieties, including pumpkin with shrimp (pic). We had three tables of people, but I only have photos from the table where I sat. At the end of the day yesterday, Nora and I walked in a nearby park. Our hosts have planned and organized this meeting very well and we greatly appreciated their warm hospitality.