My team was on breakfast duty bright and early on Day 4, waking up at 6:15 AM to cook a nourishing meal for everyone by 7 sharp. My teammates Louis, Loue, Chandra Mohan, and I whipped up a hearty feast. Then we headed to the site, though I had hurt my hand yesterday so couldn’t do any heavy lifting. Mama expertly checked my injury — luckily just a pinched nerve. While soaking in a salt water bath, my fellow participants offered kind help modifying my tasks so I could still contribute with just my right hand. Anirudh, Purna and others showed heartwarming care. I feel so grateful for this supportive community.
After lunch, Mariana taught us specialized architectural techniques for crafting sturdy arches, using compass tools to measure curvature and angle bags precisely. We made good progress on the doorframe and continued stacking, taking care to properly tamp each layer and embed barbed wire while the earth mixture was still pliable.
We got to leave 30 minutes early today thanks to the “one bag rule” — never leaving a site with a bag started but not wired into place. This ensures we come back to durable, reinforced walls rather than crumbling dirt.
Beyond building an incredible structure using natural principles, living at this sustainable camp has opened my eyes to eco-conscious possibilities. From recycling greywater to feeding food scraps to worms, having deep respect for resources is a valuable lesson to apply back home.
As we gathered for dinner and shared our daily gratitude, my heart swelled with thankfulness for this nurturing community and fascinating learning adventure that connects us with nature in such a profound way. I can’t wait for what Day 5 has in store!
