Sunday, 8 July update

We set off from the collection point at the University for a day spent on the water, experiencing some white water rafting.  The bus drive took about an hour by which time the heat had set in.  Sun tan lotion was liberally but not evenly applied as was revealed later on in the day!  Indemnity forms were strictly filled in and a head count of those who were going down the river taken.  A group of 12 boys did not participate and I stayed behind in order to "supervise" them according to regulations.  So unfortunately I do not have the details of the day spent on the river, suffice to say they had enormous fun and that it was safe even for the boys who are not too confident in the water.  The day was videoed by the rafting company and raw footage is to be provided to Eliane who is documenting our trip in video footage.  All shall be revealed, in due course.

After white water rafting, boys still had energy to play on the inflatables

 
After a day in the sun with a great amount of physical activity, the people on the bus lapsed into silence after only a few minutes on the road.  We went to a local church where Selena, the conductor and founder of the Appalachian Childrens' Chorous, had prepared a feast for us.  Self-build hamburgers, homemade potato salad, baked beans and lettuce, tomato and cheese.  For pudding there was homemade choc chip and cranberry cookies and sliced watermelon.  A lively game of basketball ensued upstairs while a duel for the title of "Hamburger King" began downstairs.  Jordan Meaker managed to put away 4 hamburgers plus the other salads.  Shazi immediately rose to the challenge as did Chef ?!

The boys were picked up by their host families and the staff returned to their hotel to find it in total darkness which meant no air-conditioners!  Yin-Chu immediately found us other rooms  at a nearby Holiday Inn - a very good move!