Welcome Party, Kupang

Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Tue 19 Oct 2010 04:23
 
Tuesday 19th October
 
A welcome party had been organised by the government officials nearby and they'd laid on a bus to transport us up to what I believe was a hotel. It was all a rather interesting experience!
 
 
We all crammed into the bus.........
 
   
 
With a door that didn't shut! Sheila attempted to close it as best she could........but when the bus braked, it flung open..........health and safety!
 
  
 
Speeches were made by the dignitaries and translated by a man on the stage wearing a Blue Water Rally shirt. A few more helpers also wore the shirts, it's amazing how important this made them feel, such simple things! The room and the setting took some getting used to but they did try exceptionally hard to please us which didn't go unrecognised. They just have a different way of doing things.
 
 
We were a bit dubious about the food, as it sat in exceptionally small containers for hours whilst we mingled, bearing in mind there must have been a hundred of us. We thought that there was no way enough food but they surprised us and kept appearing with more and more, albeit cold, but it was still nice. We even managed to locate a bar after spending about an hour drinking water from plastic sealed cups, something like what the kids used to have when they were little.
 
  
 
They then presented everyone with these beautiful woven scarf's which was quite touching
 
  
 
Then it was on to the dancing. Amy was soon roped in and luckily for her so were many others. The dance was simple and very repetitive but everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.
 
  
 
The dancers to the left and a group photo to the right