Hong Kong University crew arrived yesterday. All five of them! They are a lot of fun although jet lag and a ‘tight’ drive 20 miles into the Rain forest followed by a small boat ride keeps them pretty subdued the first day. Afternoon spent ‘getting acquainted’ and familiarization with the landscape, the dogs, the sleeping arrangements and the shower rule: “If you hear the pump come on, that is fine. That is what it is there for. If you hear it twice while taking the same shower, you have been in too long and we’re coming in to get you!”

Typically the students find the first day fascinating even though we do nothing but what is described above and eat. They are remarking on the clean air, the lack of people and the ‘beauty of the surroundings’. The real test is after the first night in the boat shed (girls) or the tent (boys). If they are up early, it was not a good night. If they show up just before noon, it was good. Getting a long sleep in their lives is a rare thing and I, especially, encourage it as it allows me to sleep in, too.

Of course, they brought presents. That is nice. Very considerate. But, this time, they brought extra presents sent from previous years students. Pictures and letters indicating how everyone was doing. It was good. Quite touching, in fact.

We’ll likely start them out in similar fashion as previously; a bit of log hauling, wood-chopping and then sea food gathering followed by dinner preparation and a bit of conversation regarding their lives, our lives and the world in general. We try to get a lot resolved.

Most of the kids are under-muscled. Like jelly-fish, actually. Slim, soft, tender and gentle – and that is the boys! But Hazel is an exception. She lives in a dorm-cum-hostel in Hong Kong that has a lot of athletes and, to ‘stay with the crowd’, she is fit and strong. Hazel has pipes! This kid will be able to ‘do stuff’ and do it well. She actually flexed her arm muscles and there was a discernible bicep.

I was tempted to get Sally to arm wrestle her just to keep her in her place but the pride was so real, I let her continue to think that she might be the toughest chick. I wonder how this will play out….?

Only room on this rock for one tough chick!