Small excitement on Thursday evening as there was a huge spider on the wall and Jenny and Rowena and me were standing on the chairs. However I remembered my bush training and got the glass and removed the hairy being to the garden.
Last day at school on Friday and it was truly lovely. We joined in the morning exercise class and sang the Sri Lankan National anthem at assembly. We then spent some time teaching every grade and afterwards all the children were called together and they gave us flowers chocolate a note from one of the children, the teachers gave us a necklace each and a mask plaque for the wall. We gave all the children a small give and then had tea and cake and lots and lots of photos taken. It was an amazing morning and one little girl bowed to my feet as a sign of respect for the teacher!
After lunch we went to the orphanage and the children spent the afternoon making friendship bracelets for us and themselves and again we took lots of photos. At the end of the afternoon we gave them balloons and biscuits and sweets and said our farewells - sad moment.
On the way home we got Arunolis, our driver, to stop for the final icecreams and then we gave him a bottle of Arrack as a thank you. His smile was lovely to see.
Back to the family and Manjoo called round to say goodbye - weird as the family are in the room with us and half the time we have no idea of what's being said.
I spent the rest of the evening packing some of my stuff and chasing 2 huge cockroaches around my bedroom. I threw them out 4 times but they kept finding a way back in so in the end I agreed to let them stay in my room but made very sure my mossie net was firmly secured.
That's all from Sri Lanka - I've had an interesting experience here and looking forward to Nepal.
Love to you all. Speak to you next from Kathmandu or Pokara or Chitwan. Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday, 27 June 2008
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Life is dull after the weekend
Hi All
Thanks for the comments - made me laugh. Will try and upload pic of Manjoo and the monk on Saturday though it's only a view of his back but you'll get the picture.
Monday was back to school as normal and stopped at the bank lunchtime as I'd spent the 80 pound I'd come with. The bank was heaving - it was like Asda at christmas. But being 'a respected white teacher' I was called to the front of the queue - sat down under the air conditioning and received my personal service. The banks in the UK have a lot to learn. I felt like royalty!
Tuesday - went to the orpanage all prepared for giving an english lesson at pm. At 2.55 the monk arrived and all the children had to go and listen to him chant and deliver some 'lecture' - he was still going at 4pm when the jeep arrived to collect us, so no teaching for the day.
Spent the evening making gifts for the school and orphanage for our last day on Friday.
Wednesday - odd day today - the family seem very 'offish' like we've done something wrong - not sure if they've discovered that we haven't bought them the oven they were hoping for as a gift.
Thursday - the family are back to normal and I had a hug from Ranjani - so whatever I've done - I'm obviously forgiven.
Tonight will sort my stuff out for what I'm leaving behind for the school and orphanage.
Sorry not much to say today. Yas have a great holiday - live the memories as I know you will.
Love Sue.xx
Thanks for the comments - made me laugh. Will try and upload pic of Manjoo and the monk on Saturday though it's only a view of his back but you'll get the picture.
Monday was back to school as normal and stopped at the bank lunchtime as I'd spent the 80 pound I'd come with. The bank was heaving - it was like Asda at christmas. But being 'a respected white teacher' I was called to the front of the queue - sat down under the air conditioning and received my personal service. The banks in the UK have a lot to learn. I felt like royalty!
Tuesday - went to the orpanage all prepared for giving an english lesson at pm. At 2.55 the monk arrived and all the children had to go and listen to him chant and deliver some 'lecture' - he was still going at 4pm when the jeep arrived to collect us, so no teaching for the day.
Spent the evening making gifts for the school and orphanage for our last day on Friday.
Wednesday - odd day today - the family seem very 'offish' like we've done something wrong - not sure if they've discovered that we haven't bought them the oven they were hoping for as a gift.
Thursday - the family are back to normal and I had a hug from Ranjani - so whatever I've done - I'm obviously forgiven.
Tonight will sort my stuff out for what I'm leaving behind for the school and orphanage.
Sorry not much to say today. Yas have a great holiday - live the memories as I know you will.
Love Sue.xx
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Sunday
Went to our co-ordinators house - Manjoo, for dinner. Wasn't sure what to expect as he'd told us his house was small and he didn't cook and we weren't sure if it was just me and the girls.
He had a a really modern bright house in comparison to where we are staying. There was a sunken floor and an open roof where the water would collect when in rained - almost like a swimming pool with tree stumps for seats.
At 5pm the omlette and chips arrived in takeaway trays so we thought - that's a nice change as we've been eating curry and rice mostly. We had beer and there were 2 of his friends there - one who was the chef and the other who worked with tourists !!. While we were there a buddhist monk arrived and Manjoo scurried around hiding the beer and Arrack, then he sat at the monk's feet for half an hour listening to what he had to say.
While Manjoo was with the monk, one of his friends started to talk to me and the subect turned to visiting England and how a friend of his had married an older english lady He told me I could buy land for as little as a thousand pound in Sri Lanka and he could make me a 'gift'. I think I had a back handed proposal of marriage and he asked for my address - I DON'T THINK SO! Life is strange.
Anyway at 7pm - Dinner arrived - now I'm full from the beer, omlette and chips. There were tureens of rice with vegetables and sausages, a chicken dish, a beef dish, Noodles with veg, Potato and beans. I was stuffed Then we were chauffeured home. Bizarre evening though.
Rang our Rubes in the evening so I know she's doing OK but can't wait for me to get home. Love you Mam.
Apparently my Dave rang Rubes to ask for advice on 'bad' sunburn - I texted him to check he's ok but 'NO REPLY' so assume he is.
That's all for now but thanks for all your comments again - great to hear from you all
Love Sue.xx
He had a a really modern bright house in comparison to where we are staying. There was a sunken floor and an open roof where the water would collect when in rained - almost like a swimming pool with tree stumps for seats.
At 5pm the omlette and chips arrived in takeaway trays so we thought - that's a nice change as we've been eating curry and rice mostly. We had beer and there were 2 of his friends there - one who was the chef and the other who worked with tourists !!. While we were there a buddhist monk arrived and Manjoo scurried around hiding the beer and Arrack, then he sat at the monk's feet for half an hour listening to what he had to say.
While Manjoo was with the monk, one of his friends started to talk to me and the subect turned to visiting England and how a friend of his had married an older english lady He told me I could buy land for as little as a thousand pound in Sri Lanka and he could make me a 'gift'. I think I had a back handed proposal of marriage and he asked for my address - I DON'T THINK SO! Life is strange.
Anyway at 7pm - Dinner arrived - now I'm full from the beer, omlette and chips. There were tureens of rice with vegetables and sausages, a chicken dish, a beef dish, Noodles with veg, Potato and beans. I was stuffed Then we were chauffeured home. Bizarre evening though.
Rang our Rubes in the evening so I know she's doing OK but can't wait for me to get home. Love you Mam.
Apparently my Dave rang Rubes to ask for advice on 'bad' sunburn - I texted him to check he's ok but 'NO REPLY' so assume he is.
That's all for now but thanks for all your comments again - great to hear from you all
Love Sue.xx
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Perehera Evening and weekend
Manjoo sent his driver at 7.30 so that we could get to our 'good' seats for the start of the procession at 8. At 8.45 we're still waiting and watching Manoo's friends stop by - it's very odd to watch as the men here all hold hands when they are talking to each other or put theirs arms around each other's shoulders. The girls and I laughed. By 9.45 the actual parade started - there's no rushing them but it was worth waiting for. The costumes and dancers were really amazing. There were elephants and men twirling rings of fire, the young sri lankan girls looked beautiful in their costumes and the mens dancing was brilliant. It's a shame that I couldn't get any really good photos because of the light.
At the end of the evening Neel picked us up and drove like a demon to get out of the town. There were queues of traffic but he just tooted his horn, overtook, weaved in and out. We were driving along the small round which runs around the tank (reservoir)and Jenny Rowena and I were sure we were going for a late evening swim. Jenny got the hiccups and we laughed all the way home.
Friday morning - there was no school because of the Perahera so we mad kites for the orpanage in the afternoon and just spent the morning chatting. The kids loved the kites as much as we'd enjoyed making them.
Saturday we went to a market in a place I can't pronounce or spell, to buy souvenirs and presents for the family. On the way back we stopped at a wood carving place where they made beautiful furniture, elephants, wall mountings, trays and masks. It was interesting to watch the craftsmen at work.
I can't get over how cheap things are here. I bought a teapot, tea and biscuits, bracelets, a pair of earrings, a bottle of Arrack local alcohol) a wooden wall plaque,a bottle of coke, a chilled nescafe coffee and sun tan lotion plus body lotion and some sweets - all for 2 pounds. The secret too is to say 'Not tourist - teacher!' and then they will sell at the local price as the teachers are regarded with a great deal of respect. I'm waiting for them to bow to my feet as that's what the children do with the resident teachers.
Saturday afternoon was spent at the local hotel pool and on our way back one of the drink sellers on the side of the road, showed us around the ruins and then gave us a hot toddy to drink (medicinal purposes apparently)and when we offered money - he said no, which is a first here and has restored my faith in human kindness. He was also hand carving flutes - so may well buy one next week for all of 1 pound 50p
All in all a really good day.
Over and out now. Love Sue xx
At the end of the evening Neel picked us up and drove like a demon to get out of the town. There were queues of traffic but he just tooted his horn, overtook, weaved in and out. We were driving along the small round which runs around the tank (reservoir)and Jenny Rowena and I were sure we were going for a late evening swim. Jenny got the hiccups and we laughed all the way home.
Friday morning - there was no school because of the Perahera so we mad kites for the orpanage in the afternoon and just spent the morning chatting. The kids loved the kites as much as we'd enjoyed making them.
Saturday we went to a market in a place I can't pronounce or spell, to buy souvenirs and presents for the family. On the way back we stopped at a wood carving place where they made beautiful furniture, elephants, wall mountings, trays and masks. It was interesting to watch the craftsmen at work.
I can't get over how cheap things are here. I bought a teapot, tea and biscuits, bracelets, a pair of earrings, a bottle of Arrack local alcohol) a wooden wall plaque,a bottle of coke, a chilled nescafe coffee and sun tan lotion plus body lotion and some sweets - all for 2 pounds. The secret too is to say 'Not tourist - teacher!' and then they will sell at the local price as the teachers are regarded with a great deal of respect. I'm waiting for them to bow to my feet as that's what the children do with the resident teachers.
Saturday afternoon was spent at the local hotel pool and on our way back one of the drink sellers on the side of the road, showed us around the ruins and then gave us a hot toddy to drink (medicinal purposes apparently)and when we offered money - he said no, which is a first here and has restored my faith in human kindness. He was also hand carving flutes - so may well buy one next week for all of 1 pound 50p
All in all a really good day.
Over and out now. Love Sue xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
