You'd think updating a single blog page would be easy eh? Then again maybe Im just having blond moment - either way has just taken me about 20 mintues to paste that last entry so I hope it was worth it!
This bit is about Mr Underpants - the intrepid, saggy bottomed hero of the netherworld....
Mr Underpants
It isn’t everyday that you experience a life shattering event, a moment to be remembered forever more, and that will surely have journalists queuing up round Stung Treng market to offer their thousand riel to get the inside story. On 25th November my friends, I witnessed a true super hero! Oh yes indeedy- gone are the days to fantasise of fearless men such as Superman, Spiderman or even that crazy yellow dude “Bananaman” – they are just nerdy wimpettes in the wake of (drum roll) Mr Underpants. Just the name is enough to strike terror into the hearts of the most courageous laundry.
How did I make this most amazing of discoveries I hear you ask, well fret you not undie lovers, for I shall tell you… it happened at approximately 6.40am on a cool Sunday morning near the Laos border. Quite innocently a fellow VSO volunteer and I were getting ready for a “da-leing” to the waterfalls, when we glanced up as a dark shadow was cast by a generous figure passing the window. What we witnessed resulted in both our chins hitting the floor, as it dawned on us the confident figure strutting outside the window, wearing nothing but tiny black underpants had to be the most fearless and gallant of superheroes - Mr Underpants. Recognition would have been instantaneous I’m sure, were he not trying to disguise himself with the clever addition of the towel thrown casually over his left shoulder! We did not make it into VSO for nothing though – oh no! Using our astonishing powers of astuteness we rapidly deduced we were not in the presence of any ordinary individual. We were able to see straight passed the towel, the pot belly and spectacles (lordy – how Clark Kentish!) and knew he was a man of superhuman powers.
We embarked on the trip, knowing from that point on whatever dangers awaited us; Mr Underpants would be there, using his extraordinary strength, stretchiness and powers of containment to save the day!
He’s a reserved kinda man Mr Underpants though, not willing to show off his prowess to all and sundry; preferring to keep his powers under wraps. If you watch closely though – you will see Mr Underpants is not the plain clothed, ordinary man he appears to be. Just below the surface his true identity is peeking out. Take the example of when we were trekking through the woods, danger looming perilously close, every step or flailing hand could lead to twisted ankles or painful splinters… someone stumbles, desperate she reaches out for something, anything that will save her fall. Oh help! The nearest thing materialises as a sturdy wooden branch with 3 inch spikes protruding venomously from it! But wait what’s this? With the speed of rebounding elastic Mr Underpants rushes to the scene. Not satisfied with saving this poor woman’s life he turns solemnly to the troop to warn them too “don’t grab this – it’s dangerous”.
Another time Mr Underpants pulled up to offer his firm support when a maiden in distress was having difficulty in decanting water into her drinking bottle. I was intrigued to observe that he did not take over the task; instead Mr Underpants chose to act as a buttress to the maiden – my goodness, is this facilitation I see! It is, it is! Eureka! I think I have found another suitable VSO volunteer! Let us not judge Mr Underpants on the size of his saggy briefs but welcome him into the fabric of our community – I say let there be more underpants!
