The kids said they felt like celebrities today! We were taken into council chambers when we
arrived at city hall, and they sat in the big semi circle in councillors’
seats. Josh was disappointed he couldn’t speak through the microphone at
everyone’s place!
The newly elected council is obviously as keen to promote
and support student cultural exchanges as the last one was. They had a slideshow about New Caledonia which was informative for us and then gave out caps and bands to us. We had some French pastries and a drink
out in another room before we performed our waiata and haka. Xenon was awesome leading the haka! We were shown La Salle de Marriage where weddings are held and it is a beautiful room. French people aren't permitted to get married just anywhere as we are. They must have a civil ceremony at council in this wedding ceremony room, and then most go on from there to a church for the second ceremony.
We then headed up to Daniel Talon primary school. Here they
were treated like celebrities! They played with the kanak kids but were also followed around by some. One
little girl kept holding and stroking Caitlin’s ponytail! I explained that all
other hair she’s touched probably feels very different!
Paul and I were received into the school with a traditional welcome whereby we stood on a special mat with one of the senior pupils and were given a gift of traditional cloth, a 100F note and had a flower lei placed on us. Each class then performed songs for us. The senior classes had all been lent a school tee shirt to wear for the day and were very proud. Other kids had made an effort for the big kiwi visit day and wore their 'best' clothes. One boy was decked out in addidas shirts and All Black top. They are his heroes apparently! Our kids spent time in classrooms in the afternoon doing
activities and we headed back to Mariotti about 2.45pm.
It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow so hopefully it will be for our first day in the water. Many kids swam and snorkelled at the weekend though, with some going out to outer islands to do so. Even though it's still cloudy, it's very warm and muggy. We've had to remind them about drinking from their water bottle throughout the day.
Au revoir until tomorrow!
Wow - can we expect some aspiring councillors or ambassadors from the group. It looks like you are a great promotion for NZ - hopefully we can see some of those beautiful NC children here on NZ soil in the future! Our love to Katie - we did our Speech and Drama exams yesterday in Hastings and you would have been very proud of your little sisters and brother - Mitch asked when he was getting his "money" prize and was a bit confused about the exam thing ... he wondered where all the people were to watch him perform! Love to you our precious girl and we wish your colleagues and teachers all the best for a sunny day today - Love Mum xxoo
ReplyDeleteThank god the microphone didn't work, god knows what would have come out of Joshua's mouth!!! It looks like you are having some awesome experiences over there, thanks for the updates it is great to see what you are up too.
ReplyDeleteHope you'd washed it the previous night, Caitlin!? (if that's my Caitlin?). Hey Caitlin, Jetts raised loads of money for Heartkids at the treadathon yesterday. And guess who won 1st prize in the raffle? Oui, moi. ;) xx
ReplyDeleteYep, your Caitlin all right, Graeme - just lapping up all the attention and hair-stroking!
DeleteHello to you all in Noumea. You are obviously having a wonderful time experiencing new things. Thank you for the updates Mrs Westerman. Hope April-Rose was okay with the Waiata yesterday. I got a message from April-Rose last night asking if she could stay for another 30 days! And mentioned she doesn't want to come home! Glad to hear she is feeling happy and enjoying this wonderful opportunity so much to feel like that. Her host family have been amazing!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the kanak and Taupo kids with super big smiles - I'm sure you're all learning loads about different cultures and ways of doing things. Love to Emma J from mum in Wellington!!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see my girl in the photo and so cool we families can get a feel from what you are all up to via the blog. Tui, hope the camera is red hot from taking so many photos. Please wish Elisabeth a very happy birthday from Dad & I. Decorating going OK - carpet coming Thursday - you may not recognise the place. Have a wonderful last few days much love Mumxxxx
ReplyDeleteIt looks & sounds like you are all having an amazing time. I hope you are also taking lots of photos Caitlin, we can't wait to see & hear all about it. I can see you tried to email, but it wouldn't let you access your account, if you want, see if you can send it from Emma's to yours & I'll check it there. Make the most of your last couple of days & have loads of fun. Lots of love from all of us xx
ReplyDeleteWow!! So much going on, looks like the days are filled with fun and laughter. I can't wait to hear about the amazing things you have done, seen and experienced. Hope lots of photos are being taken Allistair and Connor!! So that we can share the times you have had. Everyone over here has been asking how your time is going. James sends his best wishes and can't wait to hear about it all.
ReplyDeleteMissing you both, all our love xx
Enjoy your Wednesday everyone! Hope the sun is still shining!!
ReplyDelete