Two days without laptops

Have you ever being to a navy camp? I know when I asked that question you will get a mind picture like soldiers with  rough faces, guns ,unfamiliarity, hostile feeling, smell of gun powder and sound of boats . That is the image outer world has. But it is totally wrong. We went to the naval base at Trincomalee  for a out bound training.

We software engineers always sit in front of a computer and do coding. It is very rare that we do an outdoor activity.  We went to the naval base at about 10 O'clock. We got 1 h time to change.Then we went for lunch. All the works in there are done at sharp time.

After the lunch we ran about 1 km distance to the beach. We were grouped in to 4 groups and did various games.

  1. Go through high tension sqaure
  2.Passing a ball through pipes
  3.Filing a tube with holes with water
  4. Playing volley ball using a coat
  5.tug of war

All these games were team activities. So we were able to improve many qualities. When we do a  team activity we should have a team leader to guide us. We should listen to the team leader and follow his or her orders. But we all can discuss and express ideas. But final decision should be made by team leader. First we did not get that point. So even though navy officers appointed a leader for each group , we did not care and all participated in decision making. Some times we can survive but it is not effective.In the first game 7 out of 8 members went through the high tension wire including me.

Games like 2 and 3 really need a leader to coordinate the work. The leader had to say where to stop where to move where to slow down. The teams which had a good connection with the leader completed the task.

We enjoyed a lot through those works. Then we went to our hostels and changed. At night we had a camp fire and a variety show. We were able to show our talents. It was really fun to do those things  Then we had the dinner and called off the day.

Next day morning we went through a jungle from naval base to elephant pint. We were given th compass and go to the ending point finding the correct path. During that we faced lots of challenges. As a team we had to care about each and every body. We met a  injured soldier. As a team we had to decide what we should do. We have to protect the team ass well as the save that person. Some team members got injured. So we had to discuss and listen to the final decision of the team leader.At last we went to the targeted place. That place was so beautiful.

We rest a bit and walked to see the  naval museum. We saw how the technology used to make their weapons, boats, ships etc. We saw LTTE weapons and equipment. We got a huge knowledge. Then we had lunch.

Officers , Soldiers in the naval base helped  us a lot. They all treated us in a good manner. We enjoyed a lot.They dedicated their time and effort for us even in a  busy schedule. We were very happy to join with them to celebrate their 67th anniversary.

We gain lots of things, we were able to learn good things. We improved lots of qualities. We were very thankful for them and the miss Sarasi for organizing such a marvelous event.

You know what even though soldiers always deals with guns and rules they are humans like us. They are good hearted people who make this world a peaceful place that we can live freely. We must pay our gratitude for them.