This whole week has been sports week.  All the schools in the area get together and play sports.  Today was the big day of the week.  So there were no classes.  Before going to Sports Day, we went by the phone shop to see if I could get a mobile hot spot.  No.  Off to Sports Day.  We got there and each school was on the field in formation.  They were dressed in all different bright colors.  Some were in sports attire and some were dressed to the nines like they were going to a pageant.   I’d heard of this, but it was a sight to see.  All schools in the area were there and all ages.  On one side of the field were a bunch of tents that looked like “official” tents.  On the other side of the field were bleachers.  Each school had their own bleachers.  The bleachers weren’t for spectators, they were for the cheer team.  We went under the bleachers.  Most of the teachers were there.  Someone asked if I had eaten.  I had.  That didn’t matter, a bag of sticky rice and pork was given to me.  I’ve heard so much about sticky rice, but never tried this treat so I was a little excited.  For a minute.  It’s just rice that’s stickier than all the other rice I’ve had.  Then the processional started so I watched that.  Each school, and their bands walked around the track.  The costumes, makeup and high heels were interesting.  It appeared that a lot of groups chose traditional clothing of various Asean countries.  Then, after the processional, the cheering started.  All schools were cheering.  They cheered for at least 4 hours.  They were basically cheering for the sake of cheering.  There was no game happening.  I think cheering might be the most popular sport.  I spent most of the morning under the bleachers helping the other teachers putting together bags of food for the kids.  The amount of plastic bags used in this country is astonishing.  Everything goes in a bag and then usually another bag.  They gave me a bag with water, a sandwich, and some candy.  I figured this was lunch.  No, that must have been second breakfast.  Lunch came later – soup and rice.  They had some fresh greens too so I stuffed my soup with lettuce instead of rice.  After lunch, the cheering resumed.  There were ice cream, cotton candy, and soda vendors around the field.  The kids were coming and going and having a great time.  I never saw a sports game.  Was this just the celebration after a week of sports?  Were sports being played somewhere else?  At some point, there was running though.  Ok, that’s a sport.  I found it fascinating that some kids had running shoes and the rest ran barefoot.   It was so hot I thought I might pass out.  Some teachers had hoodies or jackets on.  I felt my t shirt had way too much fabric.  I’m not sure I will make it through the summer.

When I got home, I so badly wanted to take a cold shower (If I had hot water, I would not have used it) and a nap.  But, if I did, then I wouldn’t go to the market and I wouldn’t have the fresh veggies I wanted for the weekend.  So, I took my tiny bike up to the market.  Holy crap that is far away by bike, but I made it.  I got some veggies, fruit and a shrimp omelette.  I also go what looks like doughnut holes.  I also bought some “slippers”.  The teachers take their shoes off when they get to school and wear plastic slippers instead.  So, I got a pair of fake crocs for my school slippers.  I also got slippers for the bathroom  – constantly wet bathroom floor problem solved!  Thai bathrooms are constantly wet.  I won’t say more – google it if you want.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore