Get to know buddies

Hey everyone, it’s Lily 🙂

I’m currently sat on my bed at Janoda with everyone crowded around one of the beds discussing all the different foods we miss and funny story’s to keep us amused.
Today has been jam packed of excitement, new experiences and fun. We started off today with the cook team being abruptly woken by a 6:45 alarm to help prepare breakfast. The others had a little lay in until 7, breakfast was amazing as everyone was craving fruit salad and we got presented with the biggest bowl we could’ve imagined. Breakfast was followed by a visit to the kindergarten owned by the lovely hostel we’re staying in. Everyone loved seeing all the young children in awe with plastic Easter eggs filled with sweets. Our morning was ended by playing traditional Sri Lankan games (which we played at the end of visiting MEF) and was adorable to see the children really getting involved and showing us how to play. Esha made two little friends who decided to put flowers throughout her hair and only wanted to sit next to her. We were then presented with a scrumptious lunch of rice, fish curry, mushroom crisp things (not quite sure what they were called) and cooked pumpkin which we managed to consume very quickly.

Our afternoon started with a quick dash into our uniform before a short drive (with air con which was heaven) to Tzu Chi school where we met our buddies with lots of nerves but also excitement to get to know them and their culture further. Our buddies lead us to a welcoming assembly with many dances and drama performances; however we had to do an unexpected speech in front of our buddies and their families which was nerve racking for some. Presented with lots of sweet snacks we tucked into them in a classroom and was overwhelmed with the amount we enjoyed it and the different ways to cook or eat things. After all our nerves turned into feeling ecstatic we played a Sri Lankan game called ‘Elle’ which is a mix between rounders and baseball. Splitting into two teams, Hamish and hatty hit amazing shots, i hit the ball but slipped while running and then laughed in embarrassment and Esha caching the ball when she shouldn’t have made up our entertainment for an hour. After a few hours at Tzu Chi school we said farewell to our buddies for today and told them our plans for tomorrow which we are all very excited about (you’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s blog to find out what we are going to do) and got back onto our bus.

Once again all so thankful for the air con to cool us down, we set off for Hambantota to buy material for our sari’s with help from the teacher at Tzu Chi school. A few hours later of picking and choosing through lots different colours and types of fabric, everyone had their material for the sari and the shirt/skirt to go underneath. Of course Hamish took 5 minutes to pick his but had to wait for all the girls, oops! We then set back off to go to a seamstress to get measured for the material to fit us correctly to pick up in a few days time so wait for photos!

Tonight we’ve had a relaxed evening of another incredible dinner of NON-SPICY PASTA! Literally such a god send to all of us! We also got treated to being read all of the blog comments which made us all very happy to hear from everyone back home.
This brings me onto say, the Aldens are currently in the lead for commenting as they’re alway first to respond and have commented on every post. Everyone is finding it hilarious when we hear that the Aldens have commented again!

Everyone’s having an amazing time and loving it here. We’re having a great adventure and love to update you on it. >> For more pictures visit the Partner Schools Worldwide Facebook as there are daily updates of pictures including all of ‘the best Sri Lanka team ever'<< see you soon, lots of love Lils, Hatty, Esha, Charlie, Hamish, Eliza, Katie, Ellie and Jess xxxxxxx

P.S – haven't seen a monkey yet (sorry dad) also, a Chicken Caesar salad with ranch sauce would be great at the airport (thanks mum, hint hint ahaha) as all of us are really craving non-spicy salad!!