Salone 23: Day 2 Getting to know the lay of the land

After a good night sleep, we all felt refreshed and ready to start a new day... After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sort of croissants (nobody does them like the French!), omelette, papaya, watermelon and cakes galore, we chilled for an hour or so, ready for a day getting ourselves sorted! Around 11 am, we all piled up in either the yellow Ballanta bus or the more sophisticated 9 seater car for JTR, and we all went to Ballanta. Pupils were treated to some rehearsals for the workshop on Sierra Leone's Legends- including dance and drama, a treat for Mrs Deans! After a while changing our dollars, we then had our first lunch from Mrs Lewis: lovely and hot rice and vegetables. Very tasty indeed! Around 3 pm, we again piled up in the bat mobiles, and headed to the Cultural village where we were treated to an hour of national dancing and music, in the baking heat. Towards the end, as is the tradition, the performers invited our pupils to join and lots of happiness and joy were palpable in the very hot and humid air... After having handed out a few of the mountain of sweets we had brought with us, we walked back to our hotel, for some rest and a cool shower. Tonight, our first meal at nearby Papaya was a hit and went super smoothly! Pupils delected in jollof rice, chicken skewers and barracuda fish. A great first day, although the heat has claimed our first pupil- it is unforgiving and it serves as a reminder that we need to drink lots and lots of water. Tomorrow, final day of relaxation before the real hard work starts on Monday! Some photos of the day: Us in front of the new sign at Ballanta

Pupils watching a dance rehearsal, and Mr Bowen, Ms D with Dr Kitty Fadlu Deen, Co-Founder of the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing arts (BAMPA)

Pupils and young dancers from the Cultural village mingling and learning to play the jumbe

Pupils clearly enjoying their food at Papaya

Tomorrow, I shall get our pupils to put their thoughts on paper. From a very hot Salone, until tomorrow...JDA