Fire Drill

Dong Mak Elementary School had fire drill today. Unlike similar activites, their drill was much more like a show. As we left the building the school had smoking machines set up outside the windows to give the impression of a real fire. Outside, the students all sat in classes around the edge of the school yard. The fire department began by lighiting a bonfire in the middle of the school yard and having teachers put it out with fire extinguishers. Then they set up the hose and had about a dozen teachers and students take turn holding the hose. All of them tried to spray the audience. At several points, an entire class or grade of students would make a break for it and run into the shower of the hose. Altogether, the production lasted about 45 mintues and forced the cancellation of two of the classes I had scheduled for this morning.