The beginning and lots and lots of curry

The advanced staff team have made it to field base and have made ourselves at home. After an exciting drive to Mysore - passing cows in shops and various large packages on motorbikes - we arrived at field base rather jet lagged but intrigued to know what our roles would be like. We were helped through our day by curry for breakfast, curry for lunch and curry for dinner, and venturers and the remaining staff members (not to mention parents) will probably be reassured to know that field base (above) is feeling very much like a home from home already.

The team so far...

It’s already clear we’re well suited to our roles. Finance officer Claire is tackling spreadsheets “In my life, if it’s not on a spreadsheet it doesn’t get done”, medic Frankie “ooooh this anti-biotic is magic!” is sorting through the medical kits and logistics managers Andrea “I can not work in a messy area” and Mike (aka Mutley due to his laugh) are going through the kit and food in the logistics room but also rehoming a mother cat and her very new-born kittens who had nested in there. Whereas I (Alison) am telling everyone what we’re up to!

We’ve all settled in well, taking time to create a fitness regime into our busy schedules. After a quick explore around the base yesterday morning, Andrea and Frankie set up a circuit involving skipping, press-ups, sit-ups and lunges and then we had a yoga break a bit later. Then this morning we tackled the nearby Chamudi Hill and its 1,000 steps...

There’s currently a festival on in Mysore called Dasara which celebrates Hindu goddess Durga slaying a demon and therefore the triumph of good over evil. The events include elephants being dressed up, painted and paraded throughout the city (according to 60/60, one of Raleigh’s drivers, the elephants love having their make-up done!), and there’s various yoga, drama and music events. The elephants are due to parade on the 28th so the next lot of staff members can see them too. The city is heaving with locals and tourists who have flocked to the area so going into Mysore could be a bit of a baptism of fire...

Above, from top, Claire, Frankie, Mutley and Andrea, and Alison

Getting to work

In the meantime, we’re busy preparing for the next lot of staff members, who are due to arrive on Saturday 26th, and then the venturers, who arrive a couple of weeks later. There’s lots to do!

Do feel free to comment on this blog as we’re going along. Once the projects are underway, if the person you’re trying to contact is out on one of the sites, the messages will still get passed on and will be most welcome. And if there’s anything in particular you would like to know about the projects and how they’re getting on, do ask, I shall try and keep you updated as much as I can. Welcome to the beginning of our Raleigh adventures and stay tuned for the next blog in the next few days.