S.U.R.V.I.V.O.R: Une expédition à Pegasus

The 22nd November 2007 !! The most awaited day as this is my first team outing from Thomson. We, the QA department had had an opportunity to undergo OB programs conducted by Pegasus Institute For Excellence.They conduct outwards-bound training on team work, building self confidence ,help members to realise the importance of taking initiative. It was not an usual class room program but involved majorily outward activities.No wonder , my friend and I had big time plans to enjoy ourselves to the max and we choosed this day that was convinient for both of us.It was a two day trip that required us to have an over night stay there.Some of my team people who had been there in previous slot informed us never to miss on this as it was lot of fun ! So planning went on what to wear, what to be carried !! We were so excited about this trip ! It was thrilling experience for us..! We would be staying together for a day which is the first time..! But just with 5 days for the trip, I wasnt keeping well!! I was sure I wouldnt be able to make it...!! Thank God I was back to normal on Wednesday and was a big releif ! We left office at 6.15 by bus. We were 34 of us from various QA departments .We hardly knew many of them though some were from the same building as I was ! Riding along the slow moving traffic was too boring ! But after Jagguar the traffic wasnt much and we were having a fine drive..!!

It was 8 Pm and we were already hungry ! We planned for so many things for the travel except food..!! We havent even carried water bottles..!! We chatted and forgot that we were hungry !! Add to it , started the fun ride..!! One neednt go to any Disney lands and Fun lands! All fun can be enjoyed in Dodaballapur Road !! The roads were so bumpy ..Lots of pot·holes .!! There was no roads absolutely..!! And we were sitting right in front seat of the van and for me it was like watching a horror movie..!!After a diversion from the main road, we thought the roads would get better but it was worser as we drove towards our destination.!! There was absolutely no human soul around.. completely dark and it was a wonderful scene to watch the moon and the stars so very clear !! And I did enjoy the fun ride..!! There were some close cutting curves that made me jump off my seat inspite of me holding the handle..!! And shree would help me to put myself back to seat !! And it was so much fun whenever the mission team sees any bumps all of us start screaming AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!! More of laughther than actual fear !! Any light object we see ; we assume that we have reached our place..!! And finally it wouldnt be that place at all !! Ahh !! Finally we reached Pegasus at 9.30 Pm..There was a nice welcome from the people of the institute.We were shown our tents.!! I was so thrilled staying at tent houses as I have never been !! 8 people need to occupy a tent..! Ours was an big nice tent that accomodated windows and doors.!!After a quick refreshment we went to have dinner! And speaking about the weather, it was too cold and I could feel the dew showering on my head! The dinning area was an open space !! It was so good to have a dinner with the beautiful moon up in the sky and the silence of the night! The food was well cooked and good to see they used natural sources for steaming and cooking of the food. Meanwhile the camp fire was also lit and we had took warmth from the fire.And after dinner I started off clicking photos.My long time desire to click the fire with its intense rage and finally achieved it!! And I felt proud when many people liked and appreciated the snap of the fire .!! Back to tent, we were so tired and went into a deep sleep...with the silence of night, the sound of the dew showering the tent..The sound of insects !! Wonderful ! Not to mention, the weather was so cold , I wore my jacket and 2 blankets! We planned to get up early the next day, at 5.30 as we wanted to take a early morning walk.

As planned we woke up 5.30 and stepped out of our tent!! Ahha haaa It was so chill out there..!! Just couldnt bear the cold .. but it was wonderful to wake up in a cold morning , hearing the chirping of the birds!! We refreshed and got ready for the walk..! It was 6.00 am by then, coffee was served (!) and rusks too . After the nice cup of coffee, we set out for the walk in the fields !! The place was amazingly too good..! Nice to watch the foggy mountains and the plants that were wet with dew! And my photo experiments started here. Clicked every possible scene that was captivating my eyes..!! Moving further we got to see some beautiful lavendar flowers . We came across the outward activity area with pendulum tyre swings and hurdles.. We posed with crazy ( !! ) actions..It was absolute fun..!! It was like finding an oasis in desserts .!! :-D . It was great fun to do such things..and top it all the crazy poses ! And then we came across a farm that nutured Gooseberry ,Sapodilla and Gauva's.!! The gooseberry tasted awesome and so nice to eat them with the dew on the fruit..!! Very pure and Heavenly ..!! Well , I did pluck some Gauva's.. :-D, which we arent supposed to...!! After a good walk around, we came across an open farm.. with mountains and the sun slowly rising and battling to show its rays through the foggy atmosphere..!! It was wonderful scenary I witnessed and photographed it .!!

With the photography done, we walked to the breakfast hall .Waited for us were Hot Idlis, vada, Sambar and chutney.Also were sweet papayas and coffee/Tea/Milk.. Ate some idlis and vadas and a bowl full of papayas..!! Seems to be perfect breakfast.After the breakfast we were taken to the activity area ..! The place had a meduim sized thached room to accomadate all of us.! We were introduced to two trainers, both of them from the Defence background. They introduced themselves and about Pegasus and what they do to build up a good team.! Every activity they make us do, reflects a necessary quality of a good team.. -time management, Team Cooridnation, Good Communication ! After the talks started self introduction from all of us..!!

Later we started off with the first activity , "The Acid Lake" .The group was divided into 4 temas.The action invovles the team to exit from an acid factory after an acid leakage occurs. All we have is 3 drums and 2 wooden planks with us to exit .We need to cross over using the drums and planks.. A foot on the ground is not permissable, as the acid had been leaked. We the Team A came up with a strategy to exit the place..The distance to exit is about 5 feet. Successfully we did come out with the allotted time..! And after all teams finished the exit.. We again gathered and had a after-talk .What took a team to accomplish the task on time and what a team lacked when they couldnt finish on time. !! The process focus would be on understanding team dynamics.After a short break we started with yet another game..," Cross Over " A few bricks on the ground and the four teams had to cross over from one end to another with all team on the board at a time.. There were several specifications in crossing over..!! Inititally no team were able to cross over... Then .. planning for a while.. we were able to do it..!!The process focus was on strategising, sharing and optimisation of resource utilisation, coordination and collaboration. It all seemed too easy when we were given the instructions.. but with too people and options, I really got to know the difficulty in making a decision and sticking to it .! This was a really nice one..!!

By then it was past lunch , we went back to the dinning area.We had a good meal and some relaxation..!! Back again to the ground.. with a another acitivity... Some thing that refelects the time managemnt and communication...!! While this got over at 4.30 it was time for us to pack and leave to Bangalore..!! With the closing talks.. we left our activity area and went back to our tents.. packed .. clicked some snaps.. :-)) and prepared to leave !! On our way back... it was sunset time.. And it was a awesome moment to see the sunset... hiding behind the mountains ..spreading its rays.. Bright orange..!! Best moment..!! I desperately wanted to click it.. But as we were in a moving vechile I couldnt get the shots correctly..!! :-( ..!!

The return journey was nice...!! It was weird to get back to the hustle life... Traffic, Pollution...!!!!!!!! One whole day... I was away from mobiles .. TV..Pollution.. the busy life...!! It was a good break for me..!! I too desire a place like I had been for a days trip... The open feilds.. No TV.. freshness in the air.... mountains around.. Cattles around .. fresh fruits.. Watching the moon and counting the stars , breathing a dust free air !! Could be a crazy fantasy ..But nevertherles... The best we can do is to enjoy the nature... Admire them.. Protect and preserve the beauty of its being..!! Inside all of us is a desire to escape from all this... but somehow we are unable to move away from it..!! We have addicted to this way of life.. forget we like it or not..!! And its not so easy for ourselfes to be deprived of this monotonous luxury life ..a comfortable life, we assume we are leading..!!

~~ Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere. - Pascal

GALLERY :

The Fire place we had dinner...!!