Sports Day

Friday, 17 September 2004

This week has been Sports Week for our school. Our English Program students have not participated in the events until today, as our manager did not want us to fall behind in the curriculum. During Sports Week, the grade levels are combined into different color groups and the students compete in various track events, as their teammates cheer them on (there are actually cheerleaders all dressed up for each team), and medals and trophies are awarded. It's basically a mini-Olympics that encourages a lot of school spirit, competition, and it's fun.

Today was the closing ceremonies. We made signs for the English program and had our students carry signs, twirl batons, and carry sports equipment. We knew there was going to be a parade this morning, but didn't realize until it actually happened that the whole entire school was walking through the neighborhood, with the band leading us in front, a princess, girls all dressed up in fancy Thai dresses and makeup, and their plastic bag skirts, with the motorbike policemen blocking traffic over several blocks. Everyone was out on their porches and storefronts to see the children walk through the town, and Christy commented that if they don't know who that crazy farang is that's been hanging out in their town, they'll know now that she's teaching at Bamrung Wittaya School.

It was crazy how motos and cars were completely stopped, as we took up the entire street. Imagine hundreds of children marching along, carrying elaborate signs and cheering, past the bank and photo shop we go to, past the bus station, along the canal, and past Soi Sawng where we eat dinner each night. Hopefully the pictures will create a picture for you to see. The best thing though was seeing how ornate some of the students were in their costumes, high heeled shoes, tons of makeup, hair molded into every shape and form, etc. It was a lot of fun, and both Christy and I got a little camera happy, as it was a perfect time to capture the town of Nakhon Pathom in daylight.

When we returned, there were formal presentations, Thai dancing, and then the races began. Two of the four children that competed in sprint running around the track won medals, Pop in 1st place and Game in 3rd place. As each color group led their team in organized cheers and songs, we saw several students faint during their races. I can't imagine running in this humidity in over 90 degree weather. The runners were prepped beforehand by getting icyhot rubbed all over their legs. Even as I write this, there is screaming, cheering, an announcer on the VERY LOUD speaker, and a constant drone of drumming going on. Thai people know how to have fun.