DAY-2 HASSI MESSAOUD, ALGERIA

I am feeling really excited to write on the blog, every human being having a child like curiosity and the same is inherent in me too.Day started as usual with working hours 0600 to 1800hrs in between 2 hrs lunch break.Our work at this base is slowly nearing to an end and very hopeful that work for Insalah Gas Project will get over by maximum by Sept'09.

After the working hours indoor sports, TV and this electronic media connect me to the rest of the world.Like every other Indians I am too very much curious about Cricket and keep myself always updated onto this. Its very good that we got the paid channels in order to view the cricket. Definitely looking forward for the forthcoming T-20 world cup matches at Great Britain.

summer finally has given its knock and weather has taken a complete 180 degree and mercury already started rising.Here hot climate is completely dry not like India where heat accompanied by humidity.

Daily 20 to 30 minutes talk with the family keeps the moral boost up and the energy recharged to look forward for another day and so on.The best part of the talk is to listen the excited narrations of the whole day by the children.

And in last every day without fail before going to bed I love to write on AMITABH BACHCHAN'S (BigB's) blog. I have become really addict on writing on his blog, it gives a feeling that he is sitting next to us and listening very carefully and implement on our suggestions, we are termed EF's on his blog.

Now time to retire on the bed for a new inning of the day..a very good night... :)

DAY-1 : CAMP LIFE AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE, HASSI MESSAOUD, IN SALAH GAS PROJECT, ALGERIA

It is my 1oth month at this part of North Africa-I am working for an EPC giant whose operation office is based in UAE.Climatically its very harsh condition during winter as well as in summer mercury dips sub zero in winter and rises to extreme in summer.

Being a mechanical engineer working as a Fabrication In charge at company's Hassi Messaoud Base.

Basically I am living a life of modern nomad hopping around the globe for executing different projects.

This base is just like a jail - surrounded by high barbed wall and gate is manned by security.One has to work here for their complete cycle(70/18 or 56/18) as per the grades.All the facility is inside this compound.We are the inmates and we are paid to carry out the job with free mind but in the criminal jails inmates are not free with their conscience, this is the analytical difference between us and the criminal inmates of the jail.

Normally after the duty hours we play badminton in order to keep our self fit.There is no social life here just one has to wait for their turn to come to go on leave. And that is the moment when one feel that life has come back otherwise during work at base life is completely mechanised.

Always try to find out that what compelled to live this kind of life, away from the home country India and working in an Alien country. Is it due to the mathematics???

I always remember following quote by Albert Camus : " All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out."

Also, a quote by Abraham Lincoln I feel is very close to my thoughts~

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Now its time to drop to bed and the journey which started long back but taking shape in form of blog will continue henceforth...very good night