A Day of Giggs! (Giggles)

Waking up today, we all expected a busy schedule. After practicing our dance, which would be preformed at St. Peter's, the group jumped on the bus and headed to our final school, Don Bosco. Pulling up our jaws dropped at the sheer size of the building. With over 2,000 children attending the middle to upper status school, Don Bosco is the highest socio-economic school that the group has attended. We were lucky enough to be able to sit in on plus one, or eleventh grade, classes. Some listened to teachers explain computer science, while others learned about the urinary track in a biology class. One of the most surprising things that we discovered was the student's daily schedule. Instead of switching classrooms, each student was to stay in the same room, with the same students, for not just the whole day, but for their whole school year. Even eating lunch in these classrooms, the kids only are allowed 30 minutes of free time during their school day, which is from 9am to 4pm.

After coming home from Don Bosco, Daisy told us we needed to scarf down our lunches, as right after we would need to put on our saris for our final day at St. Peter's. When we finished eating the girls went up to their room, just in time for the women from the sewing center to help us put on our saris. With the girls saris on and the boys dhotis securely fastened, we loaded onto the bus. Our arrival was incredible. Walking up the stairs of St. Peter's we were cheerfully welcomed. After being given a sandalwood paste bindi, an Indian tradition during a welcoming ceremony, we walked through a crowd of people, each throwing flowers at us and shaking our hands. It felt incredible to be appreciated so much by the students we had become friends with so quickly. Once inside the ceremony began. Various students stood in front of the class and gave thoughtful and well-rehearsed speeches. Once the head-master arrived we were invited to show the class our prepared dance. After preparing our dance for the past two days everyone grew a bit nervous, but once we got in front of the students, their warm smiles and giggles calmed us down. Our traditional Kuttanad boat racing dance was a success, the students cheered with delight when we finished and everyone in the room was smiling from ear to ear. The ceremony ended with a generous meal prepared by the school, even including some homemade dishes made by the students that very morning. After the meal we said our goodbyes, even Mack shed a tear.

Back at the house we were eager to head out and play with the neighborhood kids. We found them waiting for us at the bottom of Daisy's driveway. Once a group gathered we all headed over to the cricket field where more and more kids appeared for some fun and games. Many played a rowdy game of cricket while others raced, looking to find the fastest person there. Of course our superstar Nathan reigned number one, even beating Anna while running backwards. It was an amazing end to the day and getting to know the local kids has been a favorite part of the trip for everyone.

Tomorrow brings excitement and sadness, as it is our last full day in Kerala; but for now we're all just appreciating the time we've had and the last bit we have left.

Dats all. Peace.
xoxo,
Clur n Mayah