Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

We arrive at Sea Splendour and are stunned by the heat and humidity.  Our new friend, Levi, had warned us back in February, but this is worse than we expected.  And, of course, there is no A/C.  We’d planned to spend the rest of our time here, but this is not seeming like a good idea . . .

Next morning, we confirm that this is, indeed, hot.   When we consult the heat/humidity index, we learn that it ‘feels like’ 113 degrees F.  No wonder we’re uncomfortable!

So we plan a couple of outings that will get us some relief from the heat. 

Meanwhile, we laze around, read, drink lots of fluids, and sleep. 

Not really an escape – more of a diversion - Haksar invites us to come and watch his daughter, Saifa, perform in a dance recital at her school.   (Note:  nearly all schools in Kerala are government-run, and they are excellent.  Children are provided uniforms, books, supplies, and transport – all free – along with qualified and committed teachers.  There are a few private schools in Kerala (religious, mostly) but the government school option is the choice of nearly all families.  Sadly, this is not the case in the rest of India where the government schools are little more than day-care and a last resort for the poorest of the poor.)

Back to the school dance recital . . . this is the end of the school year, and this is a very big deal.  A dance recital, is a dance recital, is a dance recital anywhere in the world.  There are scores of children between the ages of about 5 and 10.  The girls are dressed like wee Bollywood stars; the boys jumping, running, chasing each other around, and just being boys!

These two little fellas were so eager for us to take their photo!

And then there is Saifa, the image of cool - at 9!!

What a beauty!!

Saifa’s first dance is four girls and four boys (I’m amazed at the number of boys dancing!).  She is obviously the best dancer.  The other kids keep looking to see what she’s doing, taking their lead from her, and she is occasionally looking off stage.  From our picture-taking vantage point, we can see the teacher just off-stage, miming all the steps for the children!

Saifa’s second dance is just she and a young man.  The steps are complicated and unbelievably energetic, with some of them what I can only characterize as very adult!  She is poised and confident; the young man seems to be less so but nonetheless very involved.

They were constantly in motion - hard to get a non-blurry photo!

We stay for over an hour and decide it’s too hot and the three of us head home.  (It went on for two more hours!)  Later that afternoon, Saifa can’t wait to show us her First Place Award – Best Dancer in the Whole School!!  Well done Saifa!!