Several backpackers who travelled in Asia will perhaps relate to my story … Last May (2016), my friend and I went to the Philippines. We ended our journey on the mythical surf island of Siargao. Our local surf instructors quickly became our friends and tour guides on the island. One day, while we were in the water, they told us that tonight was The Jungle Party, a party not to be missed.
At night, we headed to the party, had a few drinks and danced a lot. The music was quite loud and the air was heavy, so my surf teacher and I went out to sit down a bit. We went to a motorcycles parking lot nearby and took a seat. I sat down on the bike without realizing that it had just been parked … Backpackers of this world know that, in Asia, the muffler of the motorcycles is bare, without protection … You guessed it, I was seated with one leg on the burning muffler of the motorcycle. Since I was a little tipsy, let’s say that my reaction time was far from being excellent. As a result, it took me at least 4 seconds to realize that a muffler was burning my leg. I got off the motorcycle in a hurry (well, the best “hurry” I could do at that time) and sought for cold water or ice…
« We ended our journey on the mythical surf island of Siargao. »
Several backpackers who travelled in Asia will perhaps relate to my story … Last May (2016), my friend and I went to the Philippines. We ended our journey on the mythical surf island of Siargao. Our local surf instructors quickly became our friends and tour guides on the island. One day, while we were in the water, they told us that tonight was The Jungle Party, a party not to be missed.
At night, we headed to the party, had a few drinks and danced a lot. The music was quite loud and the air was heavy, so my surf teacher and I went out to sit down a bit. We went to a motorcycles parking lot nearby and took a seat. I sat down on the bike without realizing that it had just been parked … Backpackers of this world know that, in Asia, the muffler of the motorcycles is bare, without protection … You guessed it, I was seated with one leg on the burning muffler of the motorcycle. Since I was a little tipsy, let’s say that my reaction time was far from being excellent. As a result, it took me at least 4 seconds to realize that a muffler was burning my leg. I got off the motorcycle in a hurry (well, the best “hurry” I could do at that time) and sought for cold water or ice…
« We ended our journey on the mythical surf island of Siargao. »
« Still, nothing was going to stop me from going to my surf sessions! I made a bandage out of sterile compresses. »
The next day, I noticed that my injury wasn’t looking too good, all hot and red and, most of all, was quite painful. I dreaded the moment when I would dive it in salt water (ouch). Still, nothing was going to stop me from going to my surf sessions! I made a bandage out of sterile compresses. Obviously, it did not resist to the salt water … Our local friends came up with a solution: secure the bandage with black duct tape. Oh yes! So, that is how my partially duct taped leg and I ended our surfing week in Siargao. Ten months later, I still have a beautiful white scar on my leg. Some backpackers have fun calling it the “Asian Tattoo”.
