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
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Ramblings
I also now used to eating with my hands and no milk in the tea
I've got into the routine of school in the morning and orphanage in the afternoon so the days are all sorted.
School
School here is kind of odd sometimes - the teachers leave the class unattended or get the kids to sweep the grounds or ask us to take over the class so they can take a break.
Orphange
Communication at the orphanage is still challenging but we have now taught the children the Hokey Cokey, 'Do like I do' and dominoes. I gave some of the kids a wet wipe and some anti bacterial hand wash which smells nice and they were over the moon with this new thing they had acquired. We also bought some jigsaws, balls and paper for them to play with so they're made up. We did also take nail varnish but got told off by the matron as they're not supposed to wear it to school.
Wednesday
Learned on the local news that the school teachers are on strike for 2 days so that has thrown our routine out. Have organised a trip on Saturday to ride elephants and on Sunday I'm going to do the local ancient ruins (by bike)
We then helped Ranjani prepare dinner and wrote down some of her recipes. Ranjani also gave us a treat - cheese and crackers.
Next week is one of the full moon poya days so that will be a day off school too and lots of celebrations in the community.
The pace of life seems so slow here and yet time flies by so quickly
Thats all for now. Love Sue
I've got into the routine of school in the morning and orphanage in the afternoon so the days are all sorted.
School
School here is kind of odd sometimes - the teachers leave the class unattended or get the kids to sweep the grounds or ask us to take over the class so they can take a break.
Orphange
Communication at the orphanage is still challenging but we have now taught the children the Hokey Cokey, 'Do like I do' and dominoes. I gave some of the kids a wet wipe and some anti bacterial hand wash which smells nice and they were over the moon with this new thing they had acquired. We also bought some jigsaws, balls and paper for them to play with so they're made up. We did also take nail varnish but got told off by the matron as they're not supposed to wear it to school.
Wednesday
Learned on the local news that the school teachers are on strike for 2 days so that has thrown our routine out. Have organised a trip on Saturday to ride elephants and on Sunday I'm going to do the local ancient ruins (by bike)
We then helped Ranjani prepare dinner and wrote down some of her recipes. Ranjani also gave us a treat - cheese and crackers.
Next week is one of the full moon poya days so that will be a day off school too and lots of celebrations in the community.
The pace of life seems so slow here and yet time flies by so quickly
Thats all for now. Love Sue
Monday, 9 June 2008
Simple Pleasures
Well the weekend has come and gone. Saturday we caught the bus into town to do a little shopping. Everyone looks at the white people and the children are so friendly - they"ll come and get a seat as near to you as possible and then ask how you are and where do you live and can they have your phone number.
It was either cooler at the weekend or I"m getting acclimatised and I can"t believe how much I sleep. Everyone in the house is in bed by 9.30 and then we"re up around 6 but that's still a lot of hours.
Saturday evening I helped Ranjani make some rotis - Flour salt water and coconut then you cook them on a banana leaf on a griddle - they are really good.
Sunday saw the simple pleasures in life. I did my washing on the stone in the garden, ironing, tidied my room a little and then in the afternoon we walked the mile to the Hotel Aralyia. It was so nice to be cool for a few hours in the pool. Best of all - we had tea (with milk!!!)and cake - it made my day.
Today have been back at the school and orphanage and I think were going to have an ice cream on the way home.
I hope you had a great birthday Dave and Mam I hope you had a good afternoon with Dave Linda Gavin and Annie
Love you. Sue xx
It was either cooler at the weekend or I"m getting acclimatised and I can"t believe how much I sleep. Everyone in the house is in bed by 9.30 and then we"re up around 6 but that's still a lot of hours.
Saturday evening I helped Ranjani make some rotis - Flour salt water and coconut then you cook them on a banana leaf on a griddle - they are really good.
Sunday saw the simple pleasures in life. I did my washing on the stone in the garden, ironing, tidied my room a little and then in the afternoon we walked the mile to the Hotel Aralyia. It was so nice to be cool for a few hours in the pool. Best of all - we had tea (with milk!!!)and cake - it made my day.
Today have been back at the school and orphanage and I think were going to have an ice cream on the way home.
I hope you had a great birthday Dave and Mam I hope you had a good afternoon with Dave Linda Gavin and Annie
Love you. Sue xx
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Week 1 Sri Lanka
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
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
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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