Farewells

 

 I didn't quite know what to expect, just that the school had arranged a farewell today. So I went by taxi from the hotel dropped off my motorcycle gear at Jordy's families house and met José and his family. The speakers were in use, music was coming from the pavilion and children were gathering. Amada and Mayella were organising papers and receipts for me. Then Uriel arrived with food. I was glad I hadn't eaten much breakfast.



I was taken into the hall where children, teachers and parents were gathered. It was less formal than at home and there was a certain amount of movement and noise. There was a dance by teachers, then children, then a very emotional poetry recitation where I was crowned with a coronet! And the inevitable speech.

 I received a certificate in the name of the education system, all of which gives a bit more clout to our project and will hopefully help in the future.

The teacher from the satellite school brought a receipt and thanks for the laptop his school had received.

It was all very moving. We returned to Josés families house where I was given lunch and there were more farewells.

Later I went to Santa Teresa with José and Idalia, but the tour was cancelled following earlier rain, so we walked and talked, visiting the watermelon field and eating freshly picked watermelon! And finally more goodbyes with the family.

Part of me will remain here; I have never formed such strong links with a community. They keep thanking me for visiting their poor island and their poor homes, but they are generous and loving in their hearts!

Final farewells as I left the island were accompanied by Amada, Jose and Lou, Jose' sister with her baby.

Interestingly whilst I've been here I've been reading Four mums in a boat, the story of four Yorkshire mothers who rowed the Atlantic. It has been inspiring and so concurred with my experience. You don' know what you are capable of until you try. Life throws you challenges, and in my case through Jose, after I offered to help him he came up with the ideas to help his community. Despite the challenges  he faces, he is an inspiring young man and has thrown me a few challenges too which, I and we have achieved. Just about everything that could go wrong did at some point, the hotel closed, Jose's illness and my motorbike accident. But I have returned having confirmed my life's direction, having gained a whole new family and sense of belonging in a community and other new friends.

No doubt my holiday will feel a bit flippant by comparison, so I will enjoy it for what it is , a well earned adventure holiday.