Last week, my school combined with another school in Phuket for "Sports Day". Staff were instructed to be there by 7.15 a.m. to greet the children. However, many of them were already there by then with their parents putting final touches to their costumes. It is traditional to start the Sports off with a Thai style parade. This means lots of flashy outfits (including make-up, hair pieces, glitter, fish-nets tights and high-heeled boots) for the girls and whatever is left over for the boys as per.
It also means noise, bands, commotion and "nobody knowing what the heck is going on but it will all turn out right in the end".
By 8.00 a.m. the heat was already on and most of the farangue staff were searching for shade. It took a while for the Thais to organise the parade into the 4 colours (red, blue, yellow and pink) with each colour having the appropriate band to lead it into the stadium. By 9.00. everyone had paraded around the stadium, assembled into the middle of the arena. By 9.30 everyone had joined in with The King's Song, The Queen's Song, The National Anthem and the opening speeches (in Thai and English).
The opening ceremony was a red, white and blue umbrella dance and some Thai dancing by the seniors in my class. They had been practising all week and it looked very pretty. Everyone applauded and then....by 10.15, it was time for some sports!
The races began, the cheer leaders led the cheering and I went in search of some shade. Fortunately, I didn't have to go far. I was offered a seat in the official box with the owner and managers of the schools. By now, all the usual Thai food stalls were in full swing so there was no shortage of refreshments. Most of the farangue teachers had to escape for an hour or so at lunch time to get out of the heat.
After lunch, the races and cheering continued until around 3.30. The closing ceremony was performed by a group of seniors from the other school doing acrobatics, very good. Then there was? You've guessed it...The King's Song etc etc etc.
By 5.00 p.m. pupils and parents began leaving the stadium and by 5.30, the staff were free to go.
Don't let me EVER hear any complaints about English school sports days again!!!!!
