day 7 reflection

Upon this very eve, as I commit my reflections to paper, a veritable torrent of reminiscences doth overwhelm my two remaining faculties of thought. I recall, with both mirth and a modicum of astonishment, the congenial game of billiards with our cheery Australian compatriots, whose jocund presence did lighten our spirits. How wondrous was the sensation of partaking in second‐hand tobacco, whilst seated in close proximity to dear Zaki—who, with an air of dignified nonchalance, puffed upon his shisha!

My heart was further amused beyond measure by the absurdity of the kecek dance—a most uproarious spectacle, resounding with an endless “chachachachachachachachacha chibong chibong” that did set the very air aflutter. And who could forget the hapless fellows, utterly incapable of the noble art of carrot-slicing, who met with a most undignified collapse in their endeavors? Equally, the familiar and bittersweet draught of Ruwak coffee was once more savored, each sip evoking memories both fond and fervent.

In the verdant embrace of the paddy fields, I found myself in communion with the venerable spirits of my ancestors—a rekindling of ancient ties that stirred my very soul. Not to be outdone, my comrades and I engaged in our project with such a cacophony of munting and grunting that one might deem our efforts nothing short of gloriously primitive. Verily, we partook in so much stupid shit—acts of sheer, unbridled folly—that it seemed we had known one another for an eternity.

I also had the good fortune to befriend two new golden gooner souls, whose companionship rendered our expedition an endless carnival of mirth and misadventure. Our esteemed facilitators, ever vigilant and resolute, ensured that not one among our merry band of gooners was lost to the vagaries of fate—a mercy, for some, indeed, might well have met a more dismal end.

Now, as our journey draws inexorably to its conclusion, we are poised to test the very limits of flexibility—verily, to ascertain the bendability of our dear Mr. Daryl. In summation, this sojourn hath been nothing short of splendid, and I do hereby bestow upon each and every soul present five grand and resounding booms: boom, boom, boom, boom, boooooom!