first day

Date: 24/04/2008 14:21

Woke up at 0430 as alarms started sounding on our mobiles and watches. We were 6 in a room on 3 x 2 bunk beds and the guys on top started jumping down . Soon people were pulling on their shoes and moving to mess to get tea . Tea was in a container and steel glasses were stacked on the counter . Tea was tepid and sweet and soon we were back in our room, getting ready for PT for which we assembled at 0550 . We were quickly split in groups of 15 each , allotted an instructor and we were off , jogging down the hill and going through exercises which were tough on the first day on almost all of us . Members from the armed forces did better as they were physically fitter . I did ok and was in the top 3rd . Only blemish was dropping out after 10 push ups!
Came to know during briefing that sat phone will be available in the base camp but cell phone would not work . We were divided into groups of 7 called ropes and i was made leader of rope 11. Now we are together for next 28 days . We are I.James from tamilnadu, Spandan from west bengal, kp singh and sukhbir from an adventure camping company in nainital, Pratik and Amol from maharashtra.
We have moved together in one room and are bonding ! I am the oldest of the entire group of 77 people at 39 years while the rest of my rope are 18-19 years .