The convoy returned with most of our urgent supplies on 17th April. We were short of everything. Dry rations were almost exhausted. We were having the same stuff day after day. It was all bland as most of the spices were also exhausted. It was a matter of survival now. We had just 2 months of rations left. The positive aspect was that everyone’s weight was under control. Many were dieting. The other stuff of daily use was also exhausted. No pens were available. We were making do with pencils. No batteries. Most of the clocks had stopped. Detergents, mops, scrubs were also getting exhausted.
All those problems have now been solved. We explored the various containers today and replenished the station supplies. All of a sudden we are flooded with all the goodies. Tastes are being rediscovered, appetites have returned. There is a buzz of excitement all around. Different varieties of pulses, sauces, cheese, spices, rasgullas, gajar and badam halwas, 10 types of namkeens and biscuits, maggi, soups, chocolates, dry fruits, jams, juices and lots more. The taste of chocolate was heavenly after 5 months of deprivation. We were each given almost 10 kg of dry fruits for the whole year- more than I would have had in my entire life. People were hogging sweets, namkeens and dry fruits by kilograms. I myself devoured half a kg cashew nuts in a few hours time. It was irresistible. But desi ghee is the toast of the station. Butter has gone out of fashion. Most of the expedition members were seen in the kitchen picking their choicest delicacies. Those who were on a diet were on the forefront of this onslaught, grumbling about their weight but having a ball nonetheless.
This is only the beginning. A lot more goodies await us when we open the other containers tomorrow- musical instruments, electronic items, new linen, sports equipment and lots lots more.
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