Post 6 : Slow and Steady but race is far from over

             The slog continued through the rains and the mist and the fog. Some showers were not only untimely (so common these days) but pretty heavy too. Being where it is, sandwiched between two valleys from where strong winds rise every now and then, every second spell of rain had a look and a feel of a small thunderstorm. And when it pours, one feels as if a small cloud burst has occurred. All such acts of nature would be fascinating once we are safely indoors and are watching the fun from the safer side of a 10 mm thick glass screen. But the package becomes horrifying when you have construction work on.

                    I was once again absent when the slab of the ground floor roof was being laid. The team, however, carried on. Weather was kind and the phase went through without a hitch...

               
        Issue, however, became a bit debatable as we reached the slab stage of the first floor roof. We were already into winters and while snow was holding on and was yet to come tumbling down from the skies, the night temperature was already into negatives. In the areas like Kasol where the sun changes its track and doesn't cover many areas, no slab work is undertaken during such a season since water freezes before the cement has been set and the result is invariably a disaster. Here, at FRD, however, sun shines bright throughout the year (akin to what happens in Ladkah....sharp, bright sun that needs 50 plus SPF protection (unless you are like me!) and as per the locals, such an issue doesn't come into play here. The local knowledge is based on the fact that if a slab gets about a few hours of strong sunshine, water won't freeze well into the night and cement gets set in time. With some apprehensions and some doubts and with prayers on lips, we went for it. The second slab was laid and there was no sign of snow yet!

             We were lucky enough to have more than a fortnight of uninterrupted fair weather with sun coming down heavily on the structure and helping it get firmed up!  And at a time and moment as decided by HIM, the fun began. Winters of 2017-18, have not brought in too much of snow and yet the height and location of FRD meant a good white cover.

              

             There were a few such spells of snow and work on interiors carried on while it remained more or less white outside. The snow that came later, didn't stay for long. During the break between laying of the slab and snow, we were able to erect pillars of the second block.

        As per the revised plan, we were to have two similar blocks of three floors each with each floor having two rooms (12 in all). Now, it was revised again and the second block was now earmarked to have two floors (10 rooms in all). The third building, our cafe, was to be a single storeyed structure. Such an arrangement is likely to give a look of stepped up construction and is likely to look nice.

Two specialists were brought in after the snow to check on the slab and they passed it as OK!

continues....

Post 5- The Slog Phase

           Rains proved to be only one of the major issues for the next quarter of a year or so. The last two Kms of road is not metalled nor does it have any drainage. As a result, it caved in at places and had to be repaired and maintained regularly. Then there were issues with electricity supply and voltage (there is a low voltage, single-phase connection running through the village). Very strong winds during rains also add to the degree of difficulty since their force jolts the supports and fixtures. It was a tough slog but we kept going!!

One of the fascinations, besides killing views of Hiamlayas and weather, is a dreamy mist that rises up daily from the valley below during monsoons as well as winters. It is mystic and it is beautiful

Hardy mountain mules did what machines of various horse-powers could not do. They kept our supply lines opened and never let us down.

Slowly and steadily, tangibles began to appear on what was just a green field a few weeks ago

As part of the agreement with Roshan, locals were employed for the construction work. With the project likely to take more than an year, such an arrangement provided them with an assured income for most part of the year

Even though I kept making trips to the site regularly, I had not been present when the brick work started. They, however, kept a door frame installation pending for me to come and do it. Finally, having hung the Uniform in September 2017, I did the ritual. Seen here is our daughter, Czia.

October month was pretty sunny and though chill had set in, we were making some noticeable progress. 

           As expected, the cost was turning out to be pretty high. Almost every thing that reached the site, had to undergo at least two and , at times, three shipments. Mountain markets are not too competitive and prices are pretty steep too. Money was flowing out of our accounts at an amazing speed though the progress on the ground looked just about crawling. But these are the harsh realities of working in such areas. I, however, have a different take on this- Paradise doesn't come cheap!

                                                                     Continues!

Post 4 - Belling the Cat

            Having made up our minds about the general build plan, we set out to look for someone who could execute the project. Designs were kept simple and easy to execute since a local mason/contractor only would have suited us and a complicated design might have proved a bit too much for a native. Getting an outsider to a place, with its last-mile connectivity remaining prone to weather condition, would have been a herculean task and obviously, more expensive. Local knowledge, in any case, is irreplaceable in such a scenario.  We made a very basic cardboard model, put it into a carry bag and rushed to Jhatingri immediately on hearing the news from Anil that a good and reliable mason-cum-contractor had finally been found!

             I am a no artist or model maker but my basic approach to things in life aligns along simplicity. With the aim of making the other guy- a stranger till then- understand what we wanted, we made something like this....

A simple two or three floors design with each floor having two rooms with washrooms; roof of slates but design could be any

Yes, no doors in the model but that is how a room and a washroom set (two such sets on a floor) would broadly look like

           Roshan ji came across as a mature, thinking mason who didn't hesitate asking questions and clarifications. The good part was that his questioning gave me the confidence that he would be able to execute the project without my presence in physical terms. The icing on the cake was the fact that he stated,"Everything is ok but this project would be very cumbersome (siyapa) to complete!" Yes, with no local resources, a badly constructed road, heavy rains expected shortly and the fact that there would be delays and interruptions, that was how the project would be. I was glad he understood the issue in its totality as we sat chatting on roof of Green Himalaya cafe at Jhatingiri. Finally, I nailed him by offering a rate (per sq ft) that was too good to be ignored and he shook my hand as rain drops began to fall. Our joint site visit didn't take too long. 

            Now, it was between him and Anil bhai that things needed to be hauled up, dumped and then put to use. My role was to be of a remote mentor and, of course, a financier. 

          Rains were early (2017) and road gave up much before expected. But with some quick action, the team had been able to push the material up before wheeled traffic stopped. And then came in four legged souls...

Double handling was inevitable...trucks reach till Jhatingiri and then loads have to be transhipped

Running against the time....literally!

                       The team had done well but I could not get leave and manage to be there for the bhoomi-poojan or a similar ceremony. Having tried and having failed to wriggle out of my job (and I had just put in my papers too), I gave up. In Mahadev's land, the first Monday of Sawan was selected and go ahead was given to Anil. With local deity, Dev Pashkot's blessings and under watchful vigil of Lord Shiva, they started the work....

Anil Bhai presides as a priest.....HE doesn't really need ritualistic people; remembering Him should be enough

Har Har Mahadev!!

Roshan & Anil.....first step taken

Race now begins since dark clouds were already on top

And they did it!

                  Sawaan, after all, has its own moods. While it threatened but never seriously disturbed the proceedings on the Day 1, it was in a different mood thereafter. Some emergent solutions had to be found and that was what was done by people on ground while I sat at a distance, getting updated by hour.

It doesn't rain at Fula Ri Dhar; it pours!

Out of all the material assets on top, cement was the most vulnerable and had to be protected. The work could not have progressed without cement and this tarp did its job!

...continues....