The Queen’s Birthday Bash!

So if your image of volunteering is all about pit latrines, unmanageable hair, dirty feet and battles with lizards you would be slightly mistaken. Occasionally a golden envelope appears in your pigeon hole and the opportunity of a glamorous night out opens up in front of you. Now these opportunities are few and far between so when one such envelope came our way it wasn't long before the madness began. The British High Commission hold various parties throughout the year and this particular event was to celebrate the Queen's Birthday. The BHC continue to invite the VSOs  even though we have a reputation for getting far too merry and eventually collapsing in a happy heap of intoxication (well it is a free bar...) So the first job was to find a dress. After a rather stressful fitting in the tourist market (they threw in some extra hassle for free... how kind J), a fab haircut (care of Courtney) and a new pair of flip-flops (to match my dress... I know... classy as always!) I was ready to hit the town.   We arrived at the British High Commissioner's residence and were promptly greeted by the security guard by the gate. 'VSO?' he said and then waved us through. So even when we attempt to look a bit more glamorous we still stand out as grubby volunteers! (Maybe it was the flip-flops....) We shook hands with the High Commissioner as we walked in and then began walking through the crowd towards the noise that could only be coming from a bunch of volunteers. On the way I got sidetracked by a line of outstretched hands and unfortunately missed the arm of the head of a large bank in The Gambia colliding enthusiastically into Courtney, consequently sending her full glass of white wine directly into his own face, gutted I missed it! What an entrance!   Someone else who will remain nameless responded to the question 'Can you hear me at the back?' from the High Commissioner by shouting 'inter' ...... (running to the other side of the crowd)..... 'mittent' a few times which was funny! Someone else was walking around with a big British flag (not sure where they got it??) Anyway, was a great night and I just hope they invite us again! It was nice to have one night of straightened hair and make up.... oh well back to bandanas and lizard wars...