Human Tent and Christmas Stockings: Rain Poncho and Leech Socks in Borneo

 

It rains a lot in the Borneo jungle. Ordinary coats just don’t cut it like a rain poncho can. I think I purchased mine in one of those shops you find abroad that sells pretty much anything and everything (washing powder, sweets, wet weather gear, probably a garden rake or two). I thus draped myself in deliciously green plastic, the very latest in rainforest fashion. If I were a human tent, I would look like this.

Leeches like the rain. They pop out when it’s wet, seeking a snack. The best thing to do to avoid them latching onto you and having a drink at your expense (which I learned too late, but never mind) is to wear special socks with a tight weave to the fabric that cannot be penetrated by a leech’s suckers. Incidentally, leeches apparently have suckers at both end of their bodies, so does this mean that their mouths are also their bottoms?! Anyway, enough of such thoughts; for your delectation, please see a photo of my lovely leech socks. Yes, they do look like poo-coloured Christmas stockings, but they also stop your lower regions being attacked by annelids.