District Conference and Baguio City

So the Friday of the District conference had come around. I woke early at 7 and pulled on my running shorts, a t-shirt (well my running top had been destroyed between mango juice at Boracay and pink die of a towel at the hot springs) and some stinking Nike's and I was good to go. I had offered for the entire team to join me on a few miles of early morning running around the cool (30c) fresh air amoung the old tall pine trees that grew all around our hotel complex. Amazingly the only person that was stupid enough to take me up on the offer was Natalie and so we set of for what I had been assured by the hotel reception team was a modest 3-4 mile oval route around the hotel and impossible for us to get lost on. We set of into the warm sunshine clutching water bottles and I have to say that it was an absolute blessing to get out and run after not having done any exercise for the last 3 weeks. At around the 30 minute mark (or 3-4 mile mark) I did have to admit to Natalie that I was lost and the oval route that had been promised as being impossible to lose had been lost. I resorted to asking locals if I was on the right route to which I got the genuine Filipino hospitality of YES - even if that means actually NO or I don't know! After over an hour of running, another bought bottle of water and much sweating, we eventually arrived at the hotel. Natalie then took this oportunity to sprint past me and arrived triumphantly at the steps to the lobby. She turned and with a big smile on her face started togloat about 'fastest runner' etc. i then took the opportunity to point out we had arrived at the wrong hotel! 5 minutes later we arrived at our actual hotel and walked in for a shower and breakfast! ;I reckon that we probably did close on to 6-7 miles so not bad for a warm up jog!!!!

The rest of the day was then taken up with cultural tours of the city with our host RC for the day on a very strict deadline as Kate insisted that we would need to be back in time for the opening of DISCON at 12 noon. This meant that we had a real quick whistle stop tour of the sights and sounds around our hotel. First of was a stop at a collection of WWII and later era war machinery and several brilliant shots of me commanding a large gun. Never let it be said that I haven't been seen with a massive weapon between my legs!

The next stop was the Military training acadamy - highlights for me being photographed every 30 seconds like I am famous and the collection of Vietnam era jets and helicopters. I am really quite geeky when it comes to fast air and these were pristine examples and it looked like they had just landed there in the last few hours.

Next was a stop at MINESHEAD which is basically a viewing platform at the top of a rocky outcrop. The view was divine and apparantly the president at some point in history used to stand at the top and hurl change at the peasants. Now when I heard this I thought it was to keep the people sweet but now writing it down I am wondering if they meant that he used to hurl small change at the peasants to drive them back or just for fun. Tbh the change that you are handed is a bit of an inconvenience at times as it doesn't actually have a great deal of value to it! Photo shots taken with all manner of tourist attractions gathered at the location including purple horses, naked men and other stuff and iut was time to move on.

The final stop was literally 5 mins and we just had time to get out and film a few frames of gangnm style outside the presidents summer house, much to the amusement of onlookers who had no idea why we were dancing around with no music.

Kate was starting to fret about getting back for the opening ceremony of the Rotary district 3780 conference so we sped back avoiding crazy jeepneys and after a quick change into suits and air hostess jackets, we all assembled in the tour bus to be conveyed to the conference centre. We were duly conveyed the 10 minute walk to the centre (two things 1. No one ever walks and 2. We always arrive in a motorcade. Of course we do, it's that kinda trip!) upon entry we were blown away by the size, scale and impressive set up of the centre. We entered proudly holding our discon passes and were shown to our VIP table at the front. There must've been in excess of 1000 people present and all turned to watch us walk through the room. Show time!!! Food was served so again no need to decide what I wanted to way and I felt like Forrest Gump in the White House.... I'll have another Dr Pepper please! The conference was duly opened and baring the technical hitch in Running the VT (stands for video tape) went well. The dancing troupe were ace and scantily dressed much to the amusement of the girls.

Thankfully we didn't stay for the full opening ceremony as we had a presentation to get ready so after a couple of hours we managed to escape and went and met up with Sally Cu and friends from midtown RC where costumes were put on, games were played and I became king of the spoons. This is because I am massively talented and skilful at shooting spoons into a glass (as well as balancing them on my nose - and getting others to do it to!) many will say I was assisted by Homer but I state if was all skill!

Back to rooms and the lap tips were fired up and work was completed. A little later it was time to get ready for the international themed night. Now I had brought my work tunic and it weighs a to and having carried it around for the last few weeks it was time to get it on and show it off. So donning my tunic and ensuring boots were spit shone and buttons were shining, I went to escort the ladies down to reception. There was no sign of Richard but tbh I have come to the conclusion that he can look after himself and often appears like the shop keeper in Mr Benn. Admiring glances and I knew it was looking sharp so we made our way to the party. The entire district were well represented and were all dressed on national dress from around the world. It quickly became clear that all clubs were entered into a fancy dress competition to see who was best dressed. Quick as a flash the rest of the team put me forward to promote the UK which the first I knew about was when the PA called my name and I had to sprint to the stage, easier said than done in a heavy wool suit in 33c heat. Much fun had it was then time for fellowship and entertainment soi watch in awe at the dancing theFilipinos pulled out of the hat! The Australians then went up to do a song involving coco nuts which went down well. Our turn and thankfully Nat pulled a Zumba routine out and after some energetic shimmying in which she almost fell out of the top she was wearing (hilarious) it went down a storm. A short end to the night as duty called and I switched to being the protection fog the girls. At around midnight, we headed home, happy and content - falling into bed.