Testament of an upcoming Geologist
"No phone calls, messages or contact with the outer world". A full digital detox. These were the first things that haunted me when I finally got into my professional career i.e. Masters in Earth Science. For my dear friends who don't know what Earth Science actually is, let me remind you of the famous apocalypse movie San Andreas and the beginning scene where the scientists measure the Earthquake intensity at the Hoover Dam, Yeah ring a bell? Ya, that's what some of us actually do. Since my entire Bachelors, I've been asked by half of the Humankind known to me and they completely have no idea as to what I am trying to pursue my career in. Ya, I belong to a place where people are unaware of the processes occurring all around them but no offense.
Recently I had an opportunity to speak at an open mic. It was completely new to me. Thus I started with the usual bickering that how Earth Science was a study restricted to people studying this subject. But was surprised to know how some people are so ignorant of what we actually do. Not their fault but all those ignorances are restricted to only those who wish to be on their own. No harm done. The testament here represents the 21-day journey of a field geologist and what adventure we had to go through daily.
After my bachelors, I was completely convinced that I was almost a professional and I understood the subject like no one else did but my masters had something else in store for me and I realized I wasn't even fit to be a sampler (the one who just hammers and breaks rocks)😅.
Day one started with us traveling to our campsite and setting it up making it habitable for 3 weeks before we could start. It began by fixing the electricity connections and water supply. Thanks to some of the official authorities for the shelter. And it followed keeping our room clean, fixing the everyday breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, keeping track of the groceries and whatnot. And of course the main motive of the camp- to undergo field training. Our daily schedule started by getting up at 5 in the morning. 10 people were sharing a single lavatory (just assess the stress every morning). The silver lining still was that we didn't have to go out to fulfill our daily nature call needs. I for myself being a blogger thought of maintaining a daily record of how I could survive those 21 days. Food was prepared but mess duties were provided to students and they had to look after the food cooked by the cook provided. It was the general rule of law that mess duties mean that sleep deprivation for that whole day and this aftermath was faced by every 2 students every day. Keeping things short, my day began by getting up at 4:30 even after sleeping at 12 o'clock. Feeling lonely wouldn't even justify the feeling I had in the beginning. All I could do was write how I felt and I would quote some of the feelings I had when no one was there to hear me out in the dead of the night.
The above excerpt is from my daily journal and the journaling which followed got worsened with every passing day. The field training was formal training which has been conducted by our department for many years. We used to get up have food, rush for training identify outcrops, rocks, take photographs, take samples, take GPS readings of the location as well was manually mark them on maps ( like you follow navigation we follow manual maps) cover more such spots then return to camp at about 2p.m have lunch and then make a list of all things done and update them to our system which was followed by a volleyball match. This was followed by a class session where we had to report the daily updates along with theory classes. This was then preceded by dinner and bonfire. The bonfire was followed by daily assignments which were instrumental in further decreasing our sleeping hours and the morning followed by submission of our assignment and breakfast and prayer sessions and then we were off for our training. We actually didn't even get a 5-minute breather except when we were asleep.
As days passed by initially, it was new and we felt excited as well as tired at the same time and we got used to the drill every passing day. We as millennials could not part with our phones but there we were, no obligation, but phones were no use since it was a no service area. But somehow this strengthened our bonds with each other and we actually were like a close-knit family eating together, traveling together, playing, enjoying the bonfire sessions. After two weeks of undergoing formal training, we were divided into groups and were left for group traverse where we were allotted an area of 9km square and we had to map that area completely, without any expert supervision and finally the mapping would be completed. Imagine the bounties of nature and you on your own with a bunch of likeminded people. I can surely enlist those days among the most tiring as well as the most adventurous, from traveling on foot to an unknown location with just compass and toposheets to just lying on the grass when tired, savouring fruits from trees, drinking water from the pipes providing water to the cultivated lands to searching for bridges, outcrop within forests, hills, etc. From conversating with the villagers though we had the slightest clue of what they were saying to unintentionally scare off people with our hammer compass and unusual outfit ( there was an instance when a villager left his punctured motorbike and ran away when we approached him for the route). The formal training terminated with the D Day of our adventure. The viva voce. Anticipation was high and everyone was grilled that day(grilling is the ritual every year). But the cherry on top was the night safari into the core zone areas in a nearby national park as a favor from the concerned authorities. You could actually see the animals in their natural habitat. Rabbits hopping, peacock as well as wild bears being prominent among them. That terminated our training program.
This is what we did during those 21 days. Knowingly or unknowingly we were at peace amidst nature and amidst people who were too simple and caring. I've enjoyed every inch of it and sometimes it is what we actually need to get recharged. It brings us closer to nature. A big thank you to everyone who helped. Though they have no access to technology, this blog post is dedicated to them who find it peaceful without 4g data packages, uninterrupted network, and shopping malls. Sorry for this unexpected delay. Hope I could do justice to my 7-month absence😊
Recently I had an opportunity to speak at an open mic. It was completely new to me. Thus I started with the usual bickering that how Earth Science was a study restricted to people studying this subject. But was surprised to know how some people are so ignorant of what we actually do. Not their fault but all those ignorances are restricted to only those who wish to be on their own. No harm done. The testament here represents the 21-day journey of a field geologist and what adventure we had to go through daily.
After my bachelors, I was completely convinced that I was almost a professional and I understood the subject like no one else did but my masters had something else in store for me and I realized I wasn't even fit to be a sampler (the one who just hammers and breaks rocks)😅.
Day one started with us traveling to our campsite and setting it up making it habitable for 3 weeks before we could start. It began by fixing the electricity connections and water supply. Thanks to some of the official authorities for the shelter. And it followed keeping our room clean, fixing the everyday breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, keeping track of the groceries and whatnot. And of course the main motive of the camp- to undergo field training. Our daily schedule started by getting up at 5 in the morning. 10 people were sharing a single lavatory (just assess the stress every morning). The silver lining still was that we didn't have to go out to fulfill our daily nature call needs. I for myself being a blogger thought of maintaining a daily record of how I could survive those 21 days. Food was prepared but mess duties were provided to students and they had to look after the food cooked by the cook provided. It was the general rule of law that mess duties mean that sleep deprivation for that whole day and this aftermath was faced by every 2 students every day. Keeping things short, my day began by getting up at 4:30 even after sleeping at 12 o'clock. Feeling lonely wouldn't even justify the feeling I had in the beginning. All I could do was write how I felt and I would quote some of the feelings I had when no one was there to hear me out in the dead of the night.
Day 2- 4:30am Hi its me again. Getting up this early was never ever so easy. Its damn cold here and people could die here. Breakfast is late and I am not even hungry.
11:30 a.m Getting scolded in field training even worsens the situation. Had to traverse along a river at the heat of the afternoon. The sand feels like a desert and the road is never ending. Pacing seems like an impossible task.
4p.m- Playing volley seems to be the best time in the whole day. Atleast here I ai'nt a loser and we won both sets.😇
10 p.m- Classes over and dinner served. Eating food at this chilly weather is a relief. I feel like being stuffed with warm clothes form head to toe is'nt enough. I never thought I would miss home and family so much. Its depressing and awkward at the same time. Off to bonfire see you next day.
The above excerpt is from my daily journal and the journaling which followed got worsened with every passing day. The field training was formal training which has been conducted by our department for many years. We used to get up have food, rush for training identify outcrops, rocks, take photographs, take samples, take GPS readings of the location as well was manually mark them on maps ( like you follow navigation we follow manual maps) cover more such spots then return to camp at about 2p.m have lunch and then make a list of all things done and update them to our system which was followed by a volleyball match. This was followed by a class session where we had to report the daily updates along with theory classes. This was then preceded by dinner and bonfire. The bonfire was followed by daily assignments which were instrumental in further decreasing our sleeping hours and the morning followed by submission of our assignment and breakfast and prayer sessions and then we were off for our training. We actually didn't even get a 5-minute breather except when we were asleep.As days passed by initially, it was new and we felt excited as well as tired at the same time and we got used to the drill every passing day. We as millennials could not part with our phones but there we were, no obligation, but phones were no use since it was a no service area. But somehow this strengthened our bonds with each other and we actually were like a close-knit family eating together, traveling together, playing, enjoying the bonfire sessions. After two weeks of undergoing formal training, we were divided into groups and were left for group traverse where we were allotted an area of 9km square and we had to map that area completely, without any expert supervision and finally the mapping would be completed. Imagine the bounties of nature and you on your own with a bunch of likeminded people. I can surely enlist those days among the most tiring as well as the most adventurous, from traveling on foot to an unknown location with just compass and toposheets to just lying on the grass when tired, savouring fruits from trees, drinking water from the pipes providing water to the cultivated lands to searching for bridges, outcrop within forests, hills, etc. From conversating with the villagers though we had the slightest clue of what they were saying to unintentionally scare off people with our hammer compass and unusual outfit ( there was an instance when a villager left his punctured motorbike and ran away when we approached him for the route). The formal training terminated with the D Day of our adventure. The viva voce. Anticipation was high and everyone was grilled that day(grilling is the ritual every year). But the cherry on top was the night safari into the core zone areas in a nearby national park as a favor from the concerned authorities. You could actually see the animals in their natural habitat. Rabbits hopping, peacock as well as wild bears being prominent among them. That terminated our training program.
- The inference was those 3-4 hours of sleep was enough to keep you recharged all day which cannot be compared to the 8-10 hours of sleep we get daily in cities.
- Imagine listening to insects chirping and clear starry skies instead of horn honking and polluted smog-filled skies with hardly any stars visible.
- Imagine sitting near a bonfire and talking about your life with winds blowing and deers passing by your place.
- Imagine eating unadulterated food every day which was simple yet savory after a long day.
- Imagine no text messages no phone calls but just a 2-minute conversation with family during training when you get service so that they don't panic.
- Imagine peace so sublime that you don't overthink or stay awake at night but just drift off.
This is what we did during those 21 days. Knowingly or unknowingly we were at peace amidst nature and amidst people who were too simple and caring. I've enjoyed every inch of it and sometimes it is what we actually need to get recharged. It brings us closer to nature. A big thank you to everyone who helped. Though they have no access to technology, this blog post is dedicated to them who find it peaceful without 4g data packages, uninterrupted network, and shopping malls. Sorry for this unexpected delay. Hope I could do justice to my 7-month absence😊
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