Final day of the project! On arrival at Jai’s it was a very different scene. Everything was laid out for the dance and interviews. We waited for the film crew to arrive then did a few cheesy scenes of us all trooping from the bus / getting our work clothes on, etc. Hughes was called away for an urgent bit of tree felling, then we all headed to the verandah. Cue photographs with the family and an interview between the owner and Dunn (translated by Jai). We then all headed over to the house site for the same thing, all photographed and filmed by the media guys. It was Hughes asking the questions this time, and the woman who will be living there was gushing in her praise and prayers!
After we bade farewell to the locals we headed over to the dance area, where we were introduced to the local Rotary Club dignitaries who had come to watch. We all got our dohtees on, and the ladies got into their saris, then it was time for the dance. The guru was there, and actually did the singing (together with a local choir). We nailed the dance – even the stick bit! It was then time for presentations. We each received a memorial cheesy plaque from the Rotary Club and Jai got a (much cooler) ceremonial sash. After some speeches in painfully broken English we all sat down for the big photograph – the one that will end up on Jai’s wall. We finished off with some individual filmed interviews; pretty nerve-racking for some of the boys!
It was then time to leave, so after donating our Wellies to the locals we boarded the bus and headed home, via a brief stop in Alleppey. Hughes and Batley immediately set to work with organising a ‘survival sheet’ for the boys, booked hotels and sorted money transfers, before we all met to sign the big England flag for Jai. The man himself arrived at 7.30pm with Ben and Priya. Cue a spontaneous drinks party in the Kayaloram gardens. Vodka, rum and whisky flowed and we all pigged out on platters of fries, beef and fish sticks. Tasty! It was then over to the dinner area for the main feast. Hughes and Batley made food-based presentations to all the boys for various comedy occurrences during the week, before we gave Jai his whisky, cigars and England flag. He seemed very touched and returned the gift offering with one for us – an engraved memorial plaque of our trip. One for the Radley library!
With another strike looming tomorrow, most retired to bed after Jai left as it would be a very early start. We did get accosted by the chef on the way out, who seemed quite upset we were leaving. He phoned his wife in Manchester, for what purpose we do not know, and we spoke to her for a while – extremely random. That puts to bed the main part to the project; travels begin in the morning!
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