Cycle Parades.. Trucking.. Big Match Fever!

Today is not any old Wednesday… in a previous year today would have been Cycle Parade! In other words free ticket to all the girl’s schools, for those who dare it. By this time a good no of lads would have been locked up, or be found kneeling infront of the Kurunduwatta, Bambalapititya and Kollupitiya police stations.

It’s the days many young lads dream of, school girls are excited and counting down till they hear a “R-O-Y-A-L” (or a “T-H-O-R-A”), in some cases even certain teachers of these girls schools are anxiously anticipating the inevitable. Principals of Girls schools are on high alert, and have the Police no on speed dial. Principals of Boys schools, won’t to get away from the phone, dreading the call that says “Sir, ogolange iskole lamai menna mehe yaka natanawa.. awith monahari karanna” or “Sir, apiiskole lamai tikak policiyata arang avilla thiyenne, karunakaral avilla egollanwa bara gannawada”. I petty the security guards, Probably their most dreaded day, and wis they could swap it duty or call in sick.

Along with jumping to girl’s schools, the original route for the parade is from school to the captains house. A coffin of Thomian is paraded a long (Kinda like our version of the Ashes) followed by the Cricket Team and what not. Obviously over the years only a few have stuck to the route and many have venchered to greener pastures. They say the “early bird gets the worm” likewise those who start early often get a free hand at things, before the cops coming knocking at the door. Often it has been a case where either Royalists set of the alarm at one school and go, and by the time the Thomians come they have a welcoming party to deal with… and vice versa.

But with all these “No Parades” “No displaying of school flag” nonsense, will the younger generation give up on the annual pilgrimage to the girls schools. It’ll be a cold day in hell, if I find a guy who’d rather be playing with his PS2 or listening to his IPOD than on the wall of LC screaming his guts out.

After all it’s tradition. If a world war didn’t stop the BIG MATCH (which incidentally is the 2nd longest encounter in history).. I don’t think Tiger Pussies or Mahinda Mama can keep young Royalists or Thomians from breaking tradition. Thoughts keep coming back of the “Wonder Years” where your truly was on the same wall (not very long ago, I say to myself). I will not get into all the escapades, so to ensure I have some sort of a reputation left, although I’m saddened and lucky at the same time that none of them have led to yours truly being “copped”. So an ardent trucker would call my adventures half-backed.

I like to think of that as an experience in it self. To feel that hard blow of that baton on your spine, running for your life while pleading. The closest I’ve come to is on the said wall where like a 100 of us were contemplating whether to jump or not. Holding us back (at the time) were about 25 security guards and maybe 5 cops. Abrave soul started a count down to jump.. 10.. 9.. 8.. 7.. only to be interupted by the sight of a Covered Lorry pulling up and Cops spring out of it like a magician pulling out rabbits from a hat. “JUMP” was heard and before the countdown was reached and we ran amock.

Everything is all in good fun. The guys will trouble girls maybe for some water and hat collection. (Although I doubt today’s generation goes on hat collections). I recall a Student proposing to a teacher once, and finishing a sum that was on the board. No abuses, rapes or any violations to my knowledge.

Along with the usual experiences, are a few unique ones. Jumping in the night before to LC and stealing the poor security guard’s cap (who was fast a sleep, preparing for the circus the next day). The same year being a Cop gave us the advantage of walking into most of the schools under the pretext of rounding up the boys and ushering them out side. Had to usher a few male teachers too, who seemed to be wanting to stick around just in case more boys jumped in. He he..

Contrary to popular belief, this day is equally (or even more) anticipated by the girls. Two discussions just last week have confirmed my belief.

1. My cousin who’s going to L.C.. was like “aiyooo.. this is my last year.. and they are not coming nooo?”.
2. An old teacher of ours who’s presently teaching at B.C. She was asking me “no cycle parade this year no putha? don’t you know these girls are pestering me.. even last year our boys (Royal) didn’t turn up, and they think I have told them not to come”..

So don’t worry girls.. you don’t need to be ashamed of it. 😉

Comments are open so you can share your experience and thoughts on Cycle Parade. Till then Long live Cycle Parade.. and long live Papare!(Tune into YesFM morning show, for Papare in the car/office)

*Some pics were taken off Parthi.

What ever the case Good Luck to both teams.. and Give us a match that lasts 3 days looong!! GO ROYAL!!