An agricultural field trip - rice harvesting

In long-sleeve dress today, toting my wellies as well for an early start - rice picking detail.

Actually ashamed to admit I have never been near the business end of rice production; have fallen into one or two paddis, but this will be my first time in daylight!

One thing I do not get, though, is why we were driven a good 40 kilometres up into the hills and half way to the next city along the expressway. It's not as thought there aren't a few thousand rice fields in the immediate vicinity of the school (and one of the Directors owns a farm - I'm sure he wouldn't mind some cheap labour!)
What a mad idea, then!?

Role model or stereotype?  Mild Seven Man

Ah, it's a media idea...several photographers awaiting us as we pulled up to a commercial rice picking field. A petting zoo kind of thing, only with our favourite ceral instead of animals. Kids organised into lines to bow & chant greetings to another kindy group, who return the compliment. As a long, slow moving snake we cross the mountain road that bike riders love to thrash with its rolling curves; fortunately none today. Ushered up a boggy path to find a few old blokes taking a break chugging on Mild Sevens, oblivious to 80-odd pairs of little lungs nearby. Why would they think my Japanese likely to be better than all the locals in a line? Put me in a tough spot as my brief is to not speak Japanese...did my best!

As this was obviously a BIG DEAL - highlighted on the calendar & reminders all last week, I really thought this was going to be a getting down & sweaty kind of day. Silly me. I was beckoned to lend an adult hand, showing my classmates how to cut rice with a scythe. Yes, we do this a lot in Sheffield, so no problem. Erm. 15 of my mates at a time were frog marched along the side of the somewhat typhoon battered field (yesterday storm did a lot of damage further south and west) at a time, buddying up with a big person.

Nearly in the field

Grab a handful of stalks near the base in left hand, one nice slice with the small hand-held scythe below that, and you should have a small sheaf of freshly harvested rice to place on the grass verge.

Now, how do you say all that in a way a 5 year old will comprehend while ankle deep in mud with a small but keenly sharp scythe in your hand (and more worryingly, theirs!) and they have no idea how a) rice grows b) scythes work c) boots operate in sticky mud d) quickly a knicked artery will have you in strife! My buddy cutter had no idea what I was on about & started trying to sever his arm at the wrist, fortunately with the backside of his scythe. Plop. Bum in mud. Frantic waving of scythe hand as boots stuck (see c)...just vertical in time to hear "OK, your turn has finished"

Quickly - Peppa Pig shows are longer than your turn!

Off the gallant 1st XV trooped to be replaced by the next team. What? Wait up. We are going to get one, 4 minute turn here? We drove all this way, all revved up & a whole field to go at, and we get one poxy go? I won't even get a sweat on and I was so looking forward to doing a Harrison Ford in Witness... Every child had a turn, slashing a few fronds but, importantly being caught in delecto by the photographers (some nice lenses on display) especially near me (ah, my role explained).

Not even a packed lunch? We are going back to school now? Come on guys, there's a beautiful lake at the top of the hill. Think sandwiches, day trip?

We spent more time in the car park hosing down muddy boots (Peppa Pig anyone?) than we did in the actual paddi. The minibus drivers watched with hawkeyes, lest a fleck of mud make any sign of approaching the sparklingly clean vehicles (look nice, chaps, but where are the seatbelts, roll cage etc). And so the drive back to curry & rice at base.

Somewhat of a missed opportunity, methinks! Where was the chat from a farmer, or explanation of the growing cycle? Irrigation & drying process? Show how the new harvesters work? See what the actual rice looks like? Collect samples, draw a picture, English words like 'hold', 'cut', 'be careful', 'left/right hand'...

Guess I shouldn't be grumpy; I was invited along & I joined in. Part of the moulding exercise.