Advance Party Hits the Ground Running

Our first week at Fieldbase is drawing to a close and we’re preparing to welcome the ten Project Managers (PMs) due to arrive tomorrow. We’ve been getting to know each other, learning our various roles, and enjoying some of the pleasures of India. We’re all are now more or less up to speed with our roles and are starting to do the things we’re out here to do.

The Fieldbase office - an idyllic rural environment.

Anna has been very busy sorting out the logistics (‘logs’). Yesterday and today she’s been providing entertainment by trying to erect and quality check all the tents to be used for trek training next week.

Gemma has been making sure that everything is properly documented and, more importantly, opened the Fieldbase shop yesterday. Sadly no first-day discounts but it was a treat to be able to buy chocolate, toiletries and Raleigh T-shirts.

Harry has been doing the medical one-to-one interviews and checking that we have all the medical kit needed for the next three months. Happily no casualties anywhere as yet!

Ruth has spent a studious week learning more about previous Raleigh projects in India. She’ll soon be out and about evaluating the effects they’ve had. This will provide valuable feedback to ensure that Raleigh brings real, lasting benefits to the local communities.

David has been very active taking pictures of pretty well everything we’ve seen and done so far. He also has some great ideas for videos and slideshows to add to the fun for the Venturers when they arrive.

Graham (that’s me) has been working closely with David planning presentations and the magazine and merchandise pack to serve as mementoes for all at the end of the expedition. Also, you’ll have noticed that the blog is up and running. An honourable mention at this point to Anna’s mum for posting the first comment. Thanks, and Anna looks forward to many more!

Just to remind you that you can send a message to your friends or loved ones on Expedition here by posting a comment stating the person’s name and team, and we’ll see that it reaches them as soon as possible.

On the social side, we spent a delightful evening at Theja’s parents house in Mysore. Theja is the Host Country Venturer Coordinator here. We were invited to her parents for an Indian meal to celebrate the festival of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god.

Theja welcoming us to her parents' house.

Indian hospitality at Theja's parents' house decorated for the Ganesha festival.

We spent an enjoyable afternoon in the nearby town of Mysore, visiting local suppliers and also the local market. Anna even had an opportunity to make an incense stick!

Anna being shown how to make an incense stick in Mysore market.

The VMs, Simon and Paul with a happy incense and aromatic oils trader.

We’ve had two contrasting swimming experiences. The first was in the pool of the impressive colonial style Lalitha Mahal Palace hotel in Mysore. The second was our swim test in a river not far from Fieldbase. We entered the river next to some bemused local women washing their clothes and men washing their cattle! Our Health and Safety briefing given there by Simon, the Country Expedition Manager, was the subject of earnest attention by a group of the village children.

Yesterday evening was spent playing volleyball, where a variety of talent was on show. Good for team-building if not score-building!

Lastly, some comments on what’s particularly impressed the VMs this week:

All – visit to Theja’s house for the Ganesha festival and the visit to the market

Gemma – proper beds and ‘facilities’

Ruth – hot water in the (bucket) shower

Anna – the river swim and making the incense stick

Harry – ‘proper’ tent and flushing toilet

David – the curries

Graham – the river swim


Look out for the next update when the PMs have arrived!