October 15, 2013

Finally have something of interest to report.  Last Friday, HSBC hosted a dance recital and dinner for their Premier customers.  Amal is one and was kind enough to pass on the invitation.  His Mother, Manil, Shanti, Sunali and I represented him.  The featured group were the Chitrasena Dancers.  Amal had told me that they are the Bolshoi of Sri Lanka.  He was not kidding.  They were fantastic.  Their dancing was phenomenal even down to their eye movements.  The prima ballerina was an inspiration.  I came home and the next day started back on a regular exercise program.

The whole party was great.  Free booze and food that went on the whole night.  A band after dinner for dancing and a box of chocolates for everyone on the way out.  I don't know of banks in Canada that show their appreciation that way.  Mind you, HSBC can afford it.  The new CEO was there, and Irishman, saying that HSBC is the most profitable private bank in Sri Lanka.

The next night I was invited to go to Oktoberfest at one of the big hotels, but I didn't feel like spending the night with a bunch of drunken Sri Lanken men.  Very few people here know how to drink socially.  They drink to get drunk.  Not fun.

On Sunday, I went to my friend Mike's for a coffee party.  He had received some coffee from Belize and wanted to share it.  The coffee was great.  I took my espresso maker and had a very fine mellow cup of coffee.  I also took guacamole and Mike made apple fritters.  Plus the company was good, so all in all a good time.

Today I am off the the dentist.  I can't believe that 6 months has already gone by.  Almost one year since I came here.  Then over to Sunali's for dinner. 

Here is my latest work of art.

This is what I see when I sit at my pantry table for when I am taking meals on my own.  Got tired of looking at a blank wall.

Off to water the plants.  It has been stinking hot these days so the plants need lots of water.  My bougainvillea are finally blooming.  I had been giving them too much water.  Now with watering just once a week, they are bringing lovely blossoms.