A LANKAN CHRISTMAS

So it was my first Christmas away from home. What a big step! Of course, it gets one contemplating the differences between the new experiences and the old, so I thought I'd tell you about some of the things I learnt about Christmas in Lanka.

1) A snowman is called an 'ice bubba'. I think that's pretty cool - no pun intended.

2) A common sight on the streets are the stalls selling inflatable Santas. The inflated Santas hang in lines from the tops of the stalls, or even from nearby trees.

3) I don't think I've heard so many Christmas Carols in a single Christmas season. The radio pumped them out on the days leading up to Christmas and even the days after. It seems that the most popular one would be "Mary's Boy Child", though I think "Little Drummer Boy" also got a fair amount of airplay. "Stay A Little Longer Santa" was one I'd never heard before and I have to admit that someone singing of Santa as their love interest was something I found a little unnerving.

4) I learnt that if you write Charismas Eve in a fancy font, nobody will probably even notice the spelling mistake.

5) Decorating houses with lights isn't done for Christmas. Instead, nativity scenes are the go. Straw nativities are made with statuettes placed inside to depict the events surrounding the birth of Christ. You can register your nativity for local competition. Judges will go around visiting registered nativities and will select a winner, who collects a cash prize. In fishing areas, the straw nativities are often made in the shape of a fishing boat.

6) I was showing my English students a selection of old Christmas cards. One had a picture of Santa standing by a chimney and this aroused the curiosity of my students. They asked me if there was any truth behind the legend of Santa Claus, so I explained the history behind the legend and how the legend is told in modernity. When I told the part about Santa going down and up the chimney, there were 'ah!'s of understanding all around. Now they understood why Santa was standing on the roof. A little explanation about reindeers and flying sleighs also helped to make things a little clearer.

As I told my (adult) students the story of Santa travelling around the whole world in one night and leaving presents for all the girls and boys, I found myself wondering how this tale must sound to those who have grown up without piles of presents under trees, without stocking stuffed with toys and treats. Would a child wonder why this magical man would travel the whole world with goodies galore and never come to them? Do they wonder if there's backpay? I wondered if part of the reason that so few of us spare a thought for the needs of others at Christmas is because we've grown up being told that Santa visits all children - kick back and enjoy your goodies and count on

Santa to take care of everyone else. At that point it seemed that the Santa story as it is told in modern society is actually a story of exclusion; we would like to believe that Christmas is for everybody and yet it we can choose to build it around a concept that is only for a few.

Wherever you are around this world, I hope this Christmas was a blessed time for you and your loved ones. More than that, I hope you were able to look around you and be able to give to another who might not have had a wrapped gift sitting under their tree. And, even more than that, I hope that this is something you will be able to do each and every day in the coming year.

CULTURAL SHOCK

Recently I have been reading a book about a family that moved to Nepal to work as volunteers in a small hospital. The author speaks about his expectation upon arrival and what he found surprising during his time there. I found myself relating to the subject of cultural shock. I cannot remember specific examples of people telling me that I would experience it, but I do feel that there must have been some reference to it. Maybe this is what I told myself, what others may have said, or what I have picked up from reading.

My understanding of cultural shock was that it was having to deal with the spicy food, hard beds, regular cold showers with no pressure, not being able to understand the language, being stared at no matter where you go. However reading this book I have come to see that what he experienced had crept into my everyday life. Because Cultural shock goes past the physical, it is also the way we treat others.

Culture is simply the way we do things in our country. The way we drive, talk, deal with strangers and interact with friends that have come to visit. For the most part these are not really right or wrong- it is just the way we do things. But, I have found myself seeing the way I do things to be the correct way-even the best way. I have assumed an arrogance that I did not even realise was there, it had crept up on me because I thought I was right. I have experienced Culture shock in a way that I didn't even realise.

Slowly I have had to learn that my way is not the only way. The Western world may have many advantages but it doesn't mean that it is all right. I may have had the benefit of an education that many here could not, but the way I treat people needs to be free of the condescension that is part of the everyday expat community here. However, respecting their culture doesn't mean I look the other way when someone is going to put butter on a burn. Or when the neighbours burn rubber products outside their house I will ask them to stop because it is not good for their kids.

LEARNING TO DRIVE

Sri Lankan driving definitely has a style all of its own. As anyone who has visited here can attest, it is enough to make an Aussie laugh, cringe, close their eyes or cry, depending on their temperament. You may ask yourself, "Where do these people learn to drive?". Allow me to enlighten you.

There are indeed driving schools, as we have in Australia. Aspiring drivers practise by driving the instructor around town (no task for the faint-hearted!), just as you might expect. However, it might be appropriate to mention that the vehicle is not a car, it's a van. The driver has maybe 6 other passengers apart from the instructor, sitting patiently in the back. They are the rest of the class. Lessons last for around 2 hours, with students taking turns at being the driver. Each student drives for around 15 to 20 minutes and spends the rest of the time as a passenger. I suppose you'd be hoping that the rest of your class are good drivers!

GIVING MY TWENTY CENTS WORTH

Recently we visited a lady who sews pillowcases for a living. After some number-crunching we deducted that she can work all day for an average profit of about 20 cents a day. What's more, while I found this astounding, she did not seem to think it was any great deal. She was happy for her income. My mind began to turn to contemplate the ways that I devour her day's income in the blink of an eye. Leaving the light on unnecessarily - a day's work. Those extra biscuits I just don't need - a day's work. Even a mouthful of my dinner - a day's work.

Puts things in a bit of a different perspective really. For one, it gives a new sense of appreciation for all the good things in life. It also gives a great incentive not to be greedy or wasteful. It is also a reminder to never underestimate the power of sharing - even the little things. Interesting what can happen when you start to see your life in twenty cent pieces.

AT THE BEACH

We Aussies love our beaches. I often miss the beautiful white shores and blue waters of home but that's not to say that Sri Lankan beaches don't have a charm of their own. There are crowded beaches, quiet beaches, tourist beaches, local hotspots, fishermen's beaches - something for almost anyone.

Local hotspots are quite an experience on weekends and public holidays, particularly in the hours leading up to sunset. These beaches rapidly become crowded with people enjoying the beachfront. Unlike Aussies, who tend to like a sunbake or a quiet dip, Sri Lankans really play at the beach. It's not a place for individuals, it's a place for families and groups. They will pull friends, usually fully-dressed, into the waters - the 'victim' usually protesting profusely but grinning widely. They don't usually venture too far into the water but splash and play along the shoreline. Men seem more likely to get into the water than women. Maybe this is because it is rare to see a woman with a swimsuit and, really, who likes going in the ocean fully-clothed?! People walk along the shore, collect shells or fly kites. Groups of young men may come down with a drum or a guitar to play, sing and dance. The beach is also a popular place for young couples. It is common to see the beach dotted with umbrellas, with courting sweethearts sitting cuddled beneath, shaded from the sun. And, like the Aussies, Sri Lankans are partial to a good old game of beach cricket.

Drying fish

Trying to catch the eye of the tourists.

Fishing boats.

Training maneuvers.

THE EVERYDAY THINGS

Preparing a meal

The kitchen tap. (There are public water taps at various places around town. Twice a day, people who don't have water connected at their house can go to one of these taps to fill up with water to take home. The water is shut off at other times.)

Grocery shopping

Want a cuppa?

Central heating, hot water system and oven . . . all in one.

Cleaning the yard

Laundry time

At school

MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE

We recently had a visit from some friends who helped us with some odd jobs we had lying around the house. The following snapshots are our way of paying tribute to them and saying thank you for all their hard work!