Have settled into the routine of school in the morning and orphanage in the afternoon. Friday I took the Grad 4 and 5 classes on my own, but the classes are really small. There are only 25 pupils in the school - I could have been sent to one with 600. The kids in the orphanage are always pleased to see us and you don't have to do much to amuse them, just be there to talk to or play cards or draw with them. They love being given stickers.
I've struggled with the spicy food and eating with my hands and the host family stand and watch you eat for a while which for me is really off putting. Friday night though we had a vegetable broth and spoons to eat with. It was like home made stew without the meat and was perfect. Later on Rowena and Jenny made Aero hot chocolate which brought some normality back to my diet.
We walked to the 'Tank (big reservoir) in the evening to watch the sunset. The Tank supplies the water to the canals and paddy fields. As we walked along the canal you could see all the people bathing and washing their clothes. The cows just wander along the paths and the main roads and there are so many strays dogs, the government has vaccinated them against rabbies. It's strange - there are so many cows but no-one milks them so we always drink black tea and coffee.. No dairy products at all here but apparently they get their calcium from the fish they eat - they don't eat meat either except chicken.
I now have over 15 mossie bites which are in places they shouldn't be able to get to. Is it because I'm the new kid on the block - fresh emat!!
Went shopping in town this morning and bought a blouse for less the 2 pounds. It is very cheap here and you can haggle when they try to charge you 'tourist' price by saying that you are a 'teacher' - this carries a lot of respect and gets you a better deal.
We're going to the local hotel tomorrow for some sun bathing and a bit of luxury.
That's all for now.
Love Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxx
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Culture Shock
Well my first day in Colombo was just about being fed. The hotel just kept giving me food and you all know me not the greatest of appetites. They serve coffee and tea with mounds of sugar. Lunch at the hotel was a plate full of rice plus five different dishes. AT about 5 they asked me if I'd like an orange juice and along with it came a pastie, spring roll, samosa and a meat ball, he then asked me what time I wanted dinner.
The cost of living here is ridiculously cheap - I went to the local fashion store and bought a really nice skirt for 3 pouns
Anyway I survived the 6 hour journey from Colombo to Polonnaruwa and saw quite a bit of this very green country. Was welcomed by Ranjani and Nimal and their 2 daughters Nuwandi and Kamali, they are lovely people who are always smiling. There are 2 other volunteers here - Jenny and Rowena from Oban in Scotland.
Ranjani and Nimal grow most of their own food - there is rice in their paddy fields and Avocados,Mangos, Guava, Coconuts, Bananas, Jack fruit, Sour sop, cinnamon, curry leaves ginger tea and chillis all grown in the garden. Any fish we have for tea is caught in the local lake. They eat the main meal at lunchtime and they stand and watch you eat - it's very strange, though Rowena assured me it will wear off.
There are loads of mossies, ants and possibly rats (though I've not seen any of those)
A 3 striped squirrel eats from the rice table in the garden
You don't wear shoes in the house
They don't use toilet paper
There is no hot water so showers are cold and quite often you share the shower with the resident toad. The cold showers are welcome though as the heat here is so humid - I've sweated from every pore in my body.
Yesterday I wasn't feeling too clever - I think all the spicy food and lack of fluid and travelling so long gave me a touch of the runs but today I feel a lot better.
That's my update for now. Mam - hope you got on OK at the hospital.
My phone does work here but you must remember that I am 4 and half hours ahead of you and we are often in bed by 9.
At least I know I can get to the internet but it won't be as often as South Africa.
Love to all. Sue. xxx
The cost of living here is ridiculously cheap - I went to the local fashion store and bought a really nice skirt for 3 pouns
Anyway I survived the 6 hour journey from Colombo to Polonnaruwa and saw quite a bit of this very green country. Was welcomed by Ranjani and Nimal and their 2 daughters Nuwandi and Kamali, they are lovely people who are always smiling. There are 2 other volunteers here - Jenny and Rowena from Oban in Scotland.
Ranjani and Nimal grow most of their own food - there is rice in their paddy fields and Avocados,Mangos, Guava, Coconuts, Bananas, Jack fruit, Sour sop, cinnamon, curry leaves ginger tea and chillis all grown in the garden. Any fish we have for tea is caught in the local lake. They eat the main meal at lunchtime and they stand and watch you eat - it's very strange, though Rowena assured me it will wear off.
There are loads of mossies, ants and possibly rats (though I've not seen any of those)
A 3 striped squirrel eats from the rice table in the garden
You don't wear shoes in the house
They don't use toilet paper
There is no hot water so showers are cold and quite often you share the shower with the resident toad. The cold showers are welcome though as the heat here is so humid - I've sweated from every pore in my body.
Yesterday I wasn't feeling too clever - I think all the spicy food and lack of fluid and travelling so long gave me a touch of the runs but today I feel a lot better.
That's my update for now. Mam - hope you got on OK at the hospital.
My phone does work here but you must remember that I am 4 and half hours ahead of you and we are often in bed by 9.
At least I know I can get to the internet but it won't be as often as South Africa.
Love to all. Sue. xxx
Monday, 2 June 2008
Sri Lanka - First Impressions
Flight from Singapore to here was on time and seemingly quick (3 1/4 hours. It seemed to take ages through immigration and once again I stood in anticipation of my bag but no sign. Having asked for help we walked round to the other side of the belt only to find that someone had already taken it off (panic over!)
Was met and taken on the hour drive to the hotel. Well what an experience - Dave you'd love driving here - dodgems but no fairground. Traffic was nose to tail but not stopped - always moving - cars, motor bikes buses, 3 wheeler cars called tuk tuks - all weaving in and out at what I thought was high speed - horns tooting but apparently very few accidents. SOunds like Cairo Yas.
It's been raining heavily here and the river was high. Most of the buildings looked run down but amongst this 'poverty' stood the buddha statues in all their glory - immaculately clean and ornate.
Arrived in tact at the hotel which is in a tiny street next to the British High commission.
My room is small but clean and tidy with a dodgy lock which I couldn't open on first attempt - thought I was locked in for the night. I'm only here overnight and will leave for Polonnarawu at 6.30 tomorrow morning.
Haven't ventured out yet - the manager of the hotel has kindly let me use his pc. It's very humid here and I think I'll need to but some light clothing.
That's all for now as I don't want to take advantage
Hope you get on all right at the hospital Mam. Jeanette - have a great cruise
Love Sue.xx
Was met and taken on the hour drive to the hotel. Well what an experience - Dave you'd love driving here - dodgems but no fairground. Traffic was nose to tail but not stopped - always moving - cars, motor bikes buses, 3 wheeler cars called tuk tuks - all weaving in and out at what I thought was high speed - horns tooting but apparently very few accidents. SOunds like Cairo Yas.
It's been raining heavily here and the river was high. Most of the buildings looked run down but amongst this 'poverty' stood the buddha statues in all their glory - immaculately clean and ornate.
Arrived in tact at the hotel which is in a tiny street next to the British High commission.
My room is small but clean and tidy with a dodgy lock which I couldn't open on first attempt - thought I was locked in for the night. I'm only here overnight and will leave for Polonnarawu at 6.30 tomorrow morning.
Haven't ventured out yet - the manager of the hotel has kindly let me use his pc. It's very humid here and I think I'll need to but some light clothing.
That's all for now as I don't want to take advantage
Hope you get on all right at the hospital Mam. Jeanette - have a great cruise
Love Sue.xx
Sunday, 1 June 2008
In between destinations
Well left Johannesburg yesterday and its strange what you see on the roads. The shuttle bus stopped at the traffic lights and there were loads of street sellers coming up to the cars with dvds, leaflets and all sorts of things for sale. I'm amazed there's not accidents.
Anyway - caught my flight to Singapore and I must say I'm dead impressed with Singapore airlines. Air hostesses in traditional costumes, foot rests, hot towels when you're seated and several times during the journey for you to freshen up. Menus and the food was excellent, quality pillows and blankets, loads of overhead luggage space and I was lucky enough to have a spare seat next to me. A choice of 55 movies, 3 magazines, purple socks - what more could I ask for.
Arrived in at 5 am and on the way to the hotel there were loads and loads of joggers, I know some countries are keep fit fanatics but I thought this is ridiculous - nearly everyone I saw was jogging and this was 5.30 in the morning. Turns out there was a marathon going on.
Hotel is ok but when I arrived at that early hour was told I could not check into the room until 12 unless I was prepared to pay for an additional half day which is not worth it considering I have to leave by 4am tomorrow morning for my flight to Colombo.. As you can imagine I'd been travelling for 24 hours with little sleep so was not best pleased. Its the first time I've actually felt close to tears, but once I'd got the rude receptionist to let me in the room at 11 and had a few hours kip, I was ready for battle. Needless to say I've completed the feedback form which firmly reflects my displeasure.
Anyway - that's behind me now so I'm off for a bicardi and coke and an early night.
Love to all. Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxx
Anyway - caught my flight to Singapore and I must say I'm dead impressed with Singapore airlines. Air hostesses in traditional costumes, foot rests, hot towels when you're seated and several times during the journey for you to freshen up. Menus and the food was excellent, quality pillows and blankets, loads of overhead luggage space and I was lucky enough to have a spare seat next to me. A choice of 55 movies, 3 magazines, purple socks - what more could I ask for.
Arrived in at 5 am and on the way to the hotel there were loads and loads of joggers, I know some countries are keep fit fanatics but I thought this is ridiculous - nearly everyone I saw was jogging and this was 5.30 in the morning. Turns out there was a marathon going on.
Hotel is ok but when I arrived at that early hour was told I could not check into the room until 12 unless I was prepared to pay for an additional half day which is not worth it considering I have to leave by 4am tomorrow morning for my flight to Colombo.. As you can imagine I'd been travelling for 24 hours with little sleep so was not best pleased. Its the first time I've actually felt close to tears, but once I'd got the rude receptionist to let me in the room at 11 and had a few hours kip, I was ready for battle. Needless to say I've completed the feedback form which firmly reflects my displeasure.
Anyway - that's behind me now so I'm off for a bicardi and coke and an early night.
Love to all. Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxx
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