Five of us for lunch yesterday along with the Kawasaki's driver and Veenitha. Only expats. They are all Americans. Great company.
All the Greek food turned out well. Ken and Visakha brought a cake for Ken's birthday, so all together we had a grand time. Even the lame olives turned out fine.
What a godsend Veenitha is. I couldn't have done it without her. We cooked everything in the morning. Then she cleaned the entire house, made lunch for herself and Ashoka as they will not eat anything but rice and curry, cleaned up all the dishes, leaving the kitchen spotless.
Drank far too much coffee, so only had about 3 hours sleep. Have to cut back.
Will spend today catching up on my normal routine. My exercise, book and Hungarian have been put on the back burner for the last 2 days getting ready for the luncheon. There is a lot more work involved when you can't just open a packet and serve. Must say, it tastes much better made from scratch.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Thursday, 29 August 2013
August 29, 2013
Living in a cloud forest.
Off for fur/claw again. The months just fly by.
Then back home to cook some Greek food for a luncheon tomorrow. Writing my book, flamenco, and reading Hungarian. I have started with my children's books which I have to read aloud to pronounce out the words. It is slow going, but the more I do it, the better I get. By the time I get to the adult books, I should be able to read silently.
Off for fur/claw again. The months just fly by.
Then back home to cook some Greek food for a luncheon tomorrow. Writing my book, flamenco, and reading Hungarian. I have started with my children's books which I have to read aloud to pronounce out the words. It is slow going, but the more I do it, the better I get. By the time I get to the adult books, I should be able to read silently.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
August 28, 2013
Just finished cooking up a whole North Indian feast with Veenitha. This is great. I have all the benefits of cooking without the drudge work. I get her to do the chopping and cleaning up. All the parts that any cook hates. It is like being a chef in a high class restaurant. You get a sous chef who even makes you an espresso afterwards. The latter, I am sipping on right now.
We made bengan bharta, palak paneer using some unnamed local greens, and an okra dish with curd. Will make for a great lunch tomorrow.
We had the mother of thunder storms last night. It poured with rain and the lightning was continuous. The power went, but there was no need for it as the lightning provided all the light you needed. The thunder just kept rolling like a continuous stream of 747s landing. The cat and I curled up together in bed and huddled until it passed. It lasted about an hour all told. A lot of water can come down in that time. The river is full to the high water mark again.
Finally Face Timed with my friend Marg this morning. It was good to catch up. The technology never ceases to amaze me. I must be getting old.
As I was sitting on my exercise bike this morning, I saw a green thing streak past me. Some kind of small bright green bird. I don't know what it is because I just got a glimpse of it and there are a lot of green birds that are endemic here. But a thrill to have seen one for the first time. It landed in a coconut tree close to the river. It is exactly the same green as the coconut fronds and therefore is perfectly camouflaged.
Spoke with my friend Devaraj this morning. He says there is trouble brewing in the government. The president has gone on a state visit to Belarus, which is strange since Sri Lanka has minimal relations with Belarus and neither country has much to offer the other. I think it may be a possible exit ploy by the president. If there is a move towards a coup, which has been rumoured for weeks now, he will be well out of harms way. A good strategy as the coup will come eventually. If he is here, he will be assassinated. Only time will tell.
We made bengan bharta, palak paneer using some unnamed local greens, and an okra dish with curd. Will make for a great lunch tomorrow.
We had the mother of thunder storms last night. It poured with rain and the lightning was continuous. The power went, but there was no need for it as the lightning provided all the light you needed. The thunder just kept rolling like a continuous stream of 747s landing. The cat and I curled up together in bed and huddled until it passed. It lasted about an hour all told. A lot of water can come down in that time. The river is full to the high water mark again.
Finally Face Timed with my friend Marg this morning. It was good to catch up. The technology never ceases to amaze me. I must be getting old.
As I was sitting on my exercise bike this morning, I saw a green thing streak past me. Some kind of small bright green bird. I don't know what it is because I just got a glimpse of it and there are a lot of green birds that are endemic here. But a thrill to have seen one for the first time. It landed in a coconut tree close to the river. It is exactly the same green as the coconut fronds and therefore is perfectly camouflaged.
Spoke with my friend Devaraj this morning. He says there is trouble brewing in the government. The president has gone on a state visit to Belarus, which is strange since Sri Lanka has minimal relations with Belarus and neither country has much to offer the other. I think it may be a possible exit ploy by the president. If there is a move towards a coup, which has been rumoured for weeks now, he will be well out of harms way. A good strategy as the coup will come eventually. If he is here, he will be assassinated. Only time will tell.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
August 27, 2013
Did not write my book yesterday, as Ranjith and Handy were over to do some work which required the usual baby sitting service. Plus, I had to go out to do the weekly grocery shop. I took Veenitha with me. So it was the fruit vendor for papaya, banana, curd, pineapple. They had no tambili (King Coconut), so that meant another stop. Then Hewage, my local market for vegetables. I managed to get mint, which is quite rare and also parsley. Now I have all the ingredients for tabbouleh. Can hardly wait.Then Ratanake Bakers for twice baked bread and butter (pound) cake. I took Veenitha back and then headed out again.
Off to the bank where the ATM was out of order. So then off the Kandy City Centre to find an ATM. Success! Also stopped into the Apple dealer to ask if they knew where I could get a 1TB hard drive. They are a great source of product and info. They did know, so I went to Champa Stores and got the hard drive. Now my computer is backed up. Not bad after 25 years.
Then off to Arpico where I found the parsley and red pepper along with low fat feta to complete my tabbouleh recipe. The pet store was next to get salt which turned out to be inedible. Then the baker supply shop to get almonds. No one stop shopping here. You have to make at least 3 stops to get what you need.
The bats have been driving my batty. According to the internet moth balls or Mylar balloons will keep them away. I do not want to use moth balls, because I have to smell it too. There are no Mylar balloons in Sri Lanka, so I came up with this solution. There were no bats last night, so lets hope. I got Handy to scrub their perches with vinegar water which I am sure will also be unpleasant for them.
Off to the bank where the ATM was out of order. So then off the Kandy City Centre to find an ATM. Success! Also stopped into the Apple dealer to ask if they knew where I could get a 1TB hard drive. They are a great source of product and info. They did know, so I went to Champa Stores and got the hard drive. Now my computer is backed up. Not bad after 25 years.
Then off to Arpico where I found the parsley and red pepper along with low fat feta to complete my tabbouleh recipe. The pet store was next to get salt which turned out to be inedible. Then the baker supply shop to get almonds. No one stop shopping here. You have to make at least 3 stops to get what you need.
The bats have been driving my batty. According to the internet moth balls or Mylar balloons will keep them away. I do not want to use moth balls, because I have to smell it too. There are no Mylar balloons in Sri Lanka, so I came up with this solution. There were no bats last night, so lets hope. I got Handy to scrub their perches with vinegar water which I am sure will also be unpleasant for them.
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| Party decorations to keep the bats away. So far so good. |
Sunday, 25 August 2013
August 19, 2013
Never say never. After saying that I wasn't going anywhere near the Perahera, I went last night. Amal is a member of the Crystal Circle which is a special high roller section of the Hatton National Bank. Their main Kandy branch is right downtown and right outside the gates to the Maligawa. So we had plush seats on the balcony, with a snack thrown in. We had expected a buffet dinner with wine, so we were a bit disappointed by that, but the vantage point was great.
I also learned that the Perahera actually goes on for 10 days, with the parade every night. Last night was beginning of the long parade. There are 5 temples involved. It is lead off by the Maligawa, The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in Kandy, dating back to the 14th Century.
The third is from the Vishnu Devale (Vishnu being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale. The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of Katharagama, identified with the warrior god Skanda) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in Kandy). This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dancers carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders. The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale (Pattini being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has women dances. So here are some pics:
All in all a great experience, but not as good as the one 25 years ago. Everything in Sri Lanka is going down hill.
I also learned that the Perahera actually goes on for 10 days, with the parade every night. Last night was beginning of the long parade. There are 5 temples involved. It is lead off by the Maligawa, The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in Kandy, dating back to the 14th Century.
The third is from the Vishnu Devale (Vishnu being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in front of the main gate of the Natha Devale. The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of Katharagama, identified with the warrior god Skanda) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in Kandy). This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dancers carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders. The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale (Pattini being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has women dances. So here are some pics:
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| The crowd assembles. This is about 6PM. Some people stake out their places from the morning. |
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| The VIP balcony at the Queen's Hotel. This is from where I saw the Perahera the first time I saw it. |
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| I need a proper camera. The procession is led by whip crackers after a loud bang like a cannon going off announces the start. The buildings are decorated with strings of lights. |
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| Then come the fire jugglers. They are amazing. Throwing their flaming circular torches in the air. All in bare feet. |
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| As you can see, I was fascinated by these fire people. These guys are doing it on stilts. |
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| The first of 78 elephants. Always the best part. They are all lit. The Maligawa goes first, has the most elephants, 43, and they are all lit in white lights. |
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| Between the elephants are troupes of drummers and dancers from all over the country. Many of the elephants were dancing with the drum beat. |
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| 3 babies |
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| Each section ends with a relic from the temple being carried in an ornate structure on the back of a huge tusker. The tusks are polished and caped with ornate silver caps. This is the Maligawa. |
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| The Natha Devale elephants wear yellow lights. |
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| The Vishnu Devale uses blue lights. |
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| This is the Vishnu Devala relic. The blue is quite spectacular. |
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| These are the peacock dancers from the Kataragama Devala. |
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| Kataragama Devala uses red lights. |
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| These guys were dressed up like a glitzy group from the disco era. |
August 25, 2013
Did an hour of gardening before it gets too hot. Here is my latest plant. An avocado tree, eventually.
Here is a painting I brought with me and had framed here. For the benefit of B-J. Wendy's painting looks pretty good and fits in perfectly. After all, it is an Asian elephant.
Managed to write for over an hour yesterday. It is true that if you do it every day, it just flows out of you. Mind you, I haven't made it out of Hungary yet.
Danced a bit of Flamenco yesterday as well. Getting back in touch with my gypsy roots.
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| Have to protect it from the sun for a few days. |
Managed to write for over an hour yesterday. It is true that if you do it every day, it just flows out of you. Mind you, I haven't made it out of Hungary yet.
Danced a bit of Flamenco yesterday as well. Getting back in touch with my gypsy roots.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
August 24. 2013
I am trying to start writing my book, working title, My Life as Houses. So far it sucks. My friend B-J says just to write everything down and then keep redrafting it. My friend Amal, who writes beautifully, says that is a discipline that you have to do every day. I am going to take both their advice.
I have been watching the mini-series, A Year in Provence, based on the book by Peter Mayle. It is charming and inspiring. Amazing how everyday events can me interesting and humorous if presented the right way.
Went out for drinks and dinner last night with Mike, Amal and Sunali. What a bunch of Gloomy Guses. I expect it from Amal and Sunali, who are always complaining about things Sri Lankan. I guess they feel they can, as they are Sri Lankan themselves. But Mike, who is American, is usually so upbeat. He was confessing last night that he is quite depressed, and it showed. I am a bit worried about him. Yes, things here can be bad, but you have to take it in your stride and try to see the funny side.
So it is back to the book for me. Am trying to write at least 5 days a week.
I have been watching the mini-series, A Year in Provence, based on the book by Peter Mayle. It is charming and inspiring. Amazing how everyday events can me interesting and humorous if presented the right way.
Went out for drinks and dinner last night with Mike, Amal and Sunali. What a bunch of Gloomy Guses. I expect it from Amal and Sunali, who are always complaining about things Sri Lankan. I guess they feel they can, as they are Sri Lankan themselves. But Mike, who is American, is usually so upbeat. He was confessing last night that he is quite depressed, and it showed. I am a bit worried about him. Yes, things here can be bad, but you have to take it in your stride and try to see the funny side.
So it is back to the book for me. Am trying to write at least 5 days a week.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
August 15. 2013
Finally, I have my office chair. No more backaches. The thing adjusts 7 different ways, so you can fit it exactly to your needs. It cost me almost as much as one would in Canada, so it had better be good. The colour even matches the mahogany.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
August 14, 2013
Went into Kandy town yesterday to do some shopping only to discover that the Perahera is still on. Stupidly, I thought that it consisted only of the parade which took place on the night of the 11th. Oh no! Sri Lankans are not ones to miss a good celebration. Perahera goes on until the 20th, a full 10 days. Kandy town is not only crowded, but there are loud speakers all over blasting out music at 10 decibels. There was one right next to the store I go to. Apparently, it starts at 7 in the morning and goes until 8 at night. I would go mad.
I cleaned out this plant in my garden the other day and got some nice flowers off it. Unfortunately, I also got a lot of mosquito and spider bites. The plant looks good now though.
Finally got around to making a smoothy yesterday. Liz Forrest would be proud of me. Banana, pineapple, papaya, avocado and fresh tambili; King Coconut. No need for sugar, the fruit is sweet enough. Tasted great and I felt good after drinking it.
I cleaned out this plant in my garden the other day and got some nice flowers off it. Unfortunately, I also got a lot of mosquito and spider bites. The plant looks good now though.
Finally got around to making a smoothy yesterday. Liz Forrest would be proud of me. Banana, pineapple, papaya, avocado and fresh tambili; King Coconut. No need for sugar, the fruit is sweet enough. Tasted great and I felt good after drinking it.
Monday, 12 August 2013
August 12, 2013
I had my first dinner party since coming here almost 9 months ago. Almost like giving birth. Fittingly, my first guests were Amal and Sunali. If it hadn't been for them, I would not have made it past week 2 in this place.
I had decided to do Mexican food as I had two lovely avocados from Veenitha's garden. Then my tuktuk man, Namal dropped off 4 more huge variety avocados from his garden. So Veenitha and I happily made veg chili.
Even that was fun. I used an old recipe from the original Moosewood cookbook. Those of us who have been vegetarian for a long time, know this book as a trail blazing effort. It calls for bulghar which is not available here, so I substituted couscous. Then I got to thinking what I could do to give it more substance, as if it had meat in it. I decided to use banana flower and some locally grown mushrooms. It came out great. The banana flower especially gave it a real meaty texture while leaving the taste quite fresh. The only rub was none of those lovely avocados were ripe, so I had to make a sort of raita/tzatziki instead. At least I managed to find cilantro that gave it a bit of Mexican edge. Chapaptis rounded out the main course subbing for tortillas.
We started with homemade hummus at which I am becoming quite adept with Arabic bread which I managed to find at Keel's. I made hot vichyssoise as the starter that turned out very well using coconut milk instead of cream. Sunali made a flan for desert along with my fruit salad. In the end, quite a fusion meal, but we enjoyed it. Washed it all down with quite a good Chilean reserve merlot and good strong espresso coffee.
We had a great time. They didn't leave until 1AM.
Having thought ahead, I had arranged for Veenitha to come at 4 to clean the house before they came and then to do the serving and cleaning up after dinner. She stayed the night so I even got bed tea in the morning. I gave her a big bonus for doing this, so it cost me a whopping $9.50.
Yesterday night was Perahera. Amal said that it was crazy driving through Kandy town even on Saturday evening. Anyhow, I am going to avoid the town for one more day and not venture out until tomorrow.
I had decided to do Mexican food as I had two lovely avocados from Veenitha's garden. Then my tuktuk man, Namal dropped off 4 more huge variety avocados from his garden. So Veenitha and I happily made veg chili.
Even that was fun. I used an old recipe from the original Moosewood cookbook. Those of us who have been vegetarian for a long time, know this book as a trail blazing effort. It calls for bulghar which is not available here, so I substituted couscous. Then I got to thinking what I could do to give it more substance, as if it had meat in it. I decided to use banana flower and some locally grown mushrooms. It came out great. The banana flower especially gave it a real meaty texture while leaving the taste quite fresh. The only rub was none of those lovely avocados were ripe, so I had to make a sort of raita/tzatziki instead. At least I managed to find cilantro that gave it a bit of Mexican edge. Chapaptis rounded out the main course subbing for tortillas.
We started with homemade hummus at which I am becoming quite adept with Arabic bread which I managed to find at Keel's. I made hot vichyssoise as the starter that turned out very well using coconut milk instead of cream. Sunali made a flan for desert along with my fruit salad. In the end, quite a fusion meal, but we enjoyed it. Washed it all down with quite a good Chilean reserve merlot and good strong espresso coffee.
We had a great time. They didn't leave until 1AM.
Having thought ahead, I had arranged for Veenitha to come at 4 to clean the house before they came and then to do the serving and cleaning up after dinner. She stayed the night so I even got bed tea in the morning. I gave her a big bonus for doing this, so it cost me a whopping $9.50.
Yesterday night was Perahera. Amal said that it was crazy driving through Kandy town even on Saturday evening. Anyhow, I am going to avoid the town for one more day and not venture out until tomorrow.
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
August 6, 2013
On the third day of morning and evening chanting by Buddhist monks at the house next door. It is enough to drive you nuts. According to Veenitha, they are blessing the house. It must have a lot of ghouls in it to need this much blessing. Being as I have to put up with the droning chant, maybe some of it will rub off on me. Today is the last day, thank Buddha!
Watched 2 seasons of Homeland. For those of you have not seen it, give it a try. Unlike most American TV series, it is not all white hats vs. black hats. Lots of shades of grey. Looking forward to season 3.
Watched 2 seasons of Homeland. For those of you have not seen it, give it a try. Unlike most American TV series, it is not all white hats vs. black hats. Lots of shades of grey. Looking forward to season 3.
Monday, 5 August 2013
August 5, 2013
Back in the monsoon, or whatever it is, and with a vengeance. Raining like mad right now and for the last two days. It is like living in a cloud forest.
Went for fur/claw on Friday and decided to do something different with my hair. You can't do much with really short, so I did this. Harry Potter Head
Went for fur/claw on Friday and decided to do something different with my hair. You can't do much with really short, so I did this. Harry Potter Head
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| My hair dresser did a good job. He used a straight razor to make a clear cut. I never thought that I would have a straight razor used on me. They really do a great job. I have watched too many movies where the guy gets his throat cut while being shaved. |
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| Veenitha brought her youngest daughter over the other day. She works in a garment factory. Nice girl. Can't be more than 16 or 17. I can't imagine what her future looks like. We have so many advantages in the developed world. |
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| My Queen of Kandy. New cushions on the veranda, so of course, we have lie on them. |
Friday, 2 August 2013
August 2. 2013
I'm off the dongle now, so I can blog again. Not too much to report. The rains are back with a vengence. We had sun for 3 days, but now it is pouring again.
Went up to Moorock on the 31st to have a look at the papaya plants. The ones that survived are about 4 feet tall and are starting to produce fruit. Only about 250 left out of the 500 that were planted. 50% loss to rabbits and the squirrels that are as big as raccoons.
Am making hummus today along with my own tahini. Everything is available, but it is not part of their cuisine, so you can't buy it and few people know how to make it. I will get Veenitha to make roti instead of pita bread to dip in it.
Had dinner a couple of times at Gunfire. Amal has some Australian acquaintances visiting. Lovely people, who lived in Indonesia for a while. They too are thinking of retiring and are contemplating moving back to Indonesia to do it. The cost of living is just too much in Australia, as it is in Canada.
I can't believe that a month has gone by already. I am off to fur/claw again today.
Went up to Moorock on the 31st to have a look at the papaya plants. The ones that survived are about 4 feet tall and are starting to produce fruit. Only about 250 left out of the 500 that were planted. 50% loss to rabbits and the squirrels that are as big as raccoons.
Am making hummus today along with my own tahini. Everything is available, but it is not part of their cuisine, so you can't buy it and few people know how to make it. I will get Veenitha to make roti instead of pita bread to dip in it.
Had dinner a couple of times at Gunfire. Amal has some Australian acquaintances visiting. Lovely people, who lived in Indonesia for a while. They too are thinking of retiring and are contemplating moving back to Indonesia to do it. The cost of living is just too much in Australia, as it is in Canada.
I can't believe that a month has gone by already. I am off to fur/claw again today.
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