Jungle and Dragons!!! And building a library...

To my knowledge, San Damiano's House Cooking is supposed to be a monthly event where we go down to the river to camp out and eat. Considering this was only my second time experiencing it, you can only conclude that it doesn't hold too much weight in the calendar and can be disposed of with the mere cross of a pen, but for the life of me I don't know why! The boys loved it, I loved it, and the mosquitoes certainly loved it! Last time, I was a late arrival, and shortly after I joined the party it began to rain- party over. This time I was there from start to finish, thoroughly enjoying the time spent with the boys, and trying desperately to prove I'm not just a city white boy who can't chop bamboo (granted, my technique needs improving). But we built some rather impressive bamboo shelters, and once we were done with the hard work, we cooked, played in the river, had a takro tournament (like football volleyball), sang and sat round the fire. It was essentially a Scout camp with a jungle backdrop, which is no bad thing. Well, apart from the mosquitoes. They were definitely a bad thing. They made sleeping difficult, then it started raining at 3 in the morning, which made sleeping nigh on impossible. That's when everyone bailed and took a long, hard 2 minute walk back to the hostel to the comfort of their own bed. 

The beginnings of a hard days work.

Some of the boys collecting giant leaves that would later become a roof.

Blue shorts- smallest and cutest 13 year old you're going to find.

The boys having some gentle fun in the river

But things turned violent and sand war ensued. It became a savage battle between the Sabah people and the illegal  Filipino immigrants. No racism here at all..   

Fortunately both Sabahans and Filipinos found some common ground on which to build up a friendship. It involved burying a helpless boy up to his neck in sand. But they all came together and worked well to give Gianfranco a delectable female physique. 

The finished product, a fine bamboo specimen!

A dead bat that we found in the bamboo. Clearly had an absolute mare.

Hey

Fearlessly handling a scorpion. James Bond eat your heart out!

The beautiful game of Takro. 

You wouldn't think so but I do actually have a tan. But stick me next to a local like this and I'm still a milk bottle. 

I'm definitely not that pale and I do still have a face. 

The next day, after not the best nights sleep, we were off to Monfort Youth training Centre for another Chinese New Year celebration (one minus the alcohol). Us San Damiano boys took our moment in the spotlight as we sang a Chinese song, so I'm now claiming I can speak a bit of Chinese without having a clue about what I'm saying. We got to witness the classic Chinese dragons (a bit more dancing that the ones in KK who essentially walked up the road) which was great to watch, and enjoyed a solid meal with a selection of meaty goods. Generally, it was a weekend well spent with our boys; precious days as our time in the hostel dwindles further- just 4 months of teaching left. 

As for our Library, I was planning to get some pictures (with me posing with my new Roald Dahl colelction which I'm immensely proud of), but it currently looks so pathetic I frankly couldn't do it. But take my word for it- we've made progress. All we need to do now is actually get a few more books so the shelves don't look quite as empty as they do now...

On stage belting out our Chinese number

I did really enjoy myself, and I took the "keep a smile on your face as you sing" very seriously

Dragon giving us a cheeky pole dance. 

I think someone shouted something offensive from the crowd. The dragon heard and spun round on the attack. It wasn't pretty.

Happy posing before the demolition of the orange.

A stunning spread- Chicken and potato curry, battered fish, green beans, chinese sausage, roast pork, and rice, but that's a given.

Two dancing dragons, one sleeping dragon. The sleeping one wasn't so entertaining.

Didn't see a staring competition on the cards but here's the proof. Intense stuff.