A day in the Sri Lankan Life

Thursday - up at 6.30 and have got into the habit of doing some gentle exercises before breakfast at 7.15.
No school today - so faffed with my bits in the room - tidying - sorting through things in my case - Yes Yas and Karen - I still faff pretty well

Nimal was drying the rice from the paddy fields in a cooking pot in the garden. Then it was all laid out on the patio to dry in the sun and will be sent to the mill to remove the husks before taking to sell at market.
Ranjani started to read my palm but then said she would do it later -- What did she see!!!! Still waiting for the reading.

Took a leisurely stroll to the internet cafe along the banks of the tank. It was just like strolling along the beach with a nice breeze to cool us down. Must say the long walks are keeping me fit.

Back by 12.30 for lunch - Rice Fish Pumpkin Dahl Bean Curry and what looked like seaweed. After dinner is the daily ritual of hand washing my clothes at the washstone in the garden. Chatted with Jenny and Rowena about their favourite subject - Food they miss from back home.

Jeep arrives to take us to the oorphanage and there are lots more children there as 'no school' today. Played our usual games and made a fuss of the new puppy - who has loads of fleas!!. Jenny and Rowena had traced some pictures onto paper for the kids to colour. We finished off the afternoon with the hokey cokey - pics on skydrive. The kids argue over who is going to hold the volunteers hands.

Back home and Nimal brings us ginger tea in the garden and we chat for half an hour. Ranjani collects 3 coconuts from the garden which she needs for cooking and takes the outer layer off using a 'vicious' looking blade

I catch up with my journal and ironing and then shower, check my hair for head lice - Yes Mam the kids at the orphanage have loads . Then tea at 7.15 and TV is on afterwards but don't watch it as I can't understand most of it. A bit of suduko and then bed by 9.30. OH IT'S A HARD LIFE!!

Friday After the orphanage I walked through the paddy fields with Nuwandi and Kimali to a rock that overlooks the fields. - A really tranquil spot.

Saturday Up by 6 today for an elephant ride - bare back. It was a real blowy drive to the place but worth while. The driver sat with me on my ride to stop me falling off but I suspect there were other motives as he held on to me a little too tightly. I can hear Karen and Yas laughing!!

That's all for today. Love to everyone especially Rubes, Ceri and Dave and of course Jeanette and David