On the road again…
In 12 hours, I’ll be off again… headed to the airport at Rome, where I’m meeting a few members of my team so we can “bond” for a few weeks, while we begin to make preparations for the dig. We’ll be meeting up with the larger crew (administrative, excavational, and labratory) in Kerthoi another two and a half weeks.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen them all, so I’m getting a bit excited…
There’s Mike of course, the loud-mouthed rockstar wannabe. You can always find Mike by following the buzz of his headphones or portable stereo. With quite possibly the worst dress sense in the world, even for an archaeologist, he is great value for a laugh, and suprisingly much more talented at his job than you think he would be.
Then there is little Aisha, whose tiny frame is extremely misconcieving, considering she can work on the ground for over 16 hours. Not nearly as loud as the rest of the team, but what little comes out of her mouth is extrememly intellegent and down to earth. I’ve never heard her raise her voice, but she’s never lost an argument.
Charlie Watkins, aka, Buzz, is the character of the crew. Buzz lives on Red Bull and MnM’s (green are his favourite) and can go days at a time without sleeping. He lives for the moment- motorbike racing, skiing and his other extreme sports are right up there with oxygen. You want a job done, he’ll have it done in half the time. Tequila shots are his weakness and his eyes seem to be permenantly crinkled in them from smiling so much. But get Buzz on a bad day and you’ll see the worst temper come out.
And finally there is Lola and Jeff- the twins. Lola is a genius when it comes to skeletons, and the heart throb for most of the guys in the crew. But a feminist to the core, you’ll never see her flaunt her beauty except on a Friday night in a pair of tight jeans. Jeff is much of the same, except slightly shier than his outgoing sister. The twins are always fighting though- this is sometimes bad for business.
And thats pretty much a wrap for the my ‘inner circle’ of excavtionists. Put them all in an Italian bar or a bowling ally and you have one great Saturday night….
I’m off to pack now… until next time…
