Yesterday was Children's Day - a national holiday. The holiday is to promote children's rights and awareness of children's issues. There was a parade through town led by uniformed armed men that looked like soldiers but i think they were the police force and then a marching band, school children and the public carrying various banners. The parade started at the water went through town to a large park (Independence Park).
We were standing next to a woman who worked for save the children who was very disappointed that the announcer was not talking about children's issues at all and was rambling on. The highlight for Olivia and I was the interpretive dance by dancers of the Baha'i faith set to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler where a woman was abused and then tempted by four dancer each with a word written on their back (alcohol, kava, cocaine and weed). she danced with each and then they killed her...
After the parade Olivia and i went sailing on a pirate ship, the Cassiopeia. Well she flies a pirate flag and the captain takes her out for tourists dressed as a pirate (with swords and all). He was not in pirate gear for us since the trip was arranged by some Australian expats. Captain Harry has lived on his schooner for years sailing in the Caribbean and South Pacific and apparently winning many races. I was amazed at how relaxed and skilled he was. He had one guy on ship who seemed to have some idea how to sail but still needed some direction and about 25 folks with no idea and he was able to patiently teach us how to hoist sails, drop sails, pull up anchor, drop anchor, steer the ship, get in/out of harbor without sinking us or another ship etc. His entire safety lecture was "If it looks like something is going to kill you - run out of the way!" Somewhat to my surprise no one was knocked overboard, left at sea, or injured and no boats (ours or the many others in the harbor) were harmed! My only disappointment was the cat that lives on board stayed ashore for the trip.
2 comments:
Oh, my gosh, Michelle, that dance sounded just jolting and very sad. Yet, the message is the right message. Maybe this is the best way to communicate such things.
Sounds surreal. WWBT? (What Would Bonnie Think)
Can't wait for more. Miss you!
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