GCD on Eskaya

We did a Global Citizenship Day for the Eskaya Tribe last week. This was organized by Pilar volunteers fitting it to the celebration of World Indigenous Day for the month of August.

We head off to Pilar early in the morning and had a bumpy dump truck ride to Lundag where the Eskaya tribe resides. They were not an uncivilized tribe wearing their cultural dresses which you might first think they are but a tribe already influenced by modernization and acquire the same privileges from our government.

The GCD gave us a chance to know their culture, history and language. And at the same time for them to know the UK culture. There was a long exchange of thoughts regarding the practice of divorce in the UK, the process of courtship in the Eskaya tribe and religious beliefs. The exchange of cultural information has lead them to understand each others differences.

I'm glad enough to be given a chance to be the translator. It wasn't really an easy task but I hope I delivered the message in the same context to people and to my co-volunteers. 

Emma did a braid on me

After work, is the most relieving part. We hadn't done anything productive for the day so I went straight home.

Emma has been practicing her weaving skills in making bracelets which is really fascinating. She made me choose some colors the other night so she can make one for me.  (But I guess I need to wait before it is done, since it takes time to make one). Well, for the meantime she tried to do a braid with my hair using yarn. I had misunderstood what she meant by braid though. She has done like a strand of hair covered with yarn. We don't actually do it here, but Emma said that they usually do it during holidays.

This is how it looked like.
 Still had it the morning after. :D

Braid in the Philippines is actually the criss-cross kind of hair weaving. But in UK this kind of hair weaving is called French Plait. That's a good knowledge, at least now, I know the difference. :D

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PS.

One thing I have known. Smiling always in UK will make them think you are crazy. It is funny though cause we Filipinos tend to smile to strangers without meaning to. It's a kind of acknowledging your presence and being friendly to other people. Or in some cases, a sign of greeting instead of saying something.