Most people can’t imagine sleeping next to their co-workers. But for us, it’s often just a part of our job. Some of them snore — or worse — in their sleep. But on stories like these, there’s little room to lay our heads… much less for modesty.
Our base camp is at a hotel that fortunately suffered little damage in the earthquake of January 12th. At the height of our staffing, we had 30 people staying here with only 5 rooms among us.
I’ve been one of the lucky ones to sleep in a room every night. I’ve had a steady stream of roommates: from photographers Lori Bullerdick, Eric Barnes and Mal James to correspondents Jonathan Hunt, Amy Kellogg, and Orlando Salinas. I slept in a sleeping bag in a corner at first. I later moved to a bed after I got sick and Amy Kellogg insisted I take the bed and rest up. She moved to an air mattress in the middle of the room.
Those not in rooms are sprawled out across our common area: what used to be the hotel’s restaurant and bar. There’s a sleeping bag in front of the bar, in two of four corners and across banquette benches. And no one is complaining.