Patrick managed to upload some pictures he had e.mailed to him. We often chat on instant messenger, it makes me smile as nine times out of ten he has been surrounded by the local children who apparently crowd round him in the internet cafe's and just stare as Patrick put it,much like his time spent in Iraq at times surrounded by the natural innocent curiousity of children though very different circumstances. I know Patrick enjoys these moments by the way he tells his stories... the warmth and laughter that comes from observing and interacting with them.
The people by his reports have made his stay memorable and made the many long bus journeys more bearable, one in particular was full of brazillians who had just won a big match over there that Patrick had gone and watched, delighted by the atmosphere.
The pictures include the bassist Frankie from the group the darkness , his brother owned the lodges where Patrick first stayed. The group has now split up, due apparently to bad sales of the last album and unfortunately, drug and mental health problems.
Im wondering where the location was for the shoot on this video, the scenery is astounding, it would be phenomenal to watch the sunrise and set in a place like this I should imagine. The other group photo was taken after a game of football on the beach.
Another is a picture of the Wamori indian village that they stayed in for a few days after cannoing up the Orinnoco. The birds remind me of flamenco's though Im not sure if that is what they are, but would I love to see these with my own eyes in flight int their natural habitat.
Its good to see Patrick look so fit, healthy and relaxed. I know from our conversations he has made many friends and exchanged many e.mail addresses on this trip, I also got the opportunity to speak on the telephone to Nicole who Patrick described as 'awesome', a local girl who took Patrick under her wing for a couple of days in St Elena, the conversation was brief but sweet non the less.
He arrives back in the UK, so much more he will have wanted to see, but a night out with his sisters in London awaits him and return to work the following week. He is unsure as to whether he will go to Norway for his winter training or be sent to Afghanistan, whichever he will have many wonderful memories to dip into now and again.
