Mixed
emotions always accompany the final day of any extended experience. Was it what we expected? Did we need our
host’s expectations? What can we take
away from all this and what is best forgotten? In any case, our last day began
with a rare brightness from the sun shining through clear skies, an uplifting
omen perhaps.
The
teams set out for either the Foreign Trade University or NBK school this
morning wondering about such things while looking forward to the next leg of
their journeys whether they are on to further touring or jut heading home.
Joe,
Mary and Sim began the morning with their usual classroom
assignments but prepared for an interesting afternoon judging an English contest
for the primary grade students. Pam was
expected to participate as a judge but previous commitments at the University
precluded her attendcance.
Following
morning classes, we met Mr. Quy and Sophia, the new Chinese language teacher,
for coffee across the street from the school, then waited in the teacher’s
lounge for the contest to begin. Soon Mr. Quy appeared and led us to the
auditorium at the rear of the main building.
There the 300 or so primary school students were assembled. An audio system amplified noise and
music. Soon, the NBK team plus Sophia
were anointed judges and seated on one side of the room while Mr. Qua and his
wife, Mr. Quy and others sat at a table across the room from us. The contest began with students making
individual presentations in English.
That was followed by a talent contest involving skits, poetry, recitals,
etc. Your team rose to the occasion
assessing the performances with critical but merciful, even generous, eyes and
ears. The winners were chosen and
rewarded. We were thanked and honored
for our services and sent on our way with expressions of gratitude which were
sincerely reciprocated. We returned to the hotel by taxi anticipating dinner
and music with the full team, together one last time.
- Sam
