School Sports Day

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Today we are off to school. Our friend is a teacher and has permission from the Principal for us to visit as it is sports day.  On arrival, as a courtesy we were introduced to the Principal.  We then attended morning assembly, which is held outside.  Each week a different team of children is selected to give the assembly.  


We were shown around the classrooms and met many students.  We spent some time chatting with our friend's class who wanted to know if we had any English money we could show them.  We had a £10 note and they were amazed that it was plastic coated and could be screwed up and would bounce back to shape.  We then headed outside for lunch, which is at 10.30am!  The school day seems to be in 2 halves, the younger students in the morning and the older ones in the afternoon. We sat on the grass with some of the students who were all eager to share their food with us and take lots of selfies.

We met other members of staff during the course of the day and sat and watched the cricket.  Whilst sitting we had more selfies and were asked to 'autograph' school books. 

One group of students asked us to sing a song, so Darryl kindly obliged with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  Christine thought she had got away with it but was soon asked to sing too .... We Wish you a Merry Christmas being the song of choice!  Along with all the students we then sang Jingle Bells. We were sitting with a couple of teachers and it was let slip that they were quite good at singing...after a little persuasion they sang an extract from a traditional song for us.  Another group of students joined us and they sang a beautiful poem.


At 2pm the senior students arrived for the afternoon and came rushing over for selfies.  One girl told us she was a traditional kathakali dancer and did a beautiful dance for us.  Another girl danced to a popular bangra song. 

Whilst we sat one of the teachers asked someone to go out to a little tea stall and get us all some tea. Later a man from the school bought us more tea.

Our friend finished work at 2pm and we headed to his mates house.  We had tea and when his parents came home his mum kindly made us some delicious sweet upma.  Our friend had to go and do some work so we stayed and chatted with the family until he had finished and Christine made friends with his dog, Thomas.


Next it was shopping time.  Tomorrow we are attending the wedding of our friend's cousin and our backpacking clothes are not really suitable.  Our friend also wanted a new outfit.  The first shop we went to Darryl found the perfect, traditional kurta outfit, however they did not have it in his size.  Someone went to the warehouse to try and find one, Darryl tried different colours and designs but none were as good.  The shop said they could alter the outfit but time was limited.  Our friend tried on various jackets but none were quite right.

We decided to look elsewhere.  The next shop we found was for Christine's outfit.  It had been decided that the 3 of us would all go in navy blue. The shop assistant produced a couple of outfits, both of which were really lovely.  One a 3 piece traditional outfit (top, trousers, scarf) and the other a one piece (dress).  We settled on the one piece as this could also be worn back home.  Interestingly, although it is called a one piece, we also had to buy some leggings to go under it (although these could not be seen as the dress was full length).  It was explained this was for 'security' and it would almost be frowned upon if the leggings were not worn.

By now it was getting late and many shops were starting to close. We decided to head back to the first shop and arrange for Darryl's outfit to be altered.  However, when we arrived they produced 2 outfits in the same size and colour but with different patterns.  Darryl tried them both and one was actually slightly smaller and looked good, without any alterations required.  Our friend decided he would have the other one and was measured for the alterations.  Purchases made, we went in search of food.

We stopped off and picked up chicken biryani and ice-cream and headed home to eat supper.




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