To all those who read this every day, I apologize for the delay in posting. I am in Colombo so I have been busy taking of things here.
I left Gunfire on Christmas Day as Amal's sister and her children arrived, leaving no room there. I have been hearing so many things about the sister, niece and nephew from Amal and Shanti, all of them bad. However, contrary to my usual instinct, I was keeping an open mind, thinking that there are 2 sides to every story. Well, bugger the open minded approach! If anything, Amal understated things. Even before I met them, this is what happened.
Everyone had been up until 3 in the morning for 2 nights running with airport pickups and then a family party for their uncle's 80th birthday. That is no big deal except for Mahender, the driver. The roads here a treacherous and it is the monsoon season with a lot of flooding and landslips, so he has to be alert. Of course, they all want to get back on Christmas Day as it was Manil's birthday, but Avanti (the sister) phones up at 7 in the morning saying she wants to get going. Amal tells her that Mahender needs more sleep. She has a tantrum, but can't really do anything. Amal and Mahender go to their apartment around 8 to pick them up and they are not ready for an hour. So what was the big deal about leaving at 7?
Finally, they hit the road only to make 6 or 7 stops on the way to buy a bunch of crap. It takes them 5+ hours to get to Kandy. So now, back at Gunfire we have been waiting for them for breakfast and lunch and Manil is diabetic and has to eat regularly.
They arrive around 2pm and it is raining hard. Avanti and the 2 kids (adults really, 26 and 28) refuse to get out of the car in the rain until Mahender moves the other car and pulls in under the Porte Cachere. It all went downhill from there.
I won't go on about this. It could be a script for a soap opera. Anyway, the day I left for Colombo and yesterday, it all blew up. Manil has taken to her bed and won't eat. Amal is afraid she is willing herself to death because she knows she is the only reason he is staying at Gunfire. I love her and Amal, but they all have a touch of the melodramatic about them. It is just that Avanti and the kids are pathological.
The 3 crazies are supposed to have left or a leaving for a party on the coast and Amal is coming to Colombo for an alms giving for an aunt, so Manil will be left alone with the servants at Gunfire, so I will go directly there when I get into Kandy to make sure she is OK. What a drama. You get the bad with the good when you are taken in by strangers. A small price to pay for all they have done for me.
The good news is that I met with my prospective landlords yesterday and we have agreed to a one year rental agreement. We will sign the papers next week and I should be able to take possession by mid-January. I also met with Shanti's daughter's boyfriend whose family has a furniture making factory in Polinaruwa. He is giving me a quote on making all the furniture I need as well getting the appliances, linens, etc. duty free. Amal also has a friend who manages one of the three wheeler dealerships, so I will be able to buy a tuk tuk at a low price. So I am well on my way.
I hope to be more or less settled by the end of January. The only fly in the ointment is that I can't apply for my one year visa until my 3 month one is almost up, which is the end of February and I can't get my stuff shipped until I have a one year visa. I am going to talk to Amal about getting the stuff shipped to him, so I can get it into the country ASAP. I want my stuff and I don't want to be paying storage charges if I can avoid it. So it seems that Heather's prediction at the Calico Cat that I would get done in 2 months what would take others a year to do is coming true.
I went yesterday to do the full fur/claw as the bunch in Kandy did such a bad job. Dinithi (Shanti's daughter) has a lovely salon that could compete with any upscale place in the world. It was decorated by the furniture making boyfriend, so things look good there. So I met Dinithi and Chaytia (Shanti's children). What a marked contrast to Tara and Amar (the crazy niece and nephew). These 2 kids, who are about the same age, are hard working, accomplished, independent and charming.
The claw place was small and cramped and full of acrylic fumes. I sat there for an hour before they told me they had no power and therefore could not do my gel nails. Typical Sri Lankan. Don't say anything rather than give what they think is bad news. Then I made an appointment at what I thought was their other branch at the Galadari Hotel, only to go there to find out the it had closed 2 or 3 months ago. Finally, after a bunch of tuk tuk rides, I went back to the original place where they now had power. In the end, they did a great job, but it costs almost as much as in Canada. I don't know what I will do next month. Sending $500 what with the train and hotel and meals to come to Colombo for fur/claw seems a little excessive, even to me.
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Monday, 24 December 2012
December 24, 2012
Another day of adventure. Here I am sipping on my second beer. I needed it after today.
First thing I go to the apartment only to find that it has not been cleaned. I called up the landlady and gave her a blast. She claimed it had been cleaned. I said if it had, it was not up to my standard. I started to sweep out the place at which my driver was horrified and insisted that he do it. He did a good job, but we couldn't mop as there is not mop and bucket. Shanti says she will go over there while I am in Colombo and clean the place. Am I blessed or what?
Next stop was the bank to change money. I have found a great branch in Peredinya that is never busy, so that was no problem. Next it was the fish market to get some fish for Manil's birthday breakfast tomorrow. That was pandemonium, although the fish was fresh and the place did not smell bad. Canadians would be horrified, but I think it was OK. Then back to the farm shop to pick up what I bought yesterday. Then we went to a pet store to buy birds that Manil to release on her birthday.
On the way we ran into a traffic jam. Traffic jams here give cluster fuck a whole new meaning. I thought that it was a police controlled intersection. That is usually the problem, but today it was a really an accident. A car and bus collided. Needless to say, the car did not come out too well. So everybody gets out of both vehicles and just walks away. There was a policeman on the scene, but who knows what happened. So there I am in the tuk tuk with two white pigeons. I am looking at the tuk tuk in front of me and a chicken pops up. What a hoot!
At the fruit market they wanted SLR80 for the tomatoes. Jayakodi said something to them and suddenly it went down to SLR70. Thank god he is looking out for me.
Now the birds are in my bathroom on the unoperational bidet. I have a picture which I will post as soon as I get my computer on
First thing I go to the apartment only to find that it has not been cleaned. I called up the landlady and gave her a blast. She claimed it had been cleaned. I said if it had, it was not up to my standard. I started to sweep out the place at which my driver was horrified and insisted that he do it. He did a good job, but we couldn't mop as there is not mop and bucket. Shanti says she will go over there while I am in Colombo and clean the place. Am I blessed or what?
Next stop was the bank to change money. I have found a great branch in Peredinya that is never busy, so that was no problem. Next it was the fish market to get some fish for Manil's birthday breakfast tomorrow. That was pandemonium, although the fish was fresh and the place did not smell bad. Canadians would be horrified, but I think it was OK. Then back to the farm shop to pick up what I bought yesterday. Then we went to a pet store to buy birds that Manil to release on her birthday.
On the way we ran into a traffic jam. Traffic jams here give cluster fuck a whole new meaning. I thought that it was a police controlled intersection. That is usually the problem, but today it was a really an accident. A car and bus collided. Needless to say, the car did not come out too well. So everybody gets out of both vehicles and just walks away. There was a policeman on the scene, but who knows what happened. So there I am in the tuk tuk with two white pigeons. I am looking at the tuk tuk in front of me and a chicken pops up. What a hoot!
At the fruit market they wanted SLR80 for the tomatoes. Jayakodi said something to them and suddenly it went down to SLR70. Thank god he is looking out for me.
Now the birds are in my bathroom on the unoperational bidet. I have a picture which I will post as soon as I get my computer on
Sunday, 23 December 2012
December 23, 2012
Lots to report on now. I finally found a place to live. As Amal says, it is a dream house. It is right on the river, although across the street. That is actually better as during the monsoon, the river can get quite high. It is 4 bedrooms with 3 baths and a servant's toilet. The living and dining rooms are a good size and it even has a garden room. It has what we would regard as a kitchen, although here it is called a pantry as well as a kitchen which is in the more traditional Sri Lankan style. There are 3 verandas and a small garden. The house has been beautifully maintained. In fact, the owners are more concerned that I maintain the property than with the rent. It is SLR.30,000/month which is about C$231.
It will not be ready until about mid-January, so in the meantime I have found a furnished apartment for a month which is also great. I picked up the keys today and was going to move in there today, but Amal is down in Colombo and asked me to stay on with his Mother until he gets back on Christmas Day. They have been so kind to me, it is the least I can do.
Christmas will be different this year. It is Manil's (Amal's Mother) birthday, so the whole gang of us are going to the golf club for dinner. I'll have to get myself into a sari for the occasion.
Today I went out on my own with my new tuk tuk man,Jayakodi, for the first time. Considering that he does not speak English and I don't speak Sinhala, we made out quite well. First we went to the food wholesaler to get basic provisions. There are a lot of supermarkets here, but the stuff is more expensive and not at good. Thankfully the place is run by Tamils and they speak good English. After this I can just ring up and order and Jayakodi and bring it. Then it was off to the apartment to pay the rent and sign the rental agreement. Then on to Arpico to get a couple of things that the farm shop did not have. I will take them in there tomorrow and get them to start ordering them for me.
Then there was an advertisement that one of the big electronics dealers was having a sale on Canon printers. I went in there and got a UPS and an all-in-one printer for around $200. Not too bad. Amal needed a whole ream of documents photocopied for some stupid government request. I finally found a photocopy place on the third try where the machine was actually working. They did a great job and it was only about $2 for 50 pages, but the place was like something out of history. Apart from photocopying, they also have a scribe service where they write letters for people. Of course, they do it on computers now, but the idea is still the same. It was interesting to see a letter being produced in Sinhala as well. Picked up the laundry from the dhobi wallah. They do a great job and also charge very little. I may not even have to get a washing machine.
Lastly, we went to the vegetable and fruit market. I felt really proud of myself for having bought my vegetables without being ripped off. Mind you, Shanti had taken me there and introduced me and they seem very reluctant to cross her. They could have padded a little as I was the only foreigner in the place, but Jayakodi was hovering around so that helped as well. He is very protective of me and gives people a blast if he thinks they are taking advantage.
So now I am an official resident of Kandy. On the 27th I am heading down to Colombo to deal with my visa application on the 28th. The only day they are open over the Christmas/New Year period. That night I am scheduled to meet the people who own my dream home at Riverside Garden. They live in Colombo. They want to sign the rental agreement before the end of the year which suits me fine. On the 29th I finally have a hair appointment with Santi's daughter who owns a nice salon. Her boyfriend makes mahogany furniture for export, so we are meeting at the salon so he can give me an idea how much it would cost me to have my furniture made. It is all go from here.
Living here at Gunfire has given me a real insight into the aristocratic lifestyle. Talk about Upstairs/Downstairs. Here it is all over the stairs. The servants' politics is Byzantine. I get the below stairs from Shanti and the above stairs from Amal. Bottom line is don't have more than two servants and even that may be one too many. Here they have 5 full-time live in people and a crew of itinerant workers even down to a dog walker. No wonder it costs a fortune to run this place.
Once I am in the apartment, I will set up my computer and will be able to upload pictures. Until then....
It will not be ready until about mid-January, so in the meantime I have found a furnished apartment for a month which is also great. I picked up the keys today and was going to move in there today, but Amal is down in Colombo and asked me to stay on with his Mother until he gets back on Christmas Day. They have been so kind to me, it is the least I can do.
Christmas will be different this year. It is Manil's (Amal's Mother) birthday, so the whole gang of us are going to the golf club for dinner. I'll have to get myself into a sari for the occasion.
Today I went out on my own with my new tuk tuk man,Jayakodi, for the first time. Considering that he does not speak English and I don't speak Sinhala, we made out quite well. First we went to the food wholesaler to get basic provisions. There are a lot of supermarkets here, but the stuff is more expensive and not at good. Thankfully the place is run by Tamils and they speak good English. After this I can just ring up and order and Jayakodi and bring it. Then it was off to the apartment to pay the rent and sign the rental agreement. Then on to Arpico to get a couple of things that the farm shop did not have. I will take them in there tomorrow and get them to start ordering them for me.
Then there was an advertisement that one of the big electronics dealers was having a sale on Canon printers. I went in there and got a UPS and an all-in-one printer for around $200. Not too bad. Amal needed a whole ream of documents photocopied for some stupid government request. I finally found a photocopy place on the third try where the machine was actually working. They did a great job and it was only about $2 for 50 pages, but the place was like something out of history. Apart from photocopying, they also have a scribe service where they write letters for people. Of course, they do it on computers now, but the idea is still the same. It was interesting to see a letter being produced in Sinhala as well. Picked up the laundry from the dhobi wallah. They do a great job and also charge very little. I may not even have to get a washing machine.
Lastly, we went to the vegetable and fruit market. I felt really proud of myself for having bought my vegetables without being ripped off. Mind you, Shanti had taken me there and introduced me and they seem very reluctant to cross her. They could have padded a little as I was the only foreigner in the place, but Jayakodi was hovering around so that helped as well. He is very protective of me and gives people a blast if he thinks they are taking advantage.
So now I am an official resident of Kandy. On the 27th I am heading down to Colombo to deal with my visa application on the 28th. The only day they are open over the Christmas/New Year period. That night I am scheduled to meet the people who own my dream home at Riverside Garden. They live in Colombo. They want to sign the rental agreement before the end of the year which suits me fine. On the 29th I finally have a hair appointment with Santi's daughter who owns a nice salon. Her boyfriend makes mahogany furniture for export, so we are meeting at the salon so he can give me an idea how much it would cost me to have my furniture made. It is all go from here.
Living here at Gunfire has given me a real insight into the aristocratic lifestyle. Talk about Upstairs/Downstairs. Here it is all over the stairs. The servants' politics is Byzantine. I get the below stairs from Shanti and the above stairs from Amal. Bottom line is don't have more than two servants and even that may be one too many. Here they have 5 full-time live in people and a crew of itinerant workers even down to a dog walker. No wonder it costs a fortune to run this place.
Once I am in the apartment, I will set up my computer and will be able to upload pictures. Until then....
Sunday, 16 December 2012
December 16, 2012
Sitting here in the rain sipping my bed tea. Seems like a good time to blog.
Yesterday was a full day. I think I may have found my house at last. It is located on an old tea estate in the hills above Kandy called Hantana. In typical Sri Lankan style, we go up there only to find that no one has a key to get in the house. It looks good from the outside. The owner is coming up from Colombo today with they key and I should be able to get into it early this afternoon. It would be nice to get settled.
Then it was off to the Kawasaki's for lunch. They are friends of Amal's who have lived here for years. They are both from the States and have lived all over the world. They teach ESL to Burmese refugees primarily and are very involved with the Burmese opposition movement. Interesting people. I think they will become good friends.
Next came an experience I could have done without. Kumara, the butler at Gunfire has contracted dengue fever and is in Kandy General Hospital. Amal wanted to visit him and give him some healing so I went with him. OMG!! The good news is that the ward was relatively clean and did not stink. The bad news is that there are at least 50 beds on the ward and every peson has his whole village visiting at any given time. Heaven only knows how the staff do their work. Kumara alone had me, Amal, Mahendra (Amal's driver), Kumara's wife, some other friend and then 2 Buddhist monks with him.TTYe beds are cramped together so that half of the visitors are on the bed with the patient. Of course, the hospital has not food so that has to be brought in by relatives. Two beds down, some poor guy had tried to commit suicide by drinking pesticide but had survived. Altogether not a pretty scene.
Thankfully, we actually spoke with a doctor. That is something that would never happen in Canada. He is present on the ward at all times. He was pleasant and competent. Kumara seems to be receiving good care and the doctor says he is getting clinically better. His lab tests seem to be improving as well. Today is the last critical day, so hopefully he will be out of the woods within a day or two and will be able to come back to Gunfire to be cared for here.
Then it was off to Arpico to do some shopping. After the hospital, that was surreal. For one thing the place if fully decorated for Christmas and there are Christmas carols blaring over the loudspeakers. Anyway, we got that done. I had a chance to check out the furniture and the linens, both of which are crap. I will be getting my furniture made. Amal said he would take me down to Colombo with the SUV to do my basic supply shopping. I can just get what I want and fill up the truck.
After that it was getting Kumara's lab work done. There are no lab facilities in the hospital. Hospital care is free, but nothing else is. You have to take the sample to the lab yourself and then pick up the results and take them to the doctor. I won't even go into the hygienic state of the labs. I am amazed that every sample does not come back with some sort of pathogen in it.
By the time we got back home it was 1930 and I had been on the go since 1000. We had dinner and then watched Sherlock Holmes. Got to sleep around 0100. Never a dull moment. Thank god Kandy's climate is so mild. You could never do this in Colombo.
The rain has stopped and the sun is starting to come out. Time for a workout. I have been managing to work out almost every day and have lost about 10 pounds. Still have ways to go, but it feels good. Only thing is I need my kurtas taken in already.
Yesterday was a full day. I think I may have found my house at last. It is located on an old tea estate in the hills above Kandy called Hantana. In typical Sri Lankan style, we go up there only to find that no one has a key to get in the house. It looks good from the outside. The owner is coming up from Colombo today with they key and I should be able to get into it early this afternoon. It would be nice to get settled.
Then it was off to the Kawasaki's for lunch. They are friends of Amal's who have lived here for years. They are both from the States and have lived all over the world. They teach ESL to Burmese refugees primarily and are very involved with the Burmese opposition movement. Interesting people. I think they will become good friends.
Next came an experience I could have done without. Kumara, the butler at Gunfire has contracted dengue fever and is in Kandy General Hospital. Amal wanted to visit him and give him some healing so I went with him. OMG!! The good news is that the ward was relatively clean and did not stink. The bad news is that there are at least 50 beds on the ward and every peson has his whole village visiting at any given time. Heaven only knows how the staff do their work. Kumara alone had me, Amal, Mahendra (Amal's driver), Kumara's wife, some other friend and then 2 Buddhist monks with him.TTYe beds are cramped together so that half of the visitors are on the bed with the patient. Of course, the hospital has not food so that has to be brought in by relatives. Two beds down, some poor guy had tried to commit suicide by drinking pesticide but had survived. Altogether not a pretty scene.
Thankfully, we actually spoke with a doctor. That is something that would never happen in Canada. He is present on the ward at all times. He was pleasant and competent. Kumara seems to be receiving good care and the doctor says he is getting clinically better. His lab tests seem to be improving as well. Today is the last critical day, so hopefully he will be out of the woods within a day or two and will be able to come back to Gunfire to be cared for here.
Then it was off to Arpico to do some shopping. After the hospital, that was surreal. For one thing the place if fully decorated for Christmas and there are Christmas carols blaring over the loudspeakers. Anyway, we got that done. I had a chance to check out the furniture and the linens, both of which are crap. I will be getting my furniture made. Amal said he would take me down to Colombo with the SUV to do my basic supply shopping. I can just get what I want and fill up the truck.
After that it was getting Kumara's lab work done. There are no lab facilities in the hospital. Hospital care is free, but nothing else is. You have to take the sample to the lab yourself and then pick up the results and take them to the doctor. I won't even go into the hygienic state of the labs. I am amazed that every sample does not come back with some sort of pathogen in it.
By the time we got back home it was 1930 and I had been on the go since 1000. We had dinner and then watched Sherlock Holmes. Got to sleep around 0100. Never a dull moment. Thank god Kandy's climate is so mild. You could never do this in Colombo.
The rain has stopped and the sun is starting to come out. Time for a workout. I have been managing to work out almost every day and have lost about 10 pounds. Still have ways to go, but it feels good. Only thing is I need my kurtas taken in already.
Friday, 14 December 2012
December 14, 2012
Life goes on here. Still no place to live. I did find a couple of things, but nothing is really speaking to me yet.
I did go and get my nails done yesterday. They are not used to doing gel nails so it took 4.5 hours. I was exhausted by the time I got back. Spa days are supposed to be relaxing. In the end I had to more or less give them a training course. However, including transport it cost half as much as in Canada.
Day before yesterday, Amal and I wend to a seminar at Peridinya University about the paranormal. On the way home, we stopped off for a drink at the Amaya Hills Hotel. It is right on top of one of Kandy's hills with a magnificent pool and a great gym. Last night we went back for dinner with Manil, Amal's mother ostensibly to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower. We had a nice evening out, but did not see the shower. However, when we got back to Gunfire, the heavens put on a show for us. We saw about a dozen or more shooting stars, some of them really big ones. As the night wore on more and more stars appeared. Jupiter was like a bright beacon right above us.
Now I am sitting here having my bed tea with a shawl on as it is a bit cool.
I did go and get my nails done yesterday. They are not used to doing gel nails so it took 4.5 hours. I was exhausted by the time I got back. Spa days are supposed to be relaxing. In the end I had to more or less give them a training course. However, including transport it cost half as much as in Canada.
Day before yesterday, Amal and I wend to a seminar at Peridinya University about the paranormal. On the way home, we stopped off for a drink at the Amaya Hills Hotel. It is right on top of one of Kandy's hills with a magnificent pool and a great gym. Last night we went back for dinner with Manil, Amal's mother ostensibly to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower. We had a nice evening out, but did not see the shower. However, when we got back to Gunfire, the heavens put on a show for us. We saw about a dozen or more shooting stars, some of them really big ones. As the night wore on more and more stars appeared. Jupiter was like a bright beacon right above us.
Now I am sitting here having my bed tea with a shawl on as it is a bit cool.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
December 11, 2012
A lot has been happening. I think I have found a place to live at least for a couple of months starting December 22 or 23. At least I will be settled for Christmas. It is a 2 bedroom apartment here in Kandy. That makes me feel better. As much as I would like to,I can't stay at Gunfire forever.
Yesterday we went out to the coconut plantation. Amal and his friend Jez want to set up a soap and beauty product production line out there. On the way up and back and over dinner we were just brain storming. They liked some of my thoughts so they have asked me to join them in the project. I am thrilled. It gives me something to do. Amal is, of course, great and Jez is one of the brightest people I have met in a long time. The products will have a coconut base about which I am passionate.
It is funny that the prediction of the tea leaf reader at the Calico Cat that I would continue to be involved in the health industry when I came to Sri Lanka seems to be coming true.
Just now Shanti, Amal's cousin, told me about a room in a house where the lady lives alone that I could have for SLR 10,000. If it is alright I could take it for a couple of months until I find the ideal place to rent. That could take the pressure off for a while. We will take a look at it today.
Yesterday we went out to the coconut plantation. Amal and his friend Jez want to set up a soap and beauty product production line out there. On the way up and back and over dinner we were just brain storming. They liked some of my thoughts so they have asked me to join them in the project. I am thrilled. It gives me something to do. Amal is, of course, great and Jez is one of the brightest people I have met in a long time. The products will have a coconut base about which I am passionate.
It is funny that the prediction of the tea leaf reader at the Calico Cat that I would continue to be involved in the health industry when I came to Sri Lanka seems to be coming true.
Just now Shanti, Amal's cousin, told me about a room in a house where the lady lives alone that I could have for SLR 10,000. If it is alright I could take it for a couple of months until I find the ideal place to rent. That could take the pressure off for a while. We will take a look at it today.
December 6, 2012
I have been in Kandy for more than 1 full day now. I am staying at a house called Gunfire. It may be the most beautiful house in Kandy. I have taken pictures, but can't post them because my computer is not hooked up. My friend Amal and his mother have taken me in as if I were a member of their family. The generosity of spirit of Sri Lankans never ceases to amaze me. I have no doubt that we in Canada would not do the same. I must have some very good karma saved up to have landed in such good circumstances.
There is no news of my friend Nirmala. As far as we know she is still in hospital receiving what we hope is palliative care. As Amal says we will probably learn of her death from an obituary in the paper.
I removed all my things from her place when I came up here and who knows if I will go back.
Kandy is beautiful. The climate is much milder than Colombo. Last night I even had to use a blanket to sleep. The odd time yesterday I even felt that I could use a sweater. Not to worry, though. I am sitting out on the veranda having my bed tea at 0830 with just my light bathrobe on.
Amal's mothers gave me the most amazing gift last night. We talked for 3 hours. She told me the story of how she married her husband and her life with him. It was fascinating to step back into another era of wealth, privilege, caste, Buddhism, custom, but mostly feeling. Sitting with her in her elegant dining room in this most beautiful of houses listening to her, I felt that we were back in the Raj.
The long and the short of it though is that she has had a very sad life. She married at 19. Her marriage was more a merger of two powerful families than anything else and for reasons that I will not go into, any love she may have had for her husband died after only 3 years. For his part, he remained in love with another woman until he died.
I was so touched that she shared her story with me. I am tearing up even now writing this. What a lovely woman. It was so good of her son to bring her back home so she could truly become mistress of Gunfire. It is a role that fits her very well and seemingly makes her a little happier in her last days.
For my part, I looked at 2 places yesterday. The first one was disgusting, although the setting was beautiful. It was overlooking the Kandy river which is dammed to form Kandy reservoir. Amal's cousin also has a house in that area that might be alright with some work, which she is willing to do but isn't available until next year sometime. The second was a townhouse sort of thing owned by the CEO of a finance company that Amal is a director of. It has some real possibilities and the rent is right. The limitation is that it only has one bedroom and it directly overlooks the rugby stadium where they have matches every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April through July. On the plus side there is a large sports club attached the the rugby grounds which has a good restaurant form which you can order meals to be sent across and a state of the art gym. Something that would not go amiss at the moment.
I am hoping to see a few more places today, but things move at a snails pace around here, so who knows how many I will get to see in the end.
There is no news of my friend Nirmala. As far as we know she is still in hospital receiving what we hope is palliative care. As Amal says we will probably learn of her death from an obituary in the paper.
I removed all my things from her place when I came up here and who knows if I will go back.
Kandy is beautiful. The climate is much milder than Colombo. Last night I even had to use a blanket to sleep. The odd time yesterday I even felt that I could use a sweater. Not to worry, though. I am sitting out on the veranda having my bed tea at 0830 with just my light bathrobe on.
Amal's mothers gave me the most amazing gift last night. We talked for 3 hours. She told me the story of how she married her husband and her life with him. It was fascinating to step back into another era of wealth, privilege, caste, Buddhism, custom, but mostly feeling. Sitting with her in her elegant dining room in this most beautiful of houses listening to her, I felt that we were back in the Raj.
The long and the short of it though is that she has had a very sad life. She married at 19. Her marriage was more a merger of two powerful families than anything else and for reasons that I will not go into, any love she may have had for her husband died after only 3 years. For his part, he remained in love with another woman until he died.
I was so touched that she shared her story with me. I am tearing up even now writing this. What a lovely woman. It was so good of her son to bring her back home so she could truly become mistress of Gunfire. It is a role that fits her very well and seemingly makes her a little happier in her last days.
For my part, I looked at 2 places yesterday. The first one was disgusting, although the setting was beautiful. It was overlooking the Kandy river which is dammed to form Kandy reservoir. Amal's cousin also has a house in that area that might be alright with some work, which she is willing to do but isn't available until next year sometime. The second was a townhouse sort of thing owned by the CEO of a finance company that Amal is a director of. It has some real possibilities and the rent is right. The limitation is that it only has one bedroom and it directly overlooks the rugby stadium where they have matches every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from April through July. On the plus side there is a large sports club attached the the rugby grounds which has a good restaurant form which you can order meals to be sent across and a state of the art gym. Something that would not go amiss at the moment.
I am hoping to see a few more places today, but things move at a snails pace around here, so who knows how many I will get to see in the end.
Monday, 3 December 2012
December 3, 2012 1330
Later today, back at the hotel. I have seen about 5 houses. Dismal. But I guess you have kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Going out again at 1430 to look at some more stuff including some I found on-line and some that my new friend Ulla recommended. Let's hope those will be better.
Meanwhile, it is a beautiful day. The ocean is turquoise, the sand is yellow and I am sipping on a beer waiting for my salad and pizza for lunch. Paradise.
Meanwhile, it is a beautiful day. The ocean is turquoise, the sand is yellow and I am sipping on a beer waiting for my salad and pizza for lunch. Paradise.
December 3, 2012
Here I am at the Unawatuna Beach Resort in Galle. Last night we went to a fabulous Italian restaurant where I actually had real boconccini and excellent gnocchi. The setting was exquisite right on the beach. When we got back we sat on the sand wiggling our toes, listening to the waves crash in and watching the stars twinkle overhead. This is truly paradise.
A swim in the beautiful pool in which Amal and I were the only 2 people and then breakfast by the waves started out the day.
Now, I am waiting for my Tuktuk driver to go to see some houses for rent. I think this would be a fine place to live. We will see what is out there.
A swim in the beautiful pool in which Amal and I were the only 2 people and then breakfast by the waves started out the day.
Now, I am waiting for my Tuktuk driver to go to see some houses for rent. I think this would be a fine place to live. We will see what is out there.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
December 1, 2012
Well, I am back on-blog. My latest problem was that I dropped my laptop and buggered up my hard drive. The real problem is that all my pictures, etc. are on it and I need to find someone who can get the information off. In the meantime, I can't stay disconnected, so I am the proud owner of a new 27" iMac with full Mountain Lion capability. I had intended on making this purchase all along as I will use it instead of a TV. Now I just have it sooner than expected.
The situation here at Nirmala's continues to be bad. Today I had to call her General Manager at her work as it seems that the household staff have not been paid and the whole place is in disarray. They keep telling me that she is coming home, but last night she was hospitalized and had to be given oxygen. I don't get how these people can always give you whatever bullshit they think will make you happy. Not the bearers of bad news, ever.
Tomorrow, I am going down to Galle with one of Nirmala's friends (the good looking male) to check out the scene there to see if that is where I want to live. We will see. For sure, I want to get out of here.
The visa situation has been sorted. I will apply for my 1 year visa next week. If for some reason I can't get it in the normal course of events, Devaraj has lined up a cabinet minister to write me a letter.
Progress is being made, although I have to keep reminding myself that things don't move nearly as quickly here as they do in Canada. I can't complain though as I have only been here a week. I have already managed to meet a lot of new friends, including ones that are willing to ferry me all over the place. I have an offer to stay with someone in Kandy as well, so I will be going up there to check it out.
Last night I had drinks with Oliver Perumal who is a Sri Lankan/Canadian who lives in Qualicum Beach. Imagine, someone from home within one week. Life is good!
The situation here at Nirmala's continues to be bad. Today I had to call her General Manager at her work as it seems that the household staff have not been paid and the whole place is in disarray. They keep telling me that she is coming home, but last night she was hospitalized and had to be given oxygen. I don't get how these people can always give you whatever bullshit they think will make you happy. Not the bearers of bad news, ever.
Tomorrow, I am going down to Galle with one of Nirmala's friends (the good looking male) to check out the scene there to see if that is where I want to live. We will see. For sure, I want to get out of here.
The visa situation has been sorted. I will apply for my 1 year visa next week. If for some reason I can't get it in the normal course of events, Devaraj has lined up a cabinet minister to write me a letter.
Progress is being made, although I have to keep reminding myself that things don't move nearly as quickly here as they do in Canada. I can't complain though as I have only been here a week. I have already managed to meet a lot of new friends, including ones that are willing to ferry me all over the place. I have an offer to stay with someone in Kandy as well, so I will be going up there to check it out.
Last night I had drinks with Oliver Perumal who is a Sri Lankan/Canadian who lives in Qualicum Beach. Imagine, someone from home within one week. Life is good!
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
November 26, 2012
I couldn't blog yesterday as my dongle ran out of dong.
My friend has still not come home, and I suspect she won't. I am sure now that she is dying.
I have my former landlady looking for something for me down in Galle. I have heard good things about it and it was one of the places on my list anyway.
Yesterday I spoke with Oliver Perumal who lives in Qualicum. He is normally here for 6 months of the year, but is going back next Wednesday as he has been thrown out of his normal digs. He tells me that it is easy to get a 1 year visa. Just fill in the piles of forms, provide 2 photos and pay SLR10,000, about $83 and your have it. Tomorrow I am going to the Canadian High Commission to confirm this info and then I am off to get my visa. Easier than I thought if it is true.
Here are some pictures of the place I am staying. Believe me the pictures do not do it justice. It is a dump. Literally falling apart. When it rains, a dozen buckets have to put in the upstairs sun room and even those will not catch all the water. At least my bedroom does not leak and I have not gotten sick from the water or the food.
Later today, I am meeting my old friend Devaraj. He is one my favourite people in the world. I am so pleased that he is still alive. He must be in his mid-eighties by now. We spent many long and happy hours debating the Mahabarata. It will be very nice to see him again.
In the meantime, I am waiting for Devaraj's niece Jayanthi to come back from Kandy so we can go to Galle to check things out. It is not a good idea to travel alone here, especially out station, meaning outside of Colombo. After Galle, I will check out Kandy. Anyway, I want to get out of here as it is physically bad and I am bored.
My friend has still not come home, and I suspect she won't. I am sure now that she is dying.
I have my former landlady looking for something for me down in Galle. I have heard good things about it and it was one of the places on my list anyway.
Yesterday I spoke with Oliver Perumal who lives in Qualicum. He is normally here for 6 months of the year, but is going back next Wednesday as he has been thrown out of his normal digs. He tells me that it is easy to get a 1 year visa. Just fill in the piles of forms, provide 2 photos and pay SLR10,000, about $83 and your have it. Tomorrow I am going to the Canadian High Commission to confirm this info and then I am off to get my visa. Easier than I thought if it is true.
Here are some pictures of the place I am staying. Believe me the pictures do not do it justice. It is a dump. Literally falling apart. When it rains, a dozen buckets have to put in the upstairs sun room and even those will not catch all the water. At least my bedroom does not leak and I have not gotten sick from the water or the food.
Later today, I am meeting my old friend Devaraj. He is one my favourite people in the world. I am so pleased that he is still alive. He must be in his mid-eighties by now. We spent many long and happy hours debating the Mahabarata. It will be very nice to see him again.
In the meantime, I am waiting for Devaraj's niece Jayanthi to come back from Kandy so we can go to Galle to check things out. It is not a good idea to travel alone here, especially out station, meaning outside of Colombo. After Galle, I will check out Kandy. Anyway, I want to get out of here as it is physically bad and I am bored.
Saturday, 24 November 2012
November 24, 2012
Here we are on day 2.
I don't know how I get into these things. I find myself running a household with 2 live in servants without speaking their language. My sign language is good enough to write a dictionary. Mind you, there are some short comings. Today I found out that no-one had bought them enough food.
But back to the beginning of the day. I am starting to acclimate. I did sleep part of the night. Up at about 6:30. Hopefully, that should have me up long enough to sleep through the night. It is hot, but there is no air conditioning here, so I have had to get used to it fast. I am sticky all the time, but that is just the way it is. I was dripping wet with sweat the minute I got out of the shower. Thank God for deodorant.
As it is the tail end of the monsoon, it thundered like mad overnight and rained like crazy. That makes for high humidity.
I have found a reliable auto-rickshaw guy who I can phone for transport. I went out with him this morning to ARPICO. It is a huge Wal-Mart style establishment. They even had cheese and olives; two things that it was impossible to get 25 years ago. There are no milk alternatives though. It is all cow's milk with more powdered than anything else.
So that is something new. Some things never change, however. This is still the land of the lumpy pillow, thus the trip to ARPICO to buy a new one. Should have a better sleep tonight.
Things are still bad on the cleaning front. I have told the seemingly clueless people who are supposed to be running the bungalow that it needs to be scoured from top to bottom before Nirmala comes home. I think she is dying and I would hate to contribute to it by bringing her into such an unhygienic environment. We will see. People always tell you what you want to hear and then do nothing. Thankfully, I have some competent contacts that can help me.
One of Nirmala's friends dropped in to check on things earlier this afternoon. I could hardly believe my eyes. An attractive Sri Lankan man. His family and Nirmala's have friends for more than 2 generations. That is how things are here. Time moves slower and reaches back farther than in our culture. Anyway, he is the one who established that the servants had no food. We promptly went out with the peon to buy food. At least Amal (that is his name) knows how to get things done having a Ph.D. in business and having lived in Australia for a long time.
The market we went to was very different from ARPICO. Now this is more like what I expected. It was large and relatively clean and well organized. Even Amal was impressed. Needless to say, we got a lot more groceries for a lot less money than I had paid earlier in the day.
It is funny that ever since I got here, I was sensing that the politics is very similar to what it had been when I lived here before when a socialist insurrection erupted in the south and most of the cabinet was assassinated. Amal confirmed that this is indeed the case and the President and his cronies are setting themselves up for something similar. Why is that when I show up in a place, it erupts in revolution? Let's hope it is no worse than last time.
My former landlady, another get things done type, has an apartment for me to look at. We will go either tonight or tomorrow morning. At this point, I really can't leave until I know that Nirmala is OK or she dies. Everyone who will admit anything seems to thing that the latter is the most likely. Anyway, she is supposed to be coming home on Monday or Tuesday of this week. I just hope we can get things ready in time. I guess I was supposed to come to Sri Lanka now in order to help her. Well, what are friends for? It makes me very sad to think about it though.
My bags have finally arrived. So now I can unpack.
I don't know how I get into these things. I find myself running a household with 2 live in servants without speaking their language. My sign language is good enough to write a dictionary. Mind you, there are some short comings. Today I found out that no-one had bought them enough food.
But back to the beginning of the day. I am starting to acclimate. I did sleep part of the night. Up at about 6:30. Hopefully, that should have me up long enough to sleep through the night. It is hot, but there is no air conditioning here, so I have had to get used to it fast. I am sticky all the time, but that is just the way it is. I was dripping wet with sweat the minute I got out of the shower. Thank God for deodorant.
As it is the tail end of the monsoon, it thundered like mad overnight and rained like crazy. That makes for high humidity.
I have found a reliable auto-rickshaw guy who I can phone for transport. I went out with him this morning to ARPICO. It is a huge Wal-Mart style establishment. They even had cheese and olives; two things that it was impossible to get 25 years ago. There are no milk alternatives though. It is all cow's milk with more powdered than anything else.
So that is something new. Some things never change, however. This is still the land of the lumpy pillow, thus the trip to ARPICO to buy a new one. Should have a better sleep tonight.
Things are still bad on the cleaning front. I have told the seemingly clueless people who are supposed to be running the bungalow that it needs to be scoured from top to bottom before Nirmala comes home. I think she is dying and I would hate to contribute to it by bringing her into such an unhygienic environment. We will see. People always tell you what you want to hear and then do nothing. Thankfully, I have some competent contacts that can help me.
One of Nirmala's friends dropped in to check on things earlier this afternoon. I could hardly believe my eyes. An attractive Sri Lankan man. His family and Nirmala's have friends for more than 2 generations. That is how things are here. Time moves slower and reaches back farther than in our culture. Anyway, he is the one who established that the servants had no food. We promptly went out with the peon to buy food. At least Amal (that is his name) knows how to get things done having a Ph.D. in business and having lived in Australia for a long time.
The market we went to was very different from ARPICO. Now this is more like what I expected. It was large and relatively clean and well organized. Even Amal was impressed. Needless to say, we got a lot more groceries for a lot less money than I had paid earlier in the day.
It is funny that ever since I got here, I was sensing that the politics is very similar to what it had been when I lived here before when a socialist insurrection erupted in the south and most of the cabinet was assassinated. Amal confirmed that this is indeed the case and the President and his cronies are setting themselves up for something similar. Why is that when I show up in a place, it erupts in revolution? Let's hope it is no worse than last time.
My former landlady, another get things done type, has an apartment for me to look at. We will go either tonight or tomorrow morning. At this point, I really can't leave until I know that Nirmala is OK or she dies. Everyone who will admit anything seems to thing that the latter is the most likely. Anyway, she is supposed to be coming home on Monday or Tuesday of this week. I just hope we can get things ready in time. I guess I was supposed to come to Sri Lanka now in order to help her. Well, what are friends for? It makes me very sad to think about it though.
My bags have finally arrived. So now I can unpack.
Friday, 23 November 2012
November 23, 2012
Well, here I am in Sri Lanka. I have not slept in 36 hours and feel like a piece of shit.
The flights were not bad, but I barely made my connecting flight in Hong Kong, so, of course, my bags did not make it. I am hoping for them to arrive tomorrow.
Add to that the fact that no-one was there to meet me at the airport. I had to spend a lot of time working out my luggage, then try to find my ride, which did not exist. Finally, I took a taxi and checked into the Ramada downtown. I was so over tired that I could not sleep. So I started to find out what had happened with my ride and my intended stay. It turns out the my friend Nirmala has had a recurrence of her cancer and has been deathly ill for over a month now. Today, after a lot of phoning around, I discovered all this news and finally came to Nirmala's house only to find it filthy dirty. I was going to move over to a clean hostel hotel, but Nirmala's secretary has mobilized the troops and there is a cleaning crew in here.
I have not even been in the country 24 hours and all my old friends are fully mobilized. My friend Jayanthi came to collect me from the hotel and brought me to Nirmala's. My former landlady has been beating the bushes all day and may have found an apartment for me to rent. In the meantime, I will be staying here because they have said that if I stay, they can bring Nirmala home. Needless to say, I am willing to put up with almost anything in order to help her out.
I am now linked up to the internet by a thing called a dongle. It is just a USB stick, but I love the name. I have a cell phone number which has been ringing non-stop. I am taking Nirmala's 200+ year old house and modernizing it. I even bought a power bar so I could plug all my electronics in.
It took from 10AM to 3:30PM to get here, get the dongle, buy the power bar, change money, do a grocery shop and activate the dongle. Now all I want to do is go to bed and my room is full of workers. Oh well, lessons in patience.
The flights were not bad, but I barely made my connecting flight in Hong Kong, so, of course, my bags did not make it. I am hoping for them to arrive tomorrow.
Add to that the fact that no-one was there to meet me at the airport. I had to spend a lot of time working out my luggage, then try to find my ride, which did not exist. Finally, I took a taxi and checked into the Ramada downtown. I was so over tired that I could not sleep. So I started to find out what had happened with my ride and my intended stay. It turns out the my friend Nirmala has had a recurrence of her cancer and has been deathly ill for over a month now. Today, after a lot of phoning around, I discovered all this news and finally came to Nirmala's house only to find it filthy dirty. I was going to move over to a clean hostel hotel, but Nirmala's secretary has mobilized the troops and there is a cleaning crew in here.
I have not even been in the country 24 hours and all my old friends are fully mobilized. My friend Jayanthi came to collect me from the hotel and brought me to Nirmala's. My former landlady has been beating the bushes all day and may have found an apartment for me to rent. In the meantime, I will be staying here because they have said that if I stay, they can bring Nirmala home. Needless to say, I am willing to put up with almost anything in order to help her out.
I am now linked up to the internet by a thing called a dongle. It is just a USB stick, but I love the name. I have a cell phone number which has been ringing non-stop. I am taking Nirmala's 200+ year old house and modernizing it. I even bought a power bar so I could plug all my electronics in.
It took from 10AM to 3:30PM to get here, get the dongle, buy the power bar, change money, do a grocery shop and activate the dongle. Now all I want to do is go to bed and my room is full of workers. Oh well, lessons in patience.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
November 21, 2012 1139
So here I am at the Vancouver Airport. Check in went smooth as silk. Apparently, I will make my connection in Hong Kong without any problem as well.
Just as we were driving to the airport i started to feel a bit anxious with some shortness of breath. Still a little, but not bad. I guess it had to hit me sometime. I am flying into a brave new life. It is still hard to believe that the next bed I sleep in will be in Asia.
Once I have recovered from my long flight ordeal, I will blog again. Stay tuned. There will be a lot more.
Just as we were driving to the airport i started to feel a bit anxious with some shortness of breath. Still a little, but not bad. I guess it had to hit me sometime. I am flying into a brave new life. It is still hard to believe that the next bed I sleep in will be in Asia.
Once I have recovered from my long flight ordeal, I will blog again. Stay tuned. There will be a lot more.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
November 21, 2012
Today is my last day in Canada. Last night I started to feel some trepidation. No point in dwelling on it. If you don't take a chance, nothing happens.
It has been a fun few days in Vancouver. Said good-bye to Granville Island where I decided to become a vegetarian almost 30 years ago. Saw the new Bond flick. It is great. He lived up to all my expectations. Unlike the other Bonds since Sean Connery, Daniel Craig's movies are getting better. Well, the second one was a bit lame, but they have redeemed themselves with this one.
Made it to the Bacchus Lounge every day. Great martinis.
So, it is see you later Canada. You have been great to me. I will always consider you to be home.
It has been a fun few days in Vancouver. Said good-bye to Granville Island where I decided to become a vegetarian almost 30 years ago. Saw the new Bond flick. It is great. He lived up to all my expectations. Unlike the other Bonds since Sean Connery, Daniel Craig's movies are getting better. Well, the second one was a bit lame, but they have redeemed themselves with this one.
Made it to the Bacchus Lounge every day. Great martinis.
So, it is see you later Canada. You have been great to me. I will always consider you to be home.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
November 16, 2012
60 years old! Who'd a thunk it!
It has been quite a day. A lot of good-byes or should I say auf wiedersehen. The emotion of the day has been a bit overwhelming but oddly invigorating as well.
My birthday party was wonderful. I am so blessed to have so many good friends. Friendship is not defined by time. From some of my oldest friends who I have known for 43 years to ones I only met 6 months ago, they are all precious to me.
I am still not fully aware that I will be leaving Vancouver Island in just over 1 day. My time in Qualicum Beach especially has been wonderful. I had wanted to live here for so long and feel that I should have moved here before I did in 2001, but better late than never. I thought then that Qualicum would be the last stop, but I was wrong. Something impels me on, and I have to follow.
Next stop Sri Lanka. Hold on!
It has been quite a day. A lot of good-byes or should I say auf wiedersehen. The emotion of the day has been a bit overwhelming but oddly invigorating as well.
My birthday party was wonderful. I am so blessed to have so many good friends. Friendship is not defined by time. From some of my oldest friends who I have known for 43 years to ones I only met 6 months ago, they are all precious to me.
I am still not fully aware that I will be leaving Vancouver Island in just over 1 day. My time in Qualicum Beach especially has been wonderful. I had wanted to live here for so long and feel that I should have moved here before I did in 2001, but better late than never. I thought then that Qualicum would be the last stop, but I was wrong. Something impels me on, and I have to follow.
Next stop Sri Lanka. Hold on!
Friday, 16 November 2012
November 15, 2012
Today was my last day at work. I am doing the $10M happy dance. I am very glad to be done. 10 years of anything, even something you like is enough.
However, it was emotional also. Some people were very hard to say good-bye to. My client Kathy I will miss very much. She has blossomed into a confident, together woman in the 5 years we have been together.
Saying good-bye to my business partners, Grai and Wanetta was the hardest. We have been together over 11 years. It will be very unusual not to see them every morning. They have had a huge impact on my life. They will never know how much.
However, it was emotional also. Some people were very hard to say good-bye to. My client Kathy I will miss very much. She has blossomed into a confident, together woman in the 5 years we have been together.
Saying good-bye to my business partners, Grai and Wanetta was the hardest. We have been together over 11 years. It will be very unusual not to see them every morning. They have had a huge impact on my life. They will never know how much.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
October 23, 2012
Only 29 days left to go. Now I am getting excited. I received my Sri Lankan visa today. Good for 90 days, but once I am in the country they will never get rid of me.
Time is really slipping away now. All my weekends are booked until my departure, so things will really whiz by.
My income tax for 2012 is done, so the only thing left to do is sell my Jimbo. If anyone wants to buy a 1993 GMC Jimmy in excellent condition and has $1800, it is yours.
Time is really slipping away now. All my weekends are booked until my departure, so things will really whiz by.
My income tax for 2012 is done, so the only thing left to do is sell my Jimbo. If anyone wants to buy a 1993 GMC Jimmy in excellent condition and has $1800, it is yours.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
September 17, 2012
I have sent in my visa application to the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa. Now, it is just a waiting game for them to approve it and send it back. They say you only need a month. I have given myself over 2 months to get the visa approval. I need a special endorsement as I want to convert it into a residence visa once I get there.
I have also started to make my last move in Canada. As of Thursday this week, I will be living at my friends the Marions; my last port of call in Canada.
There are a lot of lasts being checked off my list. This past weekend, my friend Pamela and I went for a beach walk. The weather was spectacular and I walked in bare feet on the lovely cool sand. It was a perfect day and a perfect book end. When I moved to Qualicum 11 years ago, Pamela, Blake and I walked on the same beach and would burst out simultaneously: "We live here!" Qualicum really is a magical place, especially when the weather is like it has been for the last couple of weeks. I am glad I get to carry so many good memories with me.
I have also started to make my last move in Canada. As of Thursday this week, I will be living at my friends the Marions; my last port of call in Canada.
There are a lot of lasts being checked off my list. This past weekend, my friend Pamela and I went for a beach walk. The weather was spectacular and I walked in bare feet on the lovely cool sand. It was a perfect day and a perfect book end. When I moved to Qualicum 11 years ago, Pamela, Blake and I walked on the same beach and would burst out simultaneously: "We live here!" Qualicum really is a magical place, especially when the weather is like it has been for the last couple of weeks. I am glad I get to carry so many good memories with me.
Thursday, 6 September 2012
September 5, 2012
Well, today was exciting. I had my first, and I hope, last ride in an ambulance.
I went to the gym as usual for an 8:00 client. We were chatting while she warmed up and I said I was feeling peculiar like I had indigestion. She said that women manifested heart attack symptoms that were quite different from men, just in conversation. The indigestion got worse and then I felt pressure against my diaphram, then pain in my left chest. Now I was worried.
One of my colleagues is a nurse, so I asked her. She said that I should have it looked at. I thought that I would finish my client and then phone my doctor who I have seen only once in 6 years. My colleague said, no she meant immediately. I phoned the doctor's office, but of course, they weren't open. Then she said I should go to emergency in Port Alberni. I called a friend to come to get me to take me to Port Alberni. In the mean time, my left cheek started to feel a little numb and my jaw started to ache.
I was trying to call the hospital in Port Alberni to say we were on our way, along with my symptoms. By the by, they don't answer their phone in Port Alberni. While I was doing that, my colleague came over to see how I was and decided that things were not going well and called the ambulance. Now I was having chills as well.
So off I went to Nanaimo hospital. I asked them to take me to Port Alberni, but they said that they would not take sick people there. One of them even lives in Port and felt the same way. Not a really good recommendation for Port Alberni hospital.
They tested me for everything: ECG, chest x-ray, blood work. Everything came back normal. The doctor said that he was a bit concerned as the symptoms I described were classic of a mild heart attack. I even tasted a metalic flavour at the end which is the taste of adrenalin. So everything turned out OK, but I think I did have a very mild heart attack.
I guess I have been under more pressure than I realized. Everything is back to normal now, but that is an experience I do not want to repeat.
Thanks you to the B.C. Ambulance Service and the staff at Nanaimo emergency.
I went to the gym as usual for an 8:00 client. We were chatting while she warmed up and I said I was feeling peculiar like I had indigestion. She said that women manifested heart attack symptoms that were quite different from men, just in conversation. The indigestion got worse and then I felt pressure against my diaphram, then pain in my left chest. Now I was worried.
One of my colleagues is a nurse, so I asked her. She said that I should have it looked at. I thought that I would finish my client and then phone my doctor who I have seen only once in 6 years. My colleague said, no she meant immediately. I phoned the doctor's office, but of course, they weren't open. Then she said I should go to emergency in Port Alberni. I called a friend to come to get me to take me to Port Alberni. In the mean time, my left cheek started to feel a little numb and my jaw started to ache.
I was trying to call the hospital in Port Alberni to say we were on our way, along with my symptoms. By the by, they don't answer their phone in Port Alberni. While I was doing that, my colleague came over to see how I was and decided that things were not going well and called the ambulance. Now I was having chills as well.
So off I went to Nanaimo hospital. I asked them to take me to Port Alberni, but they said that they would not take sick people there. One of them even lives in Port and felt the same way. Not a really good recommendation for Port Alberni hospital.
They tested me for everything: ECG, chest x-ray, blood work. Everything came back normal. The doctor said that he was a bit concerned as the symptoms I described were classic of a mild heart attack. I even tasted a metalic flavour at the end which is the taste of adrenalin. So everything turned out OK, but I think I did have a very mild heart attack.
I guess I have been under more pressure than I realized. Everything is back to normal now, but that is an experience I do not want to repeat.
Thanks you to the B.C. Ambulance Service and the staff at Nanaimo emergency.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
September 1, 2012
It has been an eventful few days. Wim and Layla moved out on Wednesday. Packing continued and by Thursday afternoon everything that I could do was done. Friday saw the final dump run in Qualicum. It has been at least 5 years since I went to dump and it looks like a trash megalopolis now.
Last night my lovely cat, Tazz was relocated. I knew that I would shed a tear over him and I did.
This morning, the movers arrived even before the appointed time. All went well. They are very professional. If anyone is moving, I can highly recommend AMJ Campbell. They were packed with all 44 of my pieces by 1300. I said good bye to the house and was out by 1330.
I thought that saying good bye to the house would be hard. After all, I have lived in that house for the longest period during my adult life. It was/is a great house and many good times were had there. It was very good to me. I remembered all of that and appreciated it, but at the end of the day, I am happy to be moving on. New adventures await, and there will be other great houses.
This has been a great leap forward in the process of leaving Canada. Now I can relax for a couple of months before I embark on the next big step.
Stay tuned.
Last night my lovely cat, Tazz was relocated. I knew that I would shed a tear over him and I did.
This morning, the movers arrived even before the appointed time. All went well. They are very professional. If anyone is moving, I can highly recommend AMJ Campbell. They were packed with all 44 of my pieces by 1300. I said good bye to the house and was out by 1330.
I thought that saying good bye to the house would be hard. After all, I have lived in that house for the longest period during my adult life. It was/is a great house and many good times were had there. It was very good to me. I remembered all of that and appreciated it, but at the end of the day, I am happy to be moving on. New adventures await, and there will be other great houses.
This has been a great leap forward in the process of leaving Canada. Now I can relax for a couple of months before I embark on the next big step.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
August 21, 2012
3 months to the day that I leave for Sri Lanka.
No sign of any visa yet, but now I will take matters into my own hands and start dealing with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa.
Packing continues apace. 4 boxes so far. 2 today. All shoes and hand bags. A girl can't have too many of those. At this rate, I will be finished my part of the packing by the weekend. That leaves next week for all those last minute things that always come up.
No sign of any visa yet, but now I will take matters into my own hands and start dealing with the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa.
Packing continues apace. 4 boxes so far. 2 today. All shoes and hand bags. A girl can't have too many of those. At this rate, I will be finished my part of the packing by the weekend. That leaves next week for all those last minute things that always come up.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
August 19, 2012
Had the Last Party last night. It was fun. Not as many people showed up as I had thought, but those that did had a good time, I hope.
In the midst of preparing for the party, I sold my bedroom set. 3 less things to take with me.
Box packing starts today.
In the midst of preparing for the party, I sold my bedroom set. 3 less things to take with me.
Box packing starts today.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
August 18, 2012
The Belgian Chocolates and I went to the Calico Cat to get our tea leaves read. We did the same thing last year. I thought it was much more interesting and a better reading than then.
The good news for me is that my lovely cat Tazz is going to be alright. He is lying here right now as I write being my furry supervisor. He will be going to his last home. Wim and Marleen, my Belgian friends have agreed to take him, so he will stay in Qualicum.
The tea leaf lady also said I will be going to paradise and I will be calm there. I will have some immigration problems, but what would take others 11 months to sort out, I will do in 2. She said there will be 2 bureaucrats that will be involved in my case that I will have to push, but after all is said and done, we will be friends. There will be hoop jumping and ass kissing involved.
She further said that I will be living in an ideal climate where there is some humidity, but not oppressive. She also saw me walking a lot and climbing especially stairs. She said I will be training, but will also be involved in exporting. Sounds like a tea garden to me. Yippee!
Tonight is the Last Party. I am looking forward to it.
The good news for me is that my lovely cat Tazz is going to be alright. He is lying here right now as I write being my furry supervisor. He will be going to his last home. Wim and Marleen, my Belgian friends have agreed to take him, so he will stay in Qualicum.
The tea leaf lady also said I will be going to paradise and I will be calm there. I will have some immigration problems, but what would take others 11 months to sort out, I will do in 2. She said there will be 2 bureaucrats that will be involved in my case that I will have to push, but after all is said and done, we will be friends. There will be hoop jumping and ass kissing involved.
She further said that I will be living in an ideal climate where there is some humidity, but not oppressive. She also saw me walking a lot and climbing especially stairs. She said I will be training, but will also be involved in exporting. Sounds like a tea garden to me. Yippee!
Tonight is the Last Party. I am looking forward to it.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
August 15, 2012
The boxes, paper and packing tape arrived yesterday. No time to pack today as I have to get to COSTCO after work to buy stuff for the Last Party.
Weighed my bags yesterday. Needless to say, those 15 pairs of shoes and 10 handbags did not help my cause. After some strategic unpacking, I am right on weight at 66lbs. I even have 3.2lbs. left in my carry on. May have to do some creative repacking one more time.
Weighed my bags yesterday. Needless to say, those 15 pairs of shoes and 10 handbags did not help my cause. After some strategic unpacking, I am right on weight at 66lbs. I even have 3.2lbs. left in my carry on. May have to do some creative repacking one more time.
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Later on August 11
Well, this is harder than I thought. I have only 1 suitcase packed. The exciting news is that I am having to put a Sri Lankan address on my luggage tags. This is starting to feel real. Eek!
August 11, 2012
Today I start my blog.
It is 19 more sleeps until I move out of my house. The Inghams have kindly offered to house me until I leave Qualicum on November 18. Then on November 21, it is off to Sri Lanka.
This is the last weekend I have to pack my suitcases. The good news is that there is no limit on the number of pieces of luggage I can take with me. There is a weight limit, but as I am in business class, it is 30kgs. Even I should be able to manage with that along with a good size carry on bag and a briefcase.
Although I have done this before, it will be interesting to pack my life of an indeterminate number of months into just 4 suitcases.
I will let you know how I do tomorrow.
It is 19 more sleeps until I move out of my house. The Inghams have kindly offered to house me until I leave Qualicum on November 18. Then on November 21, it is off to Sri Lanka.
This is the last weekend I have to pack my suitcases. The good news is that there is no limit on the number of pieces of luggage I can take with me. There is a weight limit, but as I am in business class, it is 30kgs. Even I should be able to manage with that along with a good size carry on bag and a briefcase.
Although I have done this before, it will be interesting to pack my life of an indeterminate number of months into just 4 suitcases.
I will let you know how I do tomorrow.
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