A Swine Flu Parade

It all began with the arrival of 3 government trucks decorated with Swine Flu posters at around 11 one morning. I wondered what this could possibly be about. Had they finally come for the American teachers who were in the newspaper for their possible H1N1 infection? Were we in for a long assembly on health during Swine Flu season in India? My questions were answered just after lunch by my new housemate/co-worker, Addaia, who returned from her class 20 minutes early saying something about a Swine Flu parade. Confused and excited for another weird Kadod event, I emerged from my house to find this scene in the courtyard:


It seemed that the government officials were there to raise awareness in rural Gujarat on the H1N1 virus. What better way to do this, of course, than a parade of 300 excited 9th grade students through all of Kadod. Each student was equipped with a sign and they were off. Of course, as this was a parade in India, much of the marching was done next to speeding cars and trucks.


After about 10 minutes, the students had a wonderful idea to begin chanting things like "Swine Fluki, hi hi!" and "H1N1, hey hey!" It was an amazingly entertaining experience for students and teachers alike.


What better way to begin a second semester of teaching at Kadod High School?