Day Four - Terror attacks in Mumbai

Thursday 27th November 2008

We had a few issues yesterday with the troubles in Mumbai. Fortunaltey we are some distance away from the city so we weren't in too much danger. It did have a knock on effect to the project though.

We woke up to driving rain and the news that parts of the city of Mumbai were under seige. Not great. Our team leader had been in contact with the high commission who had advised us that we were to stay in the hotel until we received further details. The rain also menat that any work on the site would be hampered. What with the sewers flooding and the rain affecting the cement to build the houses, we were pretty much helpless until both issues had been addressed.

So, what do 20 media and advertising personnel do when trapped in a hotel? Well, some of us played cards and some chilled in their rooms. Before we knew it, it was lunch time and we had been given the all clear to leave the hotel and travel within a restricted area. With a little time on our hands, I ventured to a mall. Not the ideal trip in such an amazing country but it served a purpose to get some bits. Always nice to see Macdonalds so busy .... not!!!

The best part of heading out was the trip in a tuk tuk. Imagine a waltzer car with an engine, a few inches of the ground traveling at top speed. Flippijng brilliant!! These boys know how to drive!!!

Back safely in the 'big brother house' we were all offered an henna tattoo before dinner. I went for a design up my arm that actully looks rather fabulous. Yet another amazing dinner served. The food just keeps getting better and better. It puts the rubbish we are served in the form of takeaways into perspective! All well fed and watered, it was an early night.

Day Four ... halfway there!

Wednesday 26th November 2008

Day four in India and day three of our build project.

An earlier start today as we are all keen to crack on. The weather didn't look to promising but we carried on anyway. A ll divided again into our teams and made for the site. The good thing about all of this is that people have been thrown together with others with whom they normally wouldn't be working.

Our site already had a layer of a three brick high wall around it so the land owner is obviously keen to crack on and continued after we left last night. So with no time to waste we got started. Mixing cemnet, moving breeze blocks and filling in the gaps between blocks. And before we know it we are heading to the four walls of the house.

Today has been a cracking day. I have walked around the streets and stoppped and talked with so many people. Everyone giving time and of course wanting to be on film. You only have to start filimg and before you know it you are directing a sea of children and parents who all want to wave at the screen.

I've been helping the others on different plots today. Moving 80 breeze blocks from one side of the sewer to the other. I stood on the slightly rickety stone bridge over the 'flow' so the smell wasn't too great ... or the view. Imagine Glastonbury toilets on the last day of the festival and multiply by, well, by a big number, and you probably have some sort of idea.

This house is being built next to the sewer and because of this they have to make the foundation higher. It floods in the monsoon season so can wash into the houses (and the drinking water well). The main focus of the day was watching a guy sawing down a treet next to the house. Quite impressive considering the lack of equipment they have.

Today out of all of the days we have started to get closer as a group. The overriding feeling is of excitement and a real "let's get as much done as possible before we go" attitude. I didn't realise until just before we came out here that we are the first western team to have even set foot in the slums and, better yet, to have embarked on such a project in India. Most of the projects are in the villages some distance away so we feel really honoured to have been accepted into such an amazing community.

We all left today feeling on top form (if a little tired). Tonight we have free time so have the choice to eat and do what we want. The group has divided and some of us are heading to another fabulous restaurant serving incredible food, and the others want pizza from Pizza Hut! I can have pizza back at home so won't be joining that group. I think some are fearful of disease and getting ill. I don't know when I'll be back in India so don't want to miss a thing; and to be honest I'd rather get ill knowing I have at least tried something new rather than recieved a bad dose of 'American Hot!' Still, each to their own.

Another full day tomorrow so we all really hope to see some further exciting results on the house.

I'm sure I could have said more but really, this time words cannot explain what an incredible experience this is.

Day Three - Getting Stuck In !

Tuesday 25th November 2008


So, we are now into day 2 of the build.

We got more settled into the routine of things today as the shock of the first day was behind us and the community didn't stare at us quite so much. The warm wlcome we have recieved from all of the people is great. Everyone smiling and really excited to see us ... and some even running out of their houses to speak to us. We broke off into our groups once we dropped our bags in the usual place and headed towards our individual sites. Despite the families being aware of our arrival, some of them are still getting used to a few of the groups wanting to help. One team weren't able to get onto their site as the families thought they could do a quicker and better job. It soon became apparent that we are all here to help so the barriers came down and by lunch time they were up and running and getting along nicely.

I have to say that we are really quite lucky with our family. We are working with the father of the family and the grandmother (she's takes no nonsense from anyone which is quite funny considering she is only 4' tall!!). The foundations were almost dry so we started preparing the area for bricklaying. Even though none of us have experience in building houses the language barrier causes no problems as simple hand signals and smiles seem to get things done. We are all getting on as a team and there are some real laughs most of the day.

As I seem to be the main cameraman, I am spending a good portion of the time hopping from site to site. I actually quite like it as I can see first hand how much the teams are steaming ahead with the builds.

I think yesterday was one of the most emotional for the teams. What with jet lag, tiredness and the reality of working in an environment that is something quite extraordinary (I can't think of a stronger word but it blows your mind if you stand and look for too long!) we were a little snappy to say the least. So, a quieter vibe amongst us. I think there were a few thinking "what the hell am I doing here?!!!" The fact that construction was properly underway for most meant that all of this was quickly put to one side and the real job could start.

Mind you, I say that ...

Unfortunatley one team had been asigned to a plot that had undiscovered asbestos on it so had to be diverted to help elsewhere. The day ended on a high as we could all really see what we came out here for....houses startng to take shape.

On a lighter note ... the evening's entertainment consisted of a trip into the city centre.

Dirty, buzzing, busy!

Flipping great. I absolutely love it!!