We have just returned from two days in Colombo. Although it wasn't a particularly eventful trip, I feel the urge to tell you about the incidental things that happened over those couple of days. These little things aren't particularly spectacular - in fact, some of them are downright mundane - but they give a little glimpse into our world.
Sunday morning started as the sun was rising because we had a couple of hours drive ahead of us. Before we were to leave I was to find myself at the kitchen sink, scrubbing my thongs (footwear, people, I am Australian - and therefore refuse to call them flip-flops, slippers or any other silly name). I have a blue pair which I wore to the fish market recently. It was not my usual fish market so I was not expecting to have to walk across such a wet floor. I wouldn't normally consider myself to be a princess but I did have to draw the line at washing my thongs, which I figured were covered in something that must have been in contact with fish guts, before I would wear them again. My other pair is a pretty pink pair of Kustoms thongs that used to be my mum's. She commented that they probably weren't a sensible colour for a place like Sri Lanka but I thought I could just keep them to be my 'good thongs' - you know, for those times when I have to dress up. Anyway, I had to go into town the other day and, because I hadn't got around to washing the blue fish-water thongs yet I wore the pretty pink ones. I must admit I was feeling quite proud of actually owning a pair of 'brand-name' thongs in such an attractive colour and really enjoying how comfortable the writing felt on my feet - so much more comfortable than the cheap thongs that I would buy - and I really did feel pretty cool. Of course, you know how pride comes before a fall, and the next thing I know one of my thongs had disappeared from my foot. You see, some men were re-tarring the road and the not-quite-dry-yet tar had stuck my shoe to the road and I had walked on without it. After that first instance of confusion, I had to go back and peel my shoe off the road and put it back on my now-sticky foot. The black dots have only just washed off my foot. Anyways, so that is why I would find myself at the kitchen sink on Sunday morning (I don't have a laundry sink, but I do have two kitchens), scrubbing furiously at my thongs and thinking that perhaps I should have done this before I put on my gleaming white new t-shirt.
Sunday morning is a good time to drive to Colombo because the traffic is a lot quieter. We made it in reasonable time and I headed off to a class that I needed to run for a group of children. There were about 30 children in the group, ranging in age from about 4 to 14. We get the honour of being involved with several out-of-school classes and most of the groups tend to be made up the same way. I find that my Sinhala is getting better because I can occasionally throw in sentences without needing them translated. This always goes down a treat, especially if I'm telling a story and I take them - and my translator - by surprise by throwing in some unexpected Sinhala. It's usually bound to get some laughs! Actually, I find teaching English is a great way for me to improve my Sinhala at the same time.
After the class finished it was time for lunch, which we decided to have at a nearby hotel. Here we met a lovely gentleman who works for the hotel and who is also vice-president of the Origami Club of Sri Lanka. He made some origami birds for the boys and we got to talking. He showed us a sample from his repertoire of origami creations, the most notable being the set of 9 nesting origami boxes, the smallest of which held an origami crane about the size of a grain of rice, and a naughty frog that seemed to be alive and had quite a mind of its own. He also showed us one of his magic tricks but, although he tried to teach us to do it ourselves, we proved to be rather dense students and could not master it at all. It was quite difficult to believe this spritely, animated man could be all of the 79 years he told us that he was.
After lunch we scouted the area for a place where we could spend the night and finally settled on something adequate. This was no mean task, as the next day was poya - a Buddhist public holiday in honour of the full moon - and the long weekend meant that most places were full. The place where we stayed was adjacent to the beach, which also means that it was adjacent to the train track but so are most of the hotels in that area anyway. Besides, you find that once you know that trains will be passing from time to time you find that the noise doesn't really bother you all that much. Plus, to our delight, we were to find that our room had proper hot water - not just the standard luke-warm.
After a rest we headed down to the beach for some dinner. Being poya, and a long weekend poya at that, the beach was absolutely packed. It is not that unusual to see busy beaches in the evening, particularly at poya, but this was definitely the most crowded beach I've ever seen. We made our way to the same restaurant that we always visit for dinner when we find ourselves in this area. We watched the sun go down while we waited for our meal - it was a blazing red that night, like the Japanese flag, and didn't seem to set so much as suddenly disappear as though it had fallen through a hole in the sky - and let the children run on the sand and visit the park. That night we had the added surprise of finding that another diner at a nearby table was also an Australian. It is incredibly rare for us to come across Australians in Sri Lanka so, after some precursory conversation, we invited her to come and join us at our table. I find that it is incredibly enjoyable meeting other foreigners here in Sri Lanka and finding out about what has brought them to this part of the world. There are always so many different stories to hear.
The next morning we were off to meet with a group of teachers. These teachers are involved with schools that are run for children from tsunami camps and other poverty-stricken children. We have a collection of toys, books, games and puzzles that we lend out to teachers such as these so that they can extend their curriculum and offer lessons and activities that are fun, colourful and stimulating. We were there to collect the items that were previously borrowed and to allow them to choose some items for the upcoming few months. My kids also had fun demonstrating a selection of the toys.
After this, our work in Colombo was done. However, on the way home we did make sure that we stopped off at the shopping centre. There are some things that it is just a little difficult to find in our local stores so when we're in Colombo we're bound to make a trip to one or two of the special places where we know these little treasures might be found. Some of these things are always hard to find and Colombo is our chance to stock up for a while. Cheese is one of those items. Other items can usually be found locally but occasionally they go missing for a period of time (once imported goods are sold out you must wait until more come in before they are re-stocked). Tomato soup is one of those items; it went missing just before Christmas and is yet to return to the shelves of my local store. So, it was as proud owners of cheese and tomato soup we were to finally to return back home.
See, I told you that it wasn't anything spectacular, but now you know why my pink thongs have tar-sealed soles for extra-grip and why you can no longer find tomato soup at my special Colombo shopping centre.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS
Having spent one year in Sri Lanka we have discovered there are some stories that we hear from locals that are not found in your traditional guidebook. Although some are humorous, I am not intending for this to be an opportunity to poke fun at those that said them. It is just interesting to have an insight into some of the common thoughts found here. Some of these little gems were quite unknown to our Australian minds which is why, in a lot of cases, we are given incredulous looks when we show our ignorance in these areas.
Firstly, balm fixes everything. It doesn't matter if you have sprained your ankle or been bitten by a dog, Sri Lankan balm will ensure a quick recovery. Well, fingers crossed!!
When offering water to visitors it is worth knowing that cold water, although considered more refreshing in many countries, is thought to give you a cold and make you sick here. A bit like those mums you may know of who tell you going out without your jumper can give you a cold, I suppose. Along the same lines is the refusal to eat yogurt on a cold day as it will make you sick. No probs - more yogurt for me!
When you get a burn, butter is still considered the best thing to apply. In vain we protest with horrified expressions that it is the worst thing you could do. We are not believed. However, in a lot of cases the locals use coconut milk, which is probably a better option in the absence of ice. Of course, you could always try some balm!!
There is also the belief that somehow playing in the dirt can cause you to get a bad cough. The conversation went something like this "We took him to the hospital because he has a bad cough because he keeps playing in the dirt".
I used to get cracked heels in Australia but since being here I haven't had too much of an issue with it, which I am quite happy about. Well, I finally found a theory as to why we have these. Apparently, cracks in your feet let out the heat so you don't get too hot. Ironically enough, this is probably the best place to use that balm!!
Finally, although these beliefs may be unfounded, at least they will probably not cause any long term health problems. However, I am concerned about the belief that anything can be burnt and that it is the best way to dispose of rubbish. Just because plastic and rubber can be burned doesn't mean they should be burned. Maybe an "Its OK to drink cold water but it isn't OK to burn your tyres!!" campaign wouldn't go astray.
Firstly, balm fixes everything. It doesn't matter if you have sprained your ankle or been bitten by a dog, Sri Lankan balm will ensure a quick recovery. Well, fingers crossed!!
When offering water to visitors it is worth knowing that cold water, although considered more refreshing in many countries, is thought to give you a cold and make you sick here. A bit like those mums you may know of who tell you going out without your jumper can give you a cold, I suppose. Along the same lines is the refusal to eat yogurt on a cold day as it will make you sick. No probs - more yogurt for me!
When you get a burn, butter is still considered the best thing to apply. In vain we protest with horrified expressions that it is the worst thing you could do. We are not believed. However, in a lot of cases the locals use coconut milk, which is probably a better option in the absence of ice. Of course, you could always try some balm!!
There is also the belief that somehow playing in the dirt can cause you to get a bad cough. The conversation went something like this "We took him to the hospital because he has a bad cough because he keeps playing in the dirt".
I used to get cracked heels in Australia but since being here I haven't had too much of an issue with it, which I am quite happy about. Well, I finally found a theory as to why we have these. Apparently, cracks in your feet let out the heat so you don't get too hot. Ironically enough, this is probably the best place to use that balm!!
Finally, although these beliefs may be unfounded, at least they will probably not cause any long term health problems. However, I am concerned about the belief that anything can be burnt and that it is the best way to dispose of rubbish. Just because plastic and rubber can be burned doesn't mean they should be burned. Maybe an "Its OK to drink cold water but it isn't OK to burn your tyres!!" campaign wouldn't go astray.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
THE UNCOMFORTABLE THINGS
Recently I have been reading about issues associated with war and I came across the following excerpt:
"In one analysis the comparative cost of civilian (unprotected) casualties is $2 000 per square kilometre with conventional weapons, $800 with nuclear weapons, $600 with nerve gas weapons and $1 with biological weapons."
It got me thinking about how we use our money.
With $2000 I could blow hundreds of people to smithereens; I could buy a gold necklace with diamond pendant; or I could take an old lady off the street and put her in a nursing home where she will have shelter, food and healthcare for almost a year.
With $800 I could incinerate hundreds of people with searing heat, or doom them to suffer from the effects of nuclear radiation; I could hire a yacht overnight; or I could establish a small school for 20 pre-schoolers, pay their teachers for a month and provide them all with one meal a day for a whole month.
With $600 I could destroy the nervous systems of hundreds of people; I could perhaps stay a few nights at a 5-star hotel or could buy 5kg of rice for around 130 people.
With merely $1 I could destroy hundreds of people by purposely inflicting them to horrible, deadly diseases; I could buy myself a chocolate bar (if I'm lucky); or I could provide a day's wage for one of the just under 1 billion people across the world who is living on around $1 a day.
So, because I was pondering these things, I looked for a few more statistics. Now, please forgive me that I have not quoted my references as I am simply pondering and not trying to write an essay. I am hoping that my sources will not begrudge me sharing their statistics with you and I am hoping they have been as accurate as they could be. I'm not too sure how recent these figures are but I'm sure the picture they try to paint is still valid. With that in mind, this is what I found.
Almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day.
Around 30 000 children die each day due to poverty. It is held that every second child lives in poverty.
Less than 1% of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen.
I came across a table of statistics claiming that the world spent $780 billion on military costs and $400 billion on narcotic drugs. Europeans spent $105 billion on alcoholic drinks and $50 billion on cigarettes. In comparison, consider the following additional costs needed to provide access to basic services. $13 billion was quoted as being necessary to provide basic health and nutrition in developing countries. $12 billion could provide reproductive health for all women. $9 billion could provide water and sanitation for all and $6 billion could be used to provide basic education for all.
Maybe we could all use a little change.
"In one analysis the comparative cost of civilian (unprotected) casualties is $2 000 per square kilometre with conventional weapons, $800 with nuclear weapons, $600 with nerve gas weapons and $1 with biological weapons."
It got me thinking about how we use our money.
With $2000 I could blow hundreds of people to smithereens; I could buy a gold necklace with diamond pendant; or I could take an old lady off the street and put her in a nursing home where she will have shelter, food and healthcare for almost a year.
With $800 I could incinerate hundreds of people with searing heat, or doom them to suffer from the effects of nuclear radiation; I could hire a yacht overnight; or I could establish a small school for 20 pre-schoolers, pay their teachers for a month and provide them all with one meal a day for a whole month.
With $600 I could destroy the nervous systems of hundreds of people; I could perhaps stay a few nights at a 5-star hotel or could buy 5kg of rice for around 130 people.
With merely $1 I could destroy hundreds of people by purposely inflicting them to horrible, deadly diseases; I could buy myself a chocolate bar (if I'm lucky); or I could provide a day's wage for one of the just under 1 billion people across the world who is living on around $1 a day.
So, because I was pondering these things, I looked for a few more statistics. Now, please forgive me that I have not quoted my references as I am simply pondering and not trying to write an essay. I am hoping that my sources will not begrudge me sharing their statistics with you and I am hoping they have been as accurate as they could be. I'm not too sure how recent these figures are but I'm sure the picture they try to paint is still valid. With that in mind, this is what I found.
Almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day.
Around 30 000 children die each day due to poverty. It is held that every second child lives in poverty.
Less than 1% of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen.
I came across a table of statistics claiming that the world spent $780 billion on military costs and $400 billion on narcotic drugs. Europeans spent $105 billion on alcoholic drinks and $50 billion on cigarettes. In comparison, consider the following additional costs needed to provide access to basic services. $13 billion was quoted as being necessary to provide basic health and nutrition in developing countries. $12 billion could provide reproductive health for all women. $9 billion could provide water and sanitation for all and $6 billion could be used to provide basic education for all.
Maybe we could all use a little change.
Monday, February 2, 2009
PUTTALAM
Recently we visited Puttalam for the weekend. Puttalam is a small town, a couple of hours North of us (depending on what day you travel and what the traffic is like). What I find happens whenever I travel away from home in Sri Lanka is that I find myself thinking, "I like this place. I could really enjoy living here." Of course there have been the occasional exceptions but Puttalam was not one of them and I once again found myself thinking, "Hmmm, I could really enjoy living here."
Our purpose in Puttalam was to meet with some applicants for loans to begin businesses. We have (as regular readers of our blog may recall) visited Puttalam previously but this trip was a little more relaxed and we had more time to enjoy being there. Our first item of business was to find somewhere to spend the night and we were thrilled to find a lovely bungalow that we could hire for the night. After lunch we had time for a drive to the beach. We had considered a swim but beach accesses were via fisherfolks huts and we were a little shy of the attention we might attract. Instead, we headed back to the bungalow for a nap.
We had arranged to meet the loan applicants later in the afternoon, so that they would have time to come in from their various locations. We met with 4 people; one wanting to buy a large fishing net, one wanting to start a business selling vegetables and 2 others, each wanting a loan to help them in a business selling everday goods. We spent the afternoon asking them questions about their businesses and plans, as well as their family situations. It was quite saddening to learn from one woman that she was currently having to work in a factory, packing salt, to earn a little over $2 a day. At this stage we will be able to offer loans for two of these people, with the possibility of returning later on in the year with a loan for the others.
We returned to the bungalow for the evening. The caretaker there had a young dog that the boys enjoyed playing with. The next day we were able to see a little more of Puttalam and were able to meet a few more of the locals. Then it was time to return home. Although it was a fleeting visit, we look forward to more trips there in the future.
Our purpose in Puttalam was to meet with some applicants for loans to begin businesses. We have (as regular readers of our blog may recall) visited Puttalam previously but this trip was a little more relaxed and we had more time to enjoy being there. Our first item of business was to find somewhere to spend the night and we were thrilled to find a lovely bungalow that we could hire for the night. After lunch we had time for a drive to the beach. We had considered a swim but beach accesses were via fisherfolks huts and we were a little shy of the attention we might attract. Instead, we headed back to the bungalow for a nap.
We had arranged to meet the loan applicants later in the afternoon, so that they would have time to come in from their various locations. We met with 4 people; one wanting to buy a large fishing net, one wanting to start a business selling vegetables and 2 others, each wanting a loan to help them in a business selling everday goods. We spent the afternoon asking them questions about their businesses and plans, as well as their family situations. It was quite saddening to learn from one woman that she was currently having to work in a factory, packing salt, to earn a little over $2 a day. At this stage we will be able to offer loans for two of these people, with the possibility of returning later on in the year with a loan for the others.
We returned to the bungalow for the evening. The caretaker there had a young dog that the boys enjoyed playing with. The next day we were able to see a little more of Puttalam and were able to meet a few more of the locals. Then it was time to return home. Although it was a fleeting visit, we look forward to more trips there in the future.
Friday, January 30, 2009
BRENTON'S 8th
We only had a week back in Sri Lanka before Brenton's birthday was upon us. Eight years old already - amazing! We allowed him to decide what he would like to do for his birthday and he chose to have a party at McDonalds after school.
We had to re-wrap his presents before he got home as they had been unwrapped at the airport in Malaysia before we boarded. Those guys scrutinised everything and your efforts were in vain, Mum & Miwa, because they didn't just neatly open the packaging but tore it open like it was their present. Anyway, when the kids got home from school there was just enough time for him to tear them open again (he made less mess than the airport staff!) and then we were off to pick up a school friend and begin the almost-hour-long drive to McDonalds.
It was a pretty routine McDonalds party. The kids played balloons or played in the play area. They played musical chairs, 'pick-up-the-straws' (straws are thrown around the room and the kid who picks up the most wins) and treasure hunt (a sticker is hidden in the room and the kid who finds it is the winner). And, of course, there was food, cake, presents and party bags. Pretty much what you might expect for a McDonalds party anywhere, except this one came complete with two young children standing outside the window, watching proceedings with great curiousity. Of course we couldn't resist but to give them some cake and a lolly bag too.
We had to re-wrap his presents before he got home as they had been unwrapped at the airport in Malaysia before we boarded. Those guys scrutinised everything and your efforts were in vain, Mum & Miwa, because they didn't just neatly open the packaging but tore it open like it was their present. Anyway, when the kids got home from school there was just enough time for him to tear them open again (he made less mess than the airport staff!) and then we were off to pick up a school friend and begin the almost-hour-long drive to McDonalds.
It was a pretty routine McDonalds party. The kids played balloons or played in the play area. They played musical chairs, 'pick-up-the-straws' (straws are thrown around the room and the kid who picks up the most wins) and treasure hunt (a sticker is hidden in the room and the kid who finds it is the winner). And, of course, there was food, cake, presents and party bags. Pretty much what you might expect for a McDonalds party anywhere, except this one came complete with two young children standing outside the window, watching proceedings with great curiousity. Of course we couldn't resist but to give them some cake and a lolly bag too.
Monday, January 26, 2009
CATCHING UP
So, those in the know will be aware that we were back in Australia for the month of December. We were there for so many reasons, including catching up with family and friends (as well as healthcare and taxes!). So, before we move on to the year ahead, I would love to take a moment to catch you up on the month that was.
Our stopover in Malaysia on the way back to Sri Lanka became a holiday to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. We spent four days in Kuala Lumpur. While there we spent a day visiting the zoo.
One of the great joys of being home in December was being able to spend Christmas with our loved ones.
Our trip reunited us with family.
The kids got to spend time with their friends . . .
. . . and we got to spend time with ours too.
Our trip reunited us with family.
The kids got to spend time with their friends . . .
. . . and we got to spend time with ours too.
Our stopover in Malaysia on the way back to Sri Lanka became a holiday to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. We spent four days in Kuala Lumpur. While there we spent a day visiting the zoo.
We explored Chinatown, enjoying the cuisine and grappling with chopsticks.
This is the place where we enjoyed a 'fish spa'. You sit on the edge, place your feet in the tank and hundreds of fish come and nibble the dead skin off your feet and in between your toes (weird fish!). It's a peculiar sensation. The boys couldn't sit still long enough so they had a hand spa instead, although they seemed to enjoy it more like a petting zoo.
We visited Lake Titiwangsa Gardens which, although it is no longer home to the giant 'Eye on Malaysia' ferris wheel, is home to an extensive children's playground and exercise park.
We had dinner at the revolving restaurant in the KL Tower one night. Although it is not the tallest building in KL, it is the highest view of the city that is open to the general public. Without fear, Jaymon was, in an instant, laying on the glass to try and gain a full appreciation of the city below him!
We also spent a day at Sunway Lagoon. We hope that you will not be disappointed that we can't share any pictures with you but our main objective there was fun and not photos. The place was awesome and we had heaps of fun on the rides and in the water park.
Kuala Lumpur was a fantastic place to visit - quite a change from both Sri Lanka and Australia. We mastered the public transport with pride, using it to ferry ourselves to and from the many sights. The shopping opportunities were astounding. How much shopping could possibly be done in one city?!! From malls that would easily be 20 storeys high to malls dedicated entirely to technology; from malls with their own theme parks to malls with their own ice-skating rink (it was like dinner and a show!) and bowling alley. There was so much to see and do and we clearly only scratched the surface - and that was only Kuala Lumpur! Here's hoping we get back some day.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
WE ARE BACK
This week marks the one year mark of our stay in Sri Lanka. Last year was such a whirlwind of activity that it just flew by. It was really good to have a break back in Australia over Christmas and catch up with our family and friends.
As we look ahead we are hoping to really consolidate and build on our achievements from last year. We are looking to increase the number of English classes we are involved in. We are hoping to increase the size of our current classes and start three new ones by the end of next year.
The small business loans are only going to continue to grow and managing them will give us plenty to do. We will incoperate the visits to these with our new mobile resource library which will be great. We are really looking forward to what this year holds.
As we look ahead we are hoping to really consolidate and build on our achievements from last year. We are looking to increase the number of English classes we are involved in. We are hoping to increase the size of our current classes and start three new ones by the end of next year.
The small business loans are only going to continue to grow and managing them will give us plenty to do. We will incoperate the visits to these with our new mobile resource library which will be great. We are really looking forward to what this year holds.
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