Ian, a student in one of ETA Ian Morse’s classes, invited Ian to her birthday party. So early on Friday morning, Ian picked up Ian to go to Ian’s house just a short drive away. Now, Ian’s student actually has a much larger name, but since the first day of class in August, she has introduced herself with the same name. It’s unlikely we’ll get mixed up, but based on the treatment Mr. Ian received at his student’s birthday, you might have guessed they did.

Ian’s whole family was at the small but excited gathering (her mother also had the same birthday), and Mr. Ian spent all morning with the family eating, playing chess, cutting the cake and of course taking a lot of pictures. Ian’s family even insisted on a stroll through town with the cattle-powered cart. Everyone who could fit – mostly kids – piled in the back as they greeted everyone who passed by in the Gorontalo language, simultaneously teaching Mr. Ian the language. The greatest danger though, was being hit by the bodily debris flicked up by a cow’s tail. But everyone was safe in the end.

Ian Morse is currently teaching at MAN 2 Gorontalo, North Sulawesi