First Field trip

Paharpur

November 30, we were supposed to leave at 7am but didn’t go until 8am. Typical Bangladesh time. Class 3 and 4 were going to Paharpur and the Children’s Park. They begged me to come with them. Even though I had a late night sleep over with class 6 girls, I decided to go. It should be fun going on my first field trip as a teacher. Ponwel, Shuborna, the class 3 teacher, Nicole and I were the adults going. In the bus I was crammed in the back surrounded by children. I didn’t mind. It was like every bus ride I had as a kid, loud singing, bouncing, laughing, sleeping and motion sickness. However, there were a lot more bumps due to the un-kept roads. This was most of the kids first time in a bus. Since the kids have rarely if ever ridden in vehicle motion sickness is a big problem. Before we left all the kids had to take medicine and were giving a vomiting bag. Cloe actually vomited. Poor girl.

Johnny's jumping picture

When we got to Paharpur we buddied up. Brianna and Johnny were my buddies. Everyone had to go to the bathroom but they were locked. We found the lady with the key, but she wanted us to pay to use it. After a bit of arguing Ponwel paid her and the kids went to the bathroom. These people will use anything to get money. Once everyone was finished we explored the ruins. Brianna ran off and buddied with someone else. So it was just me and Johnny. He wanted me to take a picture of him jumping. After about five tries I got a descent one. Then he wanted to take a picture of me jumping. Bless his heart for trying but he could never get all of me into the frame.

Johnny's jumping picture of me

We wandered around for a bit, then sat down to give the pathfinders a bible quiz. I was responsible for seeing who raised their hand first. Oh my, was that hard. They were all calling, “Julie teacher me! Me Julie teacher!” Most of the time I had no idea, so I just dispersed the callings and gave everyone a chance without the kids realizing. Haha! Sneaky Julie.

My buddy

As we were heading out, one of the owners recognized me from last Saturday and was asking about how my time here in Bangladesh was going. While I was talking to him Johnny gave me a strange look and slipped away. That was odd. Then I realized he was about to have a seizure. Oh, no! We tried to get him to snap out of it by holding up a leather shoe for him to smell, but it didn’t work. We got all the kids in the bus and had him sitting on the platform in the front next to the driver. Then he started to seize. Seeing that small body twitch uncontrollably was heart breaking. They decided to take him outside where it would be cooler. I heart ached to go with him but all the other adults were going and I needed to stay back and entertain the kids. So stood in the doorway as we sang songs and prayed for Johnny. His seizure lasted more than 30 minutes. He hadn’t even finished when they brought him back into the bus. We needed to move on. So I sat on the floor of the bus holding him. After ten minutes of holding him he fell asleep.

Marc and Brent making me
sick on the teacups

We ate lunch at the Children’s park, leaving Johnny in the bus to sleep. Then we toured around the park. There were interesting sculptures and painting all along the walkways. We first went to a section that reminded me of the Chico fair, but way more sketchy. There were swings and slides, two teacup spinning things, a Ferris wheel, a rocking Vikings boat, swinging chairs, and two trains. The kids loved it! Of course I got sick on the teacups. Marc and Brent were spinning it way too fast. Then the kids got on the Ferris Wheel. The people running the Ferris Wheel would have been sued several times if we were in the U.S.. They loaded the kids on quickly and would send them off quickly without making sure they were all in and sitting down. I saw one girl fall off about five feet in the air. Luckily she didn’t hurt her self. Some of the kids, Marc and Cloe included, were scared on the Ferris Wheel. I would be too on that rickety thing. Next I advised we go on the train; that might be a little safer then the other rides. Boy that train was load and shaky, but the kids loved it. Nicole were discussing how the kids would react going to a theme park in the States. I think they would be terrified.

The sketchy Ferris Wheel

Then we wandered around some more. We came across a cage of deer. The deer were all spotted and very curious. The kids would hold out their hands through the cage and the deer would cautiously slink over to inspect what treats they hand to give. It was normally nothing but occasionally they had a leaf or orange peal. I also got to touch them. Next we went to what they called the zoo. We walked on a path along some paintings and sculpture of animals. The kids wanted a picture by each animal. I have so many pictures! Then we wandered around some more. Eventually it was lime to go. I was reluctant to go because I was still sick from the teacups and exhausted from the excitement of the day and the night before.

The spotted deer

Kids and penguins

When we got back to the bus Johnny was still asleep but as we climbed in the noise woke him up. I took him the back of the bus to sit with me. I had him drink some water and eat some food because he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. He looked exhausted. Poor guy. About half way back I asked him if he wanted to sleep. He looked at me with the saddest face and said, “cold” as he rubbed his arms. I got down my jacket and wrapped him in it. Five minutes later he was out. Then Brianna and Marc fell asleep on my right side and Rosie on my left. The trip wore them out. When we arrived on campus I carried Johnny up to his room. Sweet dreams Johnny.

Kids and elephan