My grand plan was stood on its head. I was going to build a culvert across the storm water channel [-a number of large cement pipes had been bought in eager anticipation]. An earth-mover was to load into 2 or 3 tractor trailers, excavated dirt and rocks from near where a well had been dug; trailers would criss-cross to form the culvert and the road. Once the road was laid, the soil-block machine I had ordered from Aureka in Auroville, could be taken deep into the main land and start producing blocks. Quarters for the caretakers and an overnighter for me were to be quickly built. An electricity connection [-you need a structure before you can apply for one] would be acquired. Fencing work would be done. Well, tht will commence by April instead of January.

Well, everything must wait another 2 months. It’s peanut power at work. Thus to Lesson Three: be prepared to have your well-laid plans revised by ground realities.

On the official front, a land transfer document registered is normally returned by the Registrar in a week after endorsing it with his seal. Now in addition to the real estate boom slowing things, the scanning machine at the Registry went broke for two weeks. It took a good five weeks to receive the document [-which incidentally is required for applying for electricity connection.] Do you get the idea of how one issue goes impacting another? Lesson Four: have infinite patience.

Finally, Lesson Five: be prepared for more lessons to arrive constantly.