Today was a day that consisted of, a lot of travelling and preparation and little actual 'work'. Although really, lugging equipment and travelling is a lot of hard work in itself, especially if you want to be well prepared for everything to come.
We started early this morning (Waking up at 6.30'ish in the morning) to get our last 'certain' shower in Dharam and get everything packed up to be ready to head into the hills. In the morning we met at the DPO and started organizing everything with everyone. All the equipment was already ready to be packed (we took care of that last night) and the starting packing into the vans quickly began. After lugging all the heavy metal pieces outside we started fitting all the bagage into one van and we were the ones who, faith seemed to have decided, were to go up with the luggage and arange the first hotel in Berethar. The drive up was a smooth drive, smooth and wonderfull. Really heading into the higher hilled areas of Nepal for the first time we got some beautifull sights, gorgeous landscapes, and a few interesting half landslides on the way. Especially when we drove up through the clouds and got the first big scenic pictures we couldn't do anything but just enjoy the ride up. In Berethar itself things went quite smoothly.
The hotel was easily arranged, by our Nepali speaking colleague Dhambar who'd come along, and the luggage was quickly stashed into one room. From there we had a few hours of rest up here in the hills. Packing was still going on down in Dharan and all we really had to do was, be in Berethar. After having a short drink we decided it was time to go explore Berethar. The first place we went was the Telecenter, looking around at the place we'd be setting up our 'base of operations' in. The first real thing we noticed was the humidity. Clouds were slowly drifting up hitting us full force and the place was wet and humid, an interesting challenge for the equipment for sure.
After looking around the telecenter we visited the post office, were kindly greeted by seemingly everyone in the village and got another few beautifull pictures as well as a nice view of Nepali life in a village like this. Some soldiers in the street were an interesting curio (even seeing them up here) but it really doesn't stand out all that much anymore.
About when we finished our lunch at the Himalaya hotel (what a fitting name) the rest of the equipment and people arrived. Moving to the telecenter we quickly started sorting out things. It had indeed gotten very wet and some of the equipment that had already been there needed to be dried off, furthermore we had to ensure our own equipment wouldn't run into similar problems. Obviously it should be able to withstand the humidity, but best not test it too quickly or rigorously here in the field without replacements....
Unpacking went smoothly enough, moving what we needed to to the second group (which is heading deeper into the hills) as well organizing everything. Mark took charge very well and with everyone chipping in we were actually done well before 6, earlier then expected.
The equipment all neatly sorted, plans thought out for the coming days, and wiring and such that still needed to be made taken care off, we're now ready to rock.
Nothing truly 'special' today perhaps, and yet still an exciting day. Up in the hills, everything prepared, and ready for an early night and then an early morning to actually head out and set up the first new set of telecenters and radio's tommorow.
Jos
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