The New Week

We had a wonderful day yesterday, although it was long and the kids were all very tired as they waited for their hosts to collect them at 4pm yesterday. The Deputy Mayor received us in Council Chambers as the Mayor wasn't there. We also met the guy in charge of education in New Caledonia, and we will return his hospitality in September when Jean Mariotti come to Taupo with him, Madame Mezouar, their Principal, and the french ambassador to NZ from Wellington. Our kapa haka group I'm sure will do us proud with their powhiri! A few of them spoke yesterday morning, and once again showed how they emphasise the importance of the sister city relationship between Noumea and Taupo, and how vital it is to show kids from a young age the importance of tolerance between cultures, and the sharing of knowledge, expertise and understanding between our cultures. The kids sang and the boys did their haka which was great.
The bus then collected us and took us to the north of the city to Daniel Talon primary school. As a first time visitor, Carrie found the experience moving and it certainly made a impact ono our kids. The whole school of about 200 kids was sitting outside on mats in their shingle playground as we arrived. They are so cute and mainly kanak kids. Each class sang songs for us that they had been practising and were so excited to have us there. They are a 'high priority' school in New Caledonia, which means they get a lot of government assistance because the area is one of the poorest in Noumea. One teacher was telling us that 70% of the kids come from extreme poverty with many of them just living in huts.  They look forward to the annual visit from the kiwis, as they call us, and wear their best clothes especially for us. These amount to a colourful collection of second hand clothing that often doesn't fit properly, but worn with pride as they appreciate how special the day is.  After we performed our waiata, the boys did the much awaited haka. It is so funny to watch their faces - they just love the haka. Baz and the boys taught it to a class later on and we saw the boys walking around pulling faces and slapping their chests as they really got into it, and reciting the words. One little boy even had one of those black tee-shirts we can buy with the Maori and English words of the haka on the front. Goodness knows where he got it from!  He was a proud little chap yesterday! The kids spent the rest of the day in classes making kanak masks and bookmarks with indiginous designs on. They looked great. As we left, the whole school came out to say goodbye, and as usually happens, our kids feel like movie stars, moving amongst the cheering, yelling crowd!  One gorgeous little girl of about 6 came up to me and said au revoir as she kissed both cheeks and gave me the necklace she'd been wearing. I had commented on how beautiful it was earlier and she wanted me to take it home. I was very moved.
The bus took us back to Mariotti and the kids were duly collected. All have had a good weekend, although Aly got to share a family experience that wasn't what we normally expect - a funeral, but as we told her, it was just another experience to add to her list. She was a bit sore after falling off the swimming raft but we gave her something to rub on it and some panadol and she was fine when she left us yesterday. Hannah's cold is much improved and everyone else is fighting fit!
We went to the supermarket after that to buy lots of baguettes to fill this morning for everyone as today we are spending the day over on Isle du Canard -Duck Island. It is about $11 each to buy one filled so we're doing our own in the apartment before we meet the kids this morning!
Carrie had a special birthday yesterday and I'm sure it's one she won't forget. We went to a restaurant for dinner to celebrate and were too tired to face the blog when we returned at 10pm - hence the early morning composition!
The day looks beautiful as dawn is breaking so I'm sure it will be another memorable one for the kids.
The TIS team