Washing Up Part Two

"HOW long does it take to do the washing up" was the question asked. Presumably, by someone who hasn't seen Explorer Scouts in action! We think we've invented a new compound of carbon and aluminium, impervious to all chemical cleaners and scourers!

So - what's been happening? Apologies for the delay since the last update, but there's been some problems setting up the Internet cafe, and it's very labourious updating this via my 'phone (it's also my excuse for some of the typos in the WE'RE HERE! update, too!).

We arrived and set up camp. We're in the Wadi sub-camp - on one side we have some Scouts from Argentina, the other Korean. Behind us are some Poles. However, none of them were here when we got here on Thursday. We arrived and dragged the stuff across the site, and then set up the tents (in the rain...). Our proto-typing at Kibblestone paid off, though, as the site layout works exceedingly well. Once the tents were up the rain stopped...

And then it was the UK Contingent Party with JK, Lamar, Liberty X (the Explorers) / an exceedingly exciting one hour talk (not) for the Leaders... It's fair to say that the Explorers seemed to have a good time!

And then Friday! Let's meet the foreign contingents! We're responsible for meeting and greeting five of them. As soon as they get here we're off! They'll be here soon...

Later that day, they still hadn't arrived... Then, mid-afternoon, the French arrive! Hurrah! Er - bonjour. Would you like a drink? Non, s'il vous plait. Oh. The French are more than capable of sorting themselves out. Then the Koreans arrive. Er - hello. Would you like a hand with your tents? Er - no thanks. The Koreans are more than capable of looking after themselves - donning particularly natty gloves for the process of putting up their very cool tents.

Eventually, about 11pm, we managed to feed the Argentines, which I think they appreciated... They certainly ate it all!

So - that was Day Two. Day Three was The Opening. We met up at the sub-camp around about 10:30, for some music and the sub-camp opening. Many many nationalities there, which was exceedingly cool. However, it is fair to say that the Macarana is not an international export! They found it all somewhat bemusing - and we're equally bemused by the Time Warp, too! And then the formal ceremony itself.

There's a vast stage set up, and it was an impressive sight with 48,000 people there. The opening part of it had the flags from the four constiuent countries of the UK represented, along with a little dance to represent each one. It's fair to say that, at home, I find all the pesky maypole dancers a pain, as they're all over the place! At least, they are according to the opening ceremony! Some of it was a bit cheesy, but the bit that brought home what the Jamboree is all about was the flags of all the participant countries being represented - over 150 of them. There are countries here that we haven't heard of. Most of the visitors were also suitably impressed by the heir to the throne (William) turning up, too. (He has a very nice helicopter!).

And now it's Sunday. We're off at 11am to Splash - the water activities day. Watch this space for more, and please do keeping adding comments - we're feeding them back to the Explorers!