And now it’s my turn!
What fun! My goodness, I never travel alone, but have escorts and followers at all times. People come running from their houses to stare or say hello. The news travels ahead of us and the crowds are there waiting when I arrived dripping with sweat and ever so glamorous. ( By the way, the look is big, fat, clumsy, clammy and white! I don’t even have a tan yet! And my clothes are simply all wrong. I brought camping clothes – worn stuff, t-shirts – but they want me to look like the star and I can’t pull it off in the fashion department this time. Shoot!!!! I’ve missed my chance!)
I receive a crowd of 50 children from 3 – 16 every night under the full moon and stars and teach them English. They know very little so we mostly play games and lots of singing. I even do solos! They couldn’t ne kinder and don’t laugh at me – they are now putting the African harmony on it and soon I will be drowned out to all of our joy. So far we’ve done Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, The Wheels On The Bus, I See the Moon and Mary Had a Little Lamb. If you have any suggestions please add a comment – I’m desperate! ….And the crowd grows daily.
As for life as a star…..I shake about 50 hands a day, have to remember the names of all my new friends – about 50 and look happy to see everyone. I have to get up in front of the church and dance, dance at meetings, speak at meetings in front of entire villages (I’m sure the translator gives his own improved version which I just love. I speak for 2 minutes, he then translates it into a 10 minute speech) and I have been asked to give a sermon in church next week. I agreed only if I get the same deal on translations – and WHAT do I know about god and WHAT can you say to people about god who about to enter into one of their worst years and are desperate? Do send your thoughts please….
The down side of stardom is that, to be honest, I don’t always feel happy to shake another hand, especially in this heat. Sometimes it would be nice to be alone and not have everyone look at every word I write or watch me returning from the pit latrine!
Ok. Time to hide behind my shades!.........
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do you know the song "mares eat oats?" or what about the "apples and bananas" song? the one that goes "i like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas" x 4 and then you go through the list of vowels and replace the originals ala "i like to oat, oat, oat, opples and bononos." two fun ones i could think of. :) what i wouldn't give to see you and those children!
ReplyDeletei was a star in india too! especially among children. :) in chennai once there was a grade school class on a field trip at a church (yes, a christian church) and they were all just amazed by the sight of morten and me, teacher included. i got the distinct impression that they would go home and tell about seeing us and forget all about that beautiful, old church. :) definitely a novelty at first, but i could imagine how difficult it must be with such constant surveillance. but hey, you might as well enjoy the attention like the star you are. :)
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