We had the block party. Quite a difference from the others I have been to. Usually you bring some food, your own drinks and a chair to sit on and that's it. Not here. They put up a marquis right in front of my place, rented tables and chairs. Some of the tables were the round ones with Heineken umbrellas so there was a real cafe atmosphere. Lights were strung up everywhere along with balloons. There was a bar set up with wine, beer and hard liquor. They hired caterers who set up like it was a wedding. There was even an outdoor sink for people to wash their hands. They made hoppers as you waited and there was a wide variety of curries and salads. All the chefs were dressed in full white aprons and chefs hats. Everything was in silver salvers. And all this for probably under Rs.1000 which is about C$8.
There was music and games; pin the eye on the elephant (you can guess what we call this), musical chairs. It was nice to meet the neighbours. One of them who I had already met has been living here since the development began 7 years ago and there were some people she had never met before. Good on the 3 men who organised things. Just goes to show when Sri Lankans want to do something, they can really make it happen.
Here are the morning preparations. I could not take pics at night as I don't have a proper camera.
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| This is the marquis right in front of my gate. |
Everything wound up by midnight so there was not too much disturbance. I left just after 10. It was fine, but not everyone speaks English and you can't expect those who do to sit and entertain you all night. So I watched the games, ate, had a glass of wine and quietly slunk off.
This morning's exercise saw 3 parakeets doing aerial acrobatics. It was fantastic.
Off to see some new houses on Saturday with my friend Rushma's uncle Mano. She is Muslim dating an American Buddhist and her uncle is Buddhist married to a Catholic. That is what I call ecumenism.
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