11.14.15 It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

Even with this being a short or maybe because we had Monday off for canoe festival, it was really busy. I gave another lecture today for the CME course. Topic was Universal/Standard precautions. Wash your hands, wear gloves, etc. It is amazing how much they know and how little is actually practiced. Ended up sending a summary note to the Chief and hospital director about what I learned from the presentation. We  need to be certain that supplies are available and that people use them.

On a bright note, and going back to the long awaited canoe festival, I have more pictures of the dances. I really enjoy watching them and feel so pleased to see the little girls being taught the tradition. It was a very hot day, so you will see some of the people with towels on their head. I had my hat, long pants and long sleeved shirts. Yes, I was very hot.

A lot of work goes into  preparing the dancers. Here are two Moms fussing over their little ones. It takes weeks to make one skirt - they are all hand made, hand dyed by the family, typically Mom and Grandmom and maybe some Aunties. These dancers are from Tamil.

The sitting position must be just so. The dancers enter the stage and face away from the audience. Then the main singer turns first and is properly seated - the back of the skirt is arranged so that she is abe to lean forward. It takes some time to get seated. Once she is settled, the two dancers next to her area seated, and everyone waits their turn as the line progresses from standing to sitting.

Now here is a proud Grandma.

Did I mention it was hot? Hot, hot, hot. And humid.

Skirt adjustment at the break. While the older women may not dance, some continue as chanters and others as coaches and teachers. They wear traditional skirts and tops and sit right behind the line of dancers.

We were treated to not only sitting dances but also some very energic dancing with the swaying of the skirts. I like to hear the swishing movement of the skirts when there is no singing.

Little Cia, who danced for the group from Rull, is here watching today.

This lady was delightful. I sat just in front of her after being certain I  did not block her view. She had a fan and also fanned me. It felt so good!

The dancers are led by the leaders of the community. The first man is Dr. Eric, who also works at the hospital.

Quite a few local shutterbugs in the audience.

Exiting the dance. Led again by the community leaders.