-^-for posterity-^-

i already explained what da cau was. there’s a small plastic cylinder attached to two feathers that soars through the air when it’s kicked. i’m no professional but i can hold my own.

when the afternoon heat has retreated and cooler air has taken it’s place, most of the students pour out into any available space to play. they mostly play da cau but some also play soccer, badminton, volleyball, and so on. the da cau circles are all pressed against each other. the students play until there’s no more light.

two days ago i noticed a small, folded paper airplane on my balcony. it was laying in a muddy, mosquito infested pool of water and i thought it was trash at first. i picked it up and, much to my surprise, noticed that it had writing on it. it said, “hello!!!” then had the words, “this plane is” scratched out. the words, “teacher, da cau khong?” written under the, “hello!!!” the other wing said, “hello!!!” then the phrase, “i am batman” was scratched out and the bottom said, “do you da cau?” it was all accompanied with a little picture of a shuttlecock and a foot kicking it. there was also a small picture of a bat flying to a window which i assumed was in reference to the crossed out batman line.

i thought nothing of it. a simple invitation that i wasn’t present for. no name was attached.

the next night i walked out onto my balcony to find another piece of paper lying in the same mud/mosquito pool. it said, “evening friday, teacher jon, teacher jack and me play da cau, duoc khong?” and on the other wing it said, “gui teacher jon” send to teacher jon.

so i’m bombarded with invitations to play da cau. they land on my balcony when i’m away. the only problem is they have no name.