WOW. What a spectacular adventure has begun in our first full week of Team Durham Project Sri Lanka. In order to split our time as equally as possible, we have divided ourselves into two groups. Franky, AJ, Laura S and I spent today in the village of Ihalagalagama, whilst Emma, Sam, Louisa and Andy were in Sabaragamuwa University. Waiting at the bottom of the mountain to get the public bus to the village at 7.30am was exciting; we were all nervous, excited, happy and impatient all at the same time. When the bus rocked up, it was little more than a box of metal on wheels, but on we got! That bus ride was like spending 45 minutes on one ride at Alton towers without being allowed to stop. We even drew blood as Franky caught his fingers in the metal seat!! When we arrive in the village we got straight into our program, staring with parachute games with the little ones and ended up playing volleyball with the older ones and the teachers; although we got hammered by the schoolgirl team (but we found out they play for Sri Lanka school girls). At home, I rarely drink tea, but here our whole team LOVES tea – we had about 3 cups of it in Ihalagalagama today, then went to one families house for lunch where the food was incredible, better than any food we have tried, the people in the village are so friendly to us all. Some of the villagers took us on a walk through their Paddy fields and we ended up at the beautiful stream with a mini waterfall. There were loads of dragonflies there. It was truly spectacular.

Andy, Sam, Louisa and Emma were in the Uni today and said it was great fun and they constantly had something to keep them active. Although Louisa and Emma had a few issues with basketball in that there were no teachers and little equipment, but that was one challenge they managed to overcome to have a new and thrilling day!! In the morning, Andy and Sam went to the local school to play with the children and teach a little English. Pictionary was deemed very successful and the kids loved the boys!!

To top the day off, I did a quiz which everyone seemed to love!!