First school visit

We started the day off with a traditional Kerala breakfast of rice, lentils, papadam, and delicious Kerala coffee. We then walked 30 minutes to St. Peters school, for a visit with the high school age students. We were very warmly welcomed into a classroom filled with dignitaries, teachers, and the most accomplished English speaking students in the school. We listened to several speeches about the culture and lifestyle of India, specifically Kerala. We then proceeded to watch a symbolic lamp lighting ceremony showing the unity of Indian culture and Christian culture.

Then we got a chance to interact with the students. We learned a little bit about their education, lifestyle, and ambitions. We also shared with them pictures and stories about our life in America, and our family and friends. We were quite impressed with their English, and how easily we were able to interact with them.

We ended our school visit with a traditional Indian dance program, including dances typically performed at a bachelor or bachelorette party, for the bride and groom. They also shared with us a dance praising God.

After enjoying their complex and energetic performance we shared with them a rendition of "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepson, and included them in an interactive performance of "Cha Cha Slide."

We then said farewell to our new friends, and returned to the house. We enjoyed a lunch consisting of rice, lentils, chickpeas, and fresh sardines, and had a few hours of homework time. The girls went down to the sewing center to get fitted for our saris. the women at the center did not speak English, but were very helpful and kind. While the girls were being fitted for saris, the boys helped Lal pick fresh vegetables for dinner from Daisy's garden. Dinner was fish, sardines, lentils, rice, and fresh vegetables. We ended the day with a few heated rounds of a traditional Indian board game called carom.

Love,

Anna and Sophia.