Independence day!

Today is independence day and its been a weekend full of independence day related activities! :) It all started yesterday when we had a neighborhood party at one of the neighbors' house till about 23.30 in the night. There was lots of eating, singing, lotteries and talking involved, as well as a movie that was all about this country's war to gain liberty. For my part it was mostly not understanding anything and trying to sit appropriately on the hard tile floor, but it was definitely a great way to find out who lives in my neighborhood and to shake hands with everyone. Handshaking when coming and leaving is the thing to do here, no matter how many people are there, there is a huge line or a ring, and people shake hand after hand as they go around :)

 This morning we went to see the flag ceremony in town. There was a band, lots of marching and lots of school kids standing in neat little rows in their school uniforms. Unfortunately it was incredible hot, and we watched at least 6-7 people get carried off on stretchers after fainting. The had apparently foreseen this cause they had at least 4 stretchers and a bunch of medical people standing around!

 

 Of course where ever there is an event, there are balloons to be bought! Anne just had to get one ;)

 Everyone loves little, white, cute babies :)

 I love this little, white baby in particular! ;)

 Then, because we're also white (although not so little), we got to meet the governor and his wife, and got to shake their hands and get our pictures taken with them! (not with my camera though). Then we got invited to eat lunch at the governors office, or shall I call it a palace, and we were hungry, so off we went :)

 We had really yummy soto (chicken soup), and also got invited to come back in the evening for the Independence day celebration! So we hurried of to buy batik shirts for the occasion (actually Anne hurried of and bough shirts, and got one for me too :)

 Lindsey was lucky enough to have her birthday in the middle of all this!

 Lovely Cinta, our language and culture expert and friend

 Thankfully the people here dig getting pictures with us as much as we want them of them :)

  We got to eat yummy food, incredibly sweet coffee, watch amazing dancers and shake everyone's hand again. Busy last 24 hours you might say!! Will try and post some videos later on