BANNERS ON MOUNTAINS, CHILDREN'S DORMITORIES

I find myself flying over mountains where a fair amount of activity is going on. As I look around me, I realize that I'm in some kind of small aircraft, and not flying on my own volition.  That makes me feel a bit disappointed, but I have no time to dwell on this because I'm more interested in what is going on below me.


The mountain cliffs are very close to a large body of clear dark blue water.  There is also a strand of dark green trees just by the base of the cliffs, which are in various shades of gray and brown, and sculpted into vertical waves by the brisk winds.  The sky is a deep powder blue with fast-moving fluffy white clouds.  My attention is drawn to the many people that are scaling the cliffs, like ants around an ant-hill, and once they are all on the top, they wave to us, as the plane loops around and flies by again.  


A signal is given and suddenly huge banners start unrolling down the cliff faces.  They're beautifully designed in royal blue and white, and remind me of the Greek flags.  Once they're all unrolled, by some trick or another, the banners begin to dance by being folded into pleats which change the graphics into different pictures.  


Before I can determine what these pictures represent, I find myself transported to the mountain top and in a beautiful pine forest.  The air is rich with the pine aroma - I inhale deeply, and continue along the narrow path.  I feel as though I've been here before, but can't quite remember when.  Eventually I come to a building that is obviously a school of some sort.  It is large and rambling, there are children running around in the well-kept grounds, and seeing this I remember that I am to have a tour here.  Inside, I am taken to the very top floors where the dormitories are.  There are about four large, long rooms that are equipped with bunk-style beds, the top bunk having an extension of curved railing at the head, which accommodates the pillows.  Each bed is made up with a colourful quilt, each one of different design.   


Before I have a chance to have a good look, a door opens and a small elderly woman enters.  Her silver hair is pulled back into a severe bun and she is dressed in almost a uniform-style gray dress, but in spite of her stern appearance and no-nonsense attitude, she is warm and friendly, and anxious to show off her domain.  It is obvious she is the "den mother" to the many children.  My only concern is that the dormitories would be very hot in the summer, and as I voice this, a little girl skips through and says that it's as hot as 90 degrees.  Another child says that it's really much hotter, but neither seem overly distressed over it.


I continue with my tour...