Hey, it’s Emily,
It’s a very hard job to live up to the magnificent blogs that’ve come before mine, so here goes:
Our morning started with 7 members of the team waking up outside after a camp-out in the Janoda front garden. Lily, Tom, Jonny, Elodie, Christian, Sam and myself all slept the night in the camp beds and mosquito nets that the Ghana team use everyday!
We went down to the mudhut where the final cooking team made Rotti dough breads for our breakfast. Some went with jam on their breads and some went with delicious spicy fish curry.
The team then pootled on down to the Zahira College which was the local Islamic school. We were warmly welcomed to the college and then we met the grade 11 students and had many conversations about the differences between English and Sri Lankan schools. We were very interested to learn that Zahira School starts and 7:30 and finished at 1:30, and also how one girl who turned 16 today, didn’t celebrate her birthday much at all! They treated us with cream sodas and we would be very happy to continue a connection with this school in later years.
Then, after a little confuzzlement, we decided to go to a local market. Everyone was very happy to walk through the busy rows of stalls selling fruit, clothes, fish and tools and spending their rupies.
We then bounced to Tzu Chi school where the buddies and the dance teacher practiced a traditional dance with us which we will be excited to perform at the cultural show. Sam got very positive comments on his “accurate” dancing from the teacher!
After a quick lunch back at Janoda, the buddies arrived at the Foundation. Jonny, Elodie, Jess and Hannah gave an amazing geography lesson including games and an activity in which the buddies had to compare Sri Lanka and England. Whilst the geography activities went ahead, Seb, Tee, Poppy and Amy continued on painting the mural which is really taking shape and looks amazing.
After the buddies left Janoda, we made our last journey to the local potter’s home. We watched in satisfaction, as the husband and wife formed beautiful clay pots and clay elephants.
We went back down to Janoda for dinner and the 5 members sleeping outside again set up their camp beds for another night while the others enjoyed their free time before bed.
With only three days left here, we’re really going to make the most of the activities in this beautiful country. Everyone is working so well as a strong team and I will miss working with them all.
Goodnight!
Love, Emily + the Summmer Sri Lanka team
Emily! We are so happy to hear your voice through your fantastic blog – sounds like you have had another busy day, after camping out the night! The photos are amazing, everything is so colourful – it is very grey and chilly here, yesterday it rained ALL day! Enjoy your last few days, we are so looking forward to seeing you. Love you so much xxx
Great pics! Make the most of your last few days in sunny Sri Lanka. Xx
Hi Emily and the rest of the team, fantastic blog! Great to hear what you’ve been up to, sounds like another full on packed day. The markets look vibrant and the people look so lovely. We hope you all enjoy your last few days .. and the activities. Good luck to those camping outside tonight Make the most of the weather … it’s been pretty grim here! ….Big hugs to Jess, we’re all missing you, including Jamie! Nan and Grandad are here from Oz to welcome you home next week lots of love xx
Dear Emily, you definitely lived up to all the magnificent blogs that have gone before. Brilliant photos and descriptions, and well done to the outside campers. Are you going to keep up the camping til you leave?
Hey Mum, just saying we are camping tonight as well but not on the last night! Not long now – be seeing you before you know it!
Tom xxxx
Wow Emily – fantastic blog! So much detailed information and such great descriptions – we can almost imagine being there with you all. 3 days left – hope they are equally as enjoyable. Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday.
Thanks for a super update Emily! Camping outside sounds like fun – another great experience. It’s so nice to hear how you’ve enjoyed sharing time with your hosts and embraced all the new experiences they have shared with you. Still lots to see, taste, smell, do and give in the last three days. We hope you all savour every moment!
Great blog Emily! Can’t believe Samuel has been camping or dancing, Ollie and I have been at the Cadet summer camp all week and everyone has enjoyed hearing what you’ve been up to. You can teach them your dance moves next week Samuel. If you look at the sky and there’s an extra star….it’s the guinea pig. We are looking forward to seeing you soon! Lots of love xxxxxxx
Hi Emily thanks for such a great blog. Just really enjoy these last few days all of you as it’s so cold here! We spent the day in Margate today and it really doesn’t compare to your wonderful photos! I’m looking forward to making Matt play all my favourite tunes when he lands as I’ve really missed the music! Mrs W please put in your coffee order! Love the LMs x
Tx Emily! How brilliant to b sleeping out! Well done guys… sounds like I’ve really embraced everything SL has had to offer! Can’t believe only 3 days! Seems to have flown by with so much going on xxxxx