Well we made it. Just finished our second days work as "coolies" a title which does not at all fit us in contrast to the overwhelming efforts of the actual coolies. But hopefully our contribution is helping. So far we have helped survey the plots of land, dug trenches for the foundations, filled the trenches with rocks. This is the basic foundation for the 17"x17" concrete houses. Nearly all the building supplies are made in the RTU including the concrete doors (correct concrete doors!), bricks, windows frames, chimneys, roof tiling etc. Even the granet powder (which is used to mix with concrete, alternative to sand) is collected locally. We are living on site at the childrens village, in the guest housing. Which we must admit is very nice indeed. Two to a bedroom with its own toilet and bathroom. Showers may only be a mere bucket but at the end of the day a cold bucket of water does just the trick to refresh you from the humid air. Weather is lovely hot in mornings and cooling off later in afternoon. Our working days are:
7:00am Breakfast
8:30am Start work
12:30am Lunch
1:00-2:00 SIESTA!!
2:30pm Back to work
5:00 Knock off
6:00 Beer O'Clock
7:00 Dinner
Money goes a long way here! Picture this: Pepsi, Coke, 7up 10 rupee=AU33c (3 ruppee discount when you return the bottle!), Beer 55rupee=$1.50 (your choice of Sand Piper or Marco Polo, 3ruppee if you want the box to carry them in)
Well thats pretty much life so far. Feel free to post any questions/or messages if you feel so inclined.
Love from Callum Vass and Chris Howard
Oh yeah curry, every meal and lots of it.

Welcome to the official blog for Coolies. Stay tuned for more updates and photos from India.