Return to Mysore

Well, I survived 19 days of granite-carrying, communal living, rice bag eating and anti-poaching camp building, and returned to Mysore yesterday which was a bit of a shock to the system to say the least.

It was great to see the other project managers and Fieldbase staff, but stressful to feel catapaulted back into rules and regulations and Fieldbase life, rather than directing our own group and pace of events. Particularly stressful since the first thing we had to do was to take our Alpha group to Mysore for shopping, where we tried to find the group saris, tinned mackerel, tuna, coke, crisps, cosmetics, moisturiser, a barber, Pizza Hut and a camera shop in the space of 2.5 hours whilst trying not to lose anyone underneath the wheels of a rickshaw!

We went back to Fieldbase to write reports and debrief, before 21 hours of freedom away from the venturers commenced at 6pm. However, one staff meeting and more report writing later, fellow project manager Zoe and I had had enough so made a quick getaway to a nearby hotel for a bit of peace and quiet and some decent sleep.

Somewhat hilariously, the receptionist was intent on saving us money by putting us into a twin room, but we managed to persuade him that we needed personal space (especially Zoe, who has had to tolerate 19 nights of my snoring whilst out on project site!).

One safely ensconsed into our respective cocoons - nice clean neutral hotel rooms with a/c - I treated myself to my first proper shower (i.e. with shower head rather than a bucket) of 5 weeks - there was hot water to boot! - as well as a herbal ginger tea to remind me of our project site and accommodation and the amazing setting there.

Had a blissful 8 hours of air-conditioned sleep (and no getting told of for snoring), a lovely breakfast and proper coffee, before returning to fieldbase in a rickshaw this morning. I then went up to the Windflower Spa (hotel next to fieldbase) for a full body massage - more hilarity ensued with head-slapping, boob kneading and getting put into a steamy box with only my head sticking out like a turtle! Felt like a greasy chicken by the end, but it was incredibly relaxing. I'm now getting in some more personal time in the business centre, where I'm checking my email, doing a few work-related items and updating my blog before the madness recommences at 3.30pm this afternoon at Fieldbase.

I'm missing the tranquility, fresh air, views, rangers and Sita the dog from the environmental phase. Maybe not carrying granite up a hill though! I'll write up my diary from project phase 1 in a moment - watch this space!