Another fantastic week and hard to believe that it is nearly over. It has been challenging, tough, and emotional week for all but we have all got through it and every one has risen to the challenge. It started last Sunday with a great celebration event at CTRD with both villages trekking up to the base to give an afternoon of dance, speeches, handing out gifts, and general celebration of our achievements. Both Whiskey 1 and 2 did ten minute performances to the crowd with Beth, Rob, Ella, and Scott giving speeches to a large audience about their experience. A vibrant, colourful afternoon with everyone in their Saris and doughties with a sense of pride and satisfaction. It was certainly a proud moment and afternoon particularly with the young people that spoke which culminated in some of the group joining the Indian lads in a rendition of Chica Chica Boom Boom!!
The project work slowed down a bit but Whiskey 2 managed to complete three toilets and we have been assured the others will be completed within the next week. An opening ceremony with the villagers of Ellamana on Tuesday cutting ribbons and lighting candles with everyone being presented with flower garlands and silk scarfs. An emotional afternoon with the realisation of what we had achieved and the difference we had made really sinking in. Lots of tears followed by a lunch of Chicken and rice with the villagers. Half way through it suddenly dawned on the group that there weren’t so many chickens running around the village than the previous two weeks!!!!!!!!!!
It was hard to break up the original Whiskey 2 on Tuesday and form new Trekking Groups. On Wednesday we set off in separate coaches to out Trek. A five hour journey but some fantastic views of mountains and towns, and villages. The new Whiskey 2 Trek group had a mammoth first day walking for 12 hours up over a mountain higher than Ben Nevis. We all struggled at various times during the day and it really was a slog at times. Getting to the top was a great achievement and the views were well worth it. Once we actually reached our destination at 8.30 p.m. in the dark it waqs a great moment of relief and sense of achievement. It trully was a mammoth Trek day and we did need a day off on the second day. Due to this we changed our plans and camped at a School where we got involved in their Independence Day celebrations raising and saluting the flag, and having Breakfast. A unique experience. Following this we headed off for our Trek day. A great surge and push from the group up the mountain, cutting through undergrowth at times enabled us to reach the top in good time. We could see the end point from the top of the mountain which helped but we still had a trek to get their. It was a great walk across the top but the drop down was hard again cutting through undergrowth but once we got to the plains it was satisfying and again rewarding. A long walk in to the village rewarded by bottles of fanta and coke for the group. Unfortunately we didn’t see any big animals on the Trek but did see lots of insects and leaches which caused great entertainment!! Fantastic effort from everyone and I am sure the sense of achievement and memories will be long lasting.
Heading off on Trek
A night at camp with all 3 trek groups camping together followed by coach journey to Mysore early the next morning to Fieldbase. A brand new coach picked us up! An interesting afternoon shopping in Mysore with groups being harassed by people selling bracelets etc. Manic City with cows, tut tuts, people, very vibrant and chaotic. As a reward we were taken to Pizza Hut in the evening after we visited the Palace all lit up. Unfortunately it was raining but it looked fantastic. Pizza was lovely but most couldn’t eat it all as stomachs had shrunk and not used to the bread! The evening finished with singing and dancing with all the Pizza Hut workers joining in and a toast to the group from the Raleigh Staff.
It really has been an experience of a lifetime and a great opportunity for everyone. They should all be proud of what they have achieved and the way they have thrown themselves in to the whole project. There has naturally been some highs and lows but everyone should look back and be proud.
Mysore Palace
it was great we got all the pizza hut staff up and dancing then we did and jug downing competition (Non Alcoholic). My time in India has been unbelievable and eye opening and I deffo want to come back soon. Were all like one big family here we all get on so well its great, I’ve met some wicked people and learnt a lot.
