I haven't blogged in a while as my dongle is now a FUgle. Finally, I went into the offices of the service provider where the lines are interminable. I demanded to see a manager and got immediate service. So miracle of miracles, she actually called me back but wanted me to bring in the machine. I have been trying to explain to these people that it is a 27" iMac that is heavy and expensive and that it just can't be packed around. They are a bit thick and don't know anything about Apple. It is a slow, lumbering PC world here. In the end, I demanded my money back and they agreed. Miracle number two!
Lots of things have been happening. I ordered all my furniture. I was getting desperate as the guy I had asked to quote on it has come back with a figure of US$13,500. I didn't know what to do as that amount is way beyond my budget when I spotted a new furniture store that I had not seen before. It turns that it is a temporary store set up by some carpenters from Morotuwa. Morotuwa is known for their furniture building. So I wandered in there with my friend Jayanthi and long story short, I ordered all the furniture I need for C$3500. All made to order out of mahogany. The only problem is that it will take a couple of months for them to make it as the wood has to be cured, but the good news is that they will lend me some furniture until mine is done, so I can move in later this week.
All the appliances have been bought. All the ceiling fans have been put in. The loaner furniture is there. I was out there yesterday with Jezeem, the third partner in our coconut project. He had some great ideas some of which are being put into place even now.
On the subject of Jez. He has a dog that he needs someone to take care of for a while until he can get a place to take her on a plantation. She is a lab/ridgeback cross. Just a puppy. How could I refuse? Right now she is cooped up in a second story flat. Plus, a dog would not be a bad idea for security. So I may have inherited a dog at least for a while.
I am rethinking the idea of buying a Tuktuk as well. It looks like I may have to be going out to the plantation on a regular basis which really can't be done with a Tuktuk. Also I can't drive one if an emergency arises. So now Jez is on the hunt for a car. Ironically, he says he may have a line on a Mitsubishi Lancer which what I owned when I lived here before. That lifetime Sri Lankan drivers lisence may come in handy yet.
I have been staying at Gunfire again for a couple of days. Amal is in India for a week and the Crazies are all in Colombo. Manil had been having blood pressure and sugar problems, so I have come to stay with her. Apart from the mosquitos, this place is great. I have had a couple of great sleeps. At the apartment, it is chorus of barking and howling dogs every night. The last night I spent there, it started at 10 and went on until 2:30. No wonder I am tired.
The male dog at Gunfire, Diego is in the hospital. Amal and I went to visit him the other night. If I get sick I want to be taken there. It is fantastic. It is the veterinary teaching hospital at Peradinya University. Clean, well equipped, professionally dressed staff and volunteers. Markedly different from the human hospital that Kumara was in when he had dengue.
So that is life here for the moment. All my friends are going to Colombo for weddings tomorrow. The 18th must be an auspicious day. I will run around and do more house work.
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