June 8, 2004
"Description of Camp"
by Sean McCarthy

The camp site where we live is run by a women’s group from the nearby village. There are about 20 tent sites, each with a sand pit and thatched roof. They are arranged around a larger building that serves as our mess hall, meeting area, lounging area, and anything else we can think of doing in its shade and slightly less mosquito ridden interior.

There is a small hut that the women’s group uses to prepare our meals. They feed us three meals a day, something I never got in college. The bathrooms and showers are up a pathway towards the well where all our water comes from. The showers are cold water only, but after a day of hiking in the 90° heat, a cold shower is always welcome. Never thought I’d say that!

Every night we start up our generator to recharge batteries, computers, and to light up the few light bulbs around camp. With no electronics to distract me, I’m amazed at how many books I’ve already read during our down time. If it wasn’t for TV, video games, and the internet, I’d probably be a pretty literary guy by now.

My favorite part of staying at camp doesn’t have anything to do with the facilities. But every evening when it gets dark around 6:00 (remember its winter here) the sky fills with more stars than I’ve ever seen before. I guess it’s because I grew up in the suburbs, but I don’t remember seeing the Milky Way outside the candy store. It’s gorgeous here as it stretches all the way across the sky. The first night here I saw three shooting stars in only 10 minutes. I am having trouble finding constellations because we’re in the Southern Hemisphere. I only know to look for the Southern Cross because of the Jimmy Buffett song. At least I found that one though.

The camp is a nice home away from home. I hear we’re spoiled compared to other field researchers, but I still wish Papa John’s would deliver to our area.