Week 0: Laying the Basic Infrastructure

I'll just number the weeks starting from zero. I thought this convention makes a lot of sense since week 1 marks the first week where we start working at the rural school. :) Also, I notice that David has been posting blog entries that provide an account of the situation from a somewhat rose-tinted pair of lenses (IMHO), so I shall attempt to be the countervailing voice. :)

Week 0 (May 27 to June 2) is mostly settling-in for us at the farmhouse. We used this time to sort out the basic infrastructure that we usually take for granted in the developed world: setting up a Wi-Fi Internet network, seeing the installation of an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system, arranging for the regular shipment of safe drinking water, etc.

Although I have to point out that we continue to be plagued with power outages on a daily basis. There is a cache of candles and matchsticks that David enjoys tinkering with. :) There was also a time when the Internet hubs at the service provider's were down, but thank goodness they have been working fairly well for the past week. It puts a damper on work and morale each time basic infrastructure fails...

In previous fieldwork, we had eaten out for most of our meals. This was another major damper on efficiency, given the long (IMHO) waiting and transport times. This time, there is a cook at the farmhouse who prepares our meals, which makes it possible to improve efficiency. However, I should also point out that there is room for improvement in the meal hours, and we are working on these aspects.

On Friday, we paid a courtesy visit to the Block Education Officer and teaching staff at the rural school where we'll be conducting this summer's fieldwork to thank them for their support. After presenting with the "thank you" letters from my thesis advisor, everything is set for the remaining 10 weeks. :)