It was a real roller coaster of a morning.
I was booked in to visit a school yesterday, but at the last minute they asked for a swap, which I couldn't do as I was already going to a school today.
When I got up this morning I found they had emailed me during the night to see if I could come at 12.30 today, which was still a big ask as I was going o be at my school until at least 1.00.
Keep in mind that there would be at least an hour of travel between the two schools.
So I reluctantly had to send them an email back to say that although I would love to come, it would still not be possible.
So, having dealt with that problem, I headed off early to Paivankehran School, which I was confident of finding because I had been in this area twice already this week.
So I get off the bus and see that I am 20 minutes early and the school is in the vicinity. When I get there however, all I see is construction going on, to a massive scale.
And no kids!
I went up to the main gate, as the entire area was fenced off and asked the bloke on the gate where the entrance was. In broken English he told me that there were no kids here because they were building a new school. When I asked where the kids were he just shrugged, turned on his heels and walked away!
I found a Kindergarten next door and somehow explained my problem by showing them pictures of a map on my ipad. Lots of smiles, nods and happiness as they assured me that if I followed their directions everything would be sweet.
They told me that while the school was being rebuilt, the kids had been relocated to another campus.
When I asked if I should walk there they said yes (in their fashion) so off I went.
I was booked in to start my visit at 9.30, and by now it had reached 9.45 and I was was getting stressed.
Off I went, and the 'short walk' took 25 mins.
When I got to the school they sent me to, it was clearly the wrong one. I had been sent 25 mins in the opposite direction, so I had to make up this time, as well as 25 more minutes in the direction towards the school I was meant to be at.
By now I was more than an hour late, and any thoughts of catching a bus or taxi was out of the question as in my entire time there I saw not one taxi, and there were no buses in this part of the city.
Eventually I found my way, and just as I was entering the road to the school I came across the lady from the Kindergarten again, who gave me a horrified look and apologised profusely when she realised she had sent me to the wrong place.
I couldn't be annoyed with her, she was only trying to help.
The playground.
Various shots of the school.
Upon reaching the school, I found I had missed my slot with the Deputy Principal, as she had now left the school to attend a meeting elsewhere. (The Principal was away too, and had arranged for the Deputy to look after me)
Never mind they said, I was taken under the wing of their school support officer, Victoria.
Victoria is not a teacher, but works at the school organising the hiring out of the school facilities to outside groups in times when the kids are not using them. eg After school cooking classes in the Home Economics room, using the Library as a Youth Centre, etc.
Although not a teacher, she may as well have been one because she had just the richest pedagogical knowledge and awareness of the school processes that I could not have asked for a better guide.
With Victoria, an amazing person!
The next few hours were spent touring the school and spending time in various classrooms.
The staff were most welcoming, and the kids in particular were amazed and surprised that someone would travel so far just to visit their school.
Perhaps one of the best parts of the day was when I was waiting at the bus stop and a young girl came out of a big group, tapped me on the arm and said 'Moi', which is their 'Hello'. I remembered her from one of the classes I was in, and for her to come up and greet me again was quite touching.
Visiting Paivankehran was a great experience, and the fact that I was more than an hour late didn't stop me from learning so much from them.
Also, the way that they were just so gracious to me when I had stuffed up their plans by being so late.
Part of their staff room.
Regulations stipulate that they have a bomb shelter!!
This was my last school visit, bringing to 7 the number of schools I have been lucky enough to have visited. Had my plans worked out I should have taken that tally to 8.
So I now have the weekend to explore Helsinki some more. I haven't bothered to travel out of the city much, as I am enjoying just wandering and soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the sights, smells and buildings of this beautiful city.
Just by travelling to my schools this week I have been able to see lots of the areas and parts of other islands (especially today after walking so far in the wrong directions!)
I did discover a new pastry this afternoon, so the gym got a decent visit as payback afterwards!!
So tomorrow the plan is to hit the various markets, stock up on some pressies for the loved ones back home, and have a brave last attempt at some traditional Finnish foods.
I will be somewhat sad leaving Helsinki, although this may be tempered somewhat by the fact that I have to catch a bus to the airport at 4.30 on Monday morning!!
Until my next post,
Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment