What struck me was that clearly Paul had a compassionate side and was very concerned with my failure to communicate with Darren – especially the bit where I had asked if the water was clean at the river mouth and I had thought that Darren had replied, “yeah, sure”. It is not clear if he said “yeah, sure” or “yeah, for assholes” but Paul was damned sure I would not have a failure to communicate again.
The evening after the cruise he presented us with a Point It book, a very clever translation tool without words, only pictures. As I thumbed through it I quickly found the "don't swim here!" page that would have saved me from my present predicament of skin infections, weeping ears and bleeding eyes……….