Hi everyone.
It has been a while since the last posting but we felt we
would reduce the frequency of posts a little, once every 2 or 3 weeks perhaps,
unless events occurred that we wanted to fill you all in on sooner.
So what has been happening? We have added to our resident
collection of animals with a really cute lizard. He seems to spend most of his
time on the tree trunk and does not mind too much if we come up for a visit and
a look. The frogs are taking up residence in our bathroom and luckily Emma has
not noticed their regular visits but Sarah and I tend to have animated chats
with them when we have our showers. They don’t seem to mind our presence too
much. It’s fine as long as they don’t
jump on us.
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| Poya day training lead by Alex |
On the 24th of May we had another Poya training
day for the staff. Poya days are
Buddhist festivals based on the lunar calendar and occur every full moon. Even
though this area is predominantly Hindu. While students are not at school staff meet for
professional development activities. This one was significant as it was the
first run by Principal Alex. The main focus was school direction. Jacinta and I
also presented a session.
The next day we went to a wedding of 2 of our staff. Again
Jacinta looked beautiful in a new Sari obtained for the occasion. It was a
Christian wedding (we still have not been to a Hindu one yet, hope we get the
chance). Weddings here are very different to home. They are very formal affairs
and it gives the appearance that people are not really there to have fun but to
be witnesses to the occasion. Having photos taken is the big feature of the
after wedding events.
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| Jacinta in her new Sari. |
The bride and groom rarely smile in these formal photos but
that is easy to understand as they would be really hot and after the 300th
photo even this special day would tend to pale for them I think. Attached are
photos of the school staff, as you can see the Saris’ are lovely and the ladies
seem to go all out when dressing for weddings.
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| Our handsome male staff |
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| Our beautiful ladies on staff |
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| One of the Poya displays |
Later that day we went into Jaffna to see displays and
processions for the Poya day. This particular full moon in May had special
significance for Buddhists as it is representative of the time that the Buddha
obtained enlightenment. The army put this particular display on in Jaffna.
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| Lots of people came out to see the spectacle |
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| Traditional dancing |
Several thousands of people turned out and it was
a shoulder to shoulder crush with hands firmly on wallet and camera and trying
not to have the kids and Jacinta swept away in the human river.
On the 31st of May I pulled ranks and invited myself to go on a school excursion with the 5+ classes (this is Emma’s year group). We went to the real Jaffna markets which was an experience to be sure. We thought the markets in Hospital road were the main markets and always felt a little disappointed when we went there. There were not as big as I would have expected for a major centre and there was not a really big variety and prices were high. These markets were on a whole different level. They were HUGE!!!! I hope Emma got the same sensation as I did. It was a riot of colours and sounds and smells that I have never come across and was a fantastic experience.
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| All excited kids getting ready for excursion |
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| Outside the Pallay markets |
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| The markets were huge!. Emma in centre of student group inspecting the goods |
We then visited the Nullar temple, a pit stop at the Rio ice-cream parlour (the 50 or so 5 year olds loved that!), the Jaffna library and Post office. A good day was had by all.
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| Icecream...yum!!!! |
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| Miss Arani, Emma's 5+ teacher, directing traffic outside Jaffna Library. Emma just loves Miss Arani! |
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| Students outside Library, a beautiful building lovingly being restored after damage |
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| Emma posting letter at the Post office, it arrived at school the next day. Emma was thrilled |
The family drove into
Jaffna today at the markets visited on Emma’s excursion to do our weekly vege
shop and we got great value and good quality food. We picked up a huge supply
of fruit and veges’ for about $8 Australian. As foreigners we will always pay
more than locals, (I have heard it referred to as the “white” tax) but still a
lot better than we normally pay.
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| The procession down the street to the YMCA |
Yesterday we went to the Navaly YMCA again for a special event.
A group of high school students from Singapore were on a Sri Lankan tour and
were visiting Jaffna. There was a big parade down the local street to the YMCA centre
where they were then treated to a concert by the local children and Jacinta and
I ran a few activities with songs and games. I was a great event and we always
enjoy our visits to this group of wonderful locals.
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| They go all out when the have events to host |
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| Some of the most beautiful children who took part in the procession |
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| Singapore students mixing with the kids from Navaly |
The other big event since last we wrote. I went down to
Colombo with Principal Alex by bus on Tuesday evening to see if we could get
our visas sorted as they were due to expire in a couple of weeks. Again, and I
do not use the phrase lightly, WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! Even though it is only 350
km it is a 9 hour plus bus ride. The seat was a surplus Spanish Inquisition
torture device and the driver quite possibly a frustrated formula one racing
driver but almost certainly harbours suicidal tendencies. All topped off with
loud, extremely violent Indian movies and Indian music blaring through the bus
speakers (possibly used to keep the driver awake). Getting out at midnight to
go through the army checkpoint is also a highlight not to be missed! We have
certainly found out that God moves in mysterious way and the outcome was better
than we hoped for. We are now the proud holders of Resident Guest Visas
(replacing our Tourist Visas) which are now valid till the 25th of December
this year, well after our scheduled departure date of 26th of
November. This is a big load off our minds and we can now focus on the work
ahead.
Another wonderful surprise. You may remember in a previous
blog that I mentioned our contact with the Springvale Uniting Church who
donated Hymn books to a local Methodist Church? We recently received an email
from their Minister that money from a regular church stall has been kindly
donated by the parishioners. This was incredibly generous of them and with
their permission we will be using the funds to purchase resources for the
students and staff at A.I.S.
Finally, for those wondering at the title of this blog “12513167”?
As much as it annoys Jacinta, I like to
mark off significant points for our time here. This Wednesday, the 12/5/13 is
the 167th day we have been in Sri Lanka. This day marks the halfway
point in this amazing experience for all of us. We look back on the changes in
all our lives and what we have achieved to date, and we also look forward to
the things we can still accomplish with these wonderful people. We are excited
about what the future still holds for us.
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| Emma and her new best friend, Asha, Principal Alex's daughter |
Take care everyone and please keep in touch
