We were warned in advance by students not to expect some of them in evening class because, ‘T’cher, comedy show in the pa’goda!’ Well in that case we were going too! No one wanted to miss out on the comedy roadshow featuring one of the nation’s beloved comedic actors Peakmi. Yet they attended class dutifully if not a little more eager to leave than usual. The three of us overseas volunteers Emilly, Yuto and I decided to go to the show with the Conversation students. It felt like the whole village and people from its
surroundings, were headed to the same destination as we walked toward the music with the lights of passing motos and the lit up pagoda guiding the way. A ‘lomok’ (large tuk-tuk) driver carrying a group of festival goers announced a cheer for the Teachers as they drove past; everyone was excited and in good spirits.
There was a crowd seated on mats in front of the stage but more people were milling around checking out the food carts and trying their hand at the fair games. The three of us had a game of balloon darts to no avail and switched to trying some local festival food. I played it safe with caramel popcorn while Emilly had some meat buns and Yuto tried the cockroaches. They must have been good because he went for seconds.
As the night carried on the crowd gathered at the stage in anticipation for the headlining act, Peakmi and his crew. Our hospitable students made sure we vertically challenged teachers got a good view but I couldn’t understand anything that was happening. Language and cultural barriers prevented any comprehension of the show as kungfu masters, fair maidens, elderly fools and demonic spirits took to the stage. Instead, I watched, in a warm glow, alongside my new neighbours and friends came together for a laugh in their typically amiable and unguarded way.
