Hi, I am known by some as Jacket Boy. This has nothing to do with jackets, but a little to do with the fact that I am a boy
About me....I inhabit a pleasant corner of London. Herne Hill. The biggest problems people have here are coffee related. I will soon be headed to the third world. I have heard it is "inspiring", that one can "find oneself" admid opened sewers and one-legged beggars with polio. I'm convinced, seriously. Yes, I am that wonder child of the 21st century, destined to eradicate AIDS, give peace a chance and raise a muliticulatural family for a modern Britain, a different child for each race. Yes, I am a gap year student.
So far....working various shit jobs. Waiting tables, selling books, banking, best of all law clerking: wheeling trolleys for lawyers. I have proven myself indespensible to society. Nothing spells justice like a sweaty young man dropping stacks of confidential paper work on a busy (and wet) corner of Fleet Street. Banking was perversely interesting: involved calling the bank from the bank to boost phone points, bringing the bank employees closer to their end of quarter bonus. I suppose you would call it "doing customers out of call time". The pay wasn't great for criminal work. The long and short: I have amased a crap fortune, which I shall smuggle out of the country and into the hands of selected denizens of South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent.
First stop, Bombay (Mumbai, sorry India), home of Asia's largest slum. Can't wait. Then up through India to Dharamsala, down through the ganges route to Banaras (Varansi) and up into Nepal. Afterwards re-entering India, a flight from Calcutta (Kolkata, sorry once more, I can't get a hold of this Independence malaki, but it sounds great) to Bangkok, swiftly entering Cambodia. Then infiltrating Vietnam with extreme prejudice (yes, you've seen the movie too) and onto Laos. Making my way back to Bangkok, I'll journey down to Penang. After Malaysia I'll boat to Indonesia, descending to Bali for my flight back home, stopping for 24hrs in Hong Kong. All this promises to take up nearly seven months of life, from 12th Feb to 5t Sept. I shall of course learn each local dialect intimately, establish precisely nineteen orphanages, and provide fresh water to whom I choose...As a comfortable member of a liberal, affluent society of temperant weather, I am unequivocally a force for good.
So...broad rimmed hat logded firmly on head, moustache waxed to a sheen, brouges worked to a polished glint, belongings neatly wrapped in a red spotted hankerchief at the end of a stick, machete slung through a fine leather belt, a slim volume of symbolist verse sat louchly in shirt pocket, a rakish smile above a clean shaven chin...I bid all at home a fond "see you in September", my plane dispapearing from this horizon and into the next...(excuse this pretentious bilge)
Don't worry, I'll keep you posted. And no, I'm not including any moronic pictures of me with my backpack, at the aiport with mum. Sorry if you're disappointed
Jacket Boy
About Me
- ben dunant
- 'A bit common, but speaks nicely' - Tatler. 'The next Lancelot' - Der Spiegel. 'Not in the least magical' - The Daily Prophet.
3 comments:
Good Luck Ben, missing you already, thinking of what your initial impressions are, probably 'DEar God what the hell have i let myself in for.. and are those bed bugs crawling on my sleeping stuff?' .. oh and 'How the hell do i use these toilets?'but stiff upper lip cuz, smell the spicy air you will never forget and rush tomy dads if it all seems to much and take refuge. Oh also, please will you nag him to do some painting for me? lots and lots of love, solange xxxx
I hope you have a great time Ben..although it's too bad we won't see you, this is a great opportunity and I'm quite envious! Best wishes from the Great White North and will check back here to see how your trip is going!
So, Jacket Boy, you have finally left Blighty and embarked upon your travels. We, who you refused to take with you, we, who are left behind pining for you, we, who are known as The ******, wish you many great adventures and happy miles of discovery.
As a gap year student, be aware that when the voice says "Mind The Gap", it is speaking to YOU!
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