Showing posts with label rice field. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rice field. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Hilarity ensues

It was an adventuresome day today in Munshiganj.  Our field lab is growing by the table…


…and Ethan seems to be shrinking by inch.
 

A kid, curious about what we were up to, came over at one point and told us that I was skinny and Ethan was fat.  He said we were both strong.  I’m not so sure about any of that...




In an effort to demonstrate my ‘lean muscle’, I decided to move a table from one side of the field to another.  As is customary, I did this with the table on my head. However, as I tried to walk, my foot got stuck in the muck of the field. The soil made a tight tackle on my legs while my upper body continued its inertial direction forward – surely enhanced by the teetering table perched on my noggin. Gravity then took over: I was a stiff board, splattered into the muck, table and all.

I had some choice words. Ethan, showing great concern and compassion for the man who controls the fate of his graduate career, laughed uncontrollably and ran for the camera. The crew of onlookers also seemed to enjoy the show…

Here I am with the table, as it plots its next attack.



Monday, December 12, 2011

Crop circles, mist, and sunsets

Well, Ethan has been carrying the weight on the ol' weblog so far, so I figured I (Matt) might contribute a little.

Ethan has been working pretty hard and has taken well to our 'lab' away from home.


Below, he demonstrates his patented  sternum filtering technique, ideal for rice field sampling.


I actually spend most of my time soaking in the sun and eating samosas, but every once in a while, I try to help out...there is a lot of field 'demucking' that must be done.


Overall, we're lucky to spend our days in a beautiful place.  The flat terrain, flooded fields and tropical latitude allow for dramatic changes in lighting throughout the day, and moments of tranquility abound...