Monica arrived last night. Everything went off without a hitch. The trip down took only 2 1/2 hours while the trip back was only 2. The plane arrived early and she was unscathed despite the long flight. It is great to see her.
Let the fun begin!
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
March 25, 2015
Went for art club yesterday. Still pathetic on the painting side, but the lunches are getting even better. Yesterday, Arlene brought tamarillo or tree tomato for dessert. It was fabulous. Now my quest is to find it in the market. I know I have seen it but didn't know what it was. They stew it with sugar and cinnamon and put it over ice cream or curd. I prefer buffalo curd. Delicious.
Friday, 20 March 2015
March 20, 2015
We are into millipede season.
They are long, about 4" with very cute antenna. Their legs move like a wave. They are fully armoured on top and curl into a tight hard ball when under attack. Completely harmless. They don't even eat the leaves in the garden but do clean up the detritus in the beds. Not too bright though. One was on its way into the house the other day when I turned it around. The next thing I know I am closing the front door and there is a crunch. Poor millipede tried coming in from the hinged side of the door and got killed. Felt very bad.
Went to Bougainvillea Retreat for film club on Wednesday. This picture doesn't do it justice. The pool is an infinity pool overlooking a large lake so it looks like the pool goes directly into the lake.
Pi, the manager of Bougainvillea, has a number of pets including 3 cats. They are all huge being mostly Maine Coon. This is not Pi's cat, but it is identical to one of hers that greeted me upon arrival.
One of the others reminded me a lot of my Tazz. Not long haired but about the same size as Tazz who appeared bigger than he was because of the hair.
In addition to the lovely beasts, we had a wonderful lunch of fresh salad topped with seared tuna. The salad is a real rarity around here.
Went to Bougainvillea Retreat for film club on Wednesday. This picture doesn't do it justice. The pool is an infinity pool overlooking a large lake so it looks like the pool goes directly into the lake.
Pi, the manager of Bougainvillea, has a number of pets including 3 cats. They are all huge being mostly Maine Coon. This is not Pi's cat, but it is identical to one of hers that greeted me upon arrival.
One of the others reminded me a lot of my Tazz. Not long haired but about the same size as Tazz who appeared bigger than he was because of the hair.
Saturday, 14 March 2015
March 14, 2015
The Kawasakis gave a dharne (feeding monastics) yesterday to dispel the bad luck of Friday the 13th. There were 6 monks and 3 nuns and us. Thankfully, the chanting was relatively brief. The big highlight was that there was a monk from Bhutan. I have never met a Bhutanese before. He was lovely and very tall. The really big treat was that he did a bit of chanting in Bhutanese. I have never heard it spoken. It sounds a little like some Chinese dialect, but very different at the same time.
Had a very interesting discussion with Weston, an American here doing his masters in Buddhist studies. We started with my saying how uncomfortable I am around most monks and how the ritual and trappings seem to have buried the belief and how misogynistic Buddhism has become. We ended up by trying to identify if human beings have a natural moral compass or if the compass is established by the society we live in. The old nature or nurture argument but as applied to metaphysics. Nice to be able to exercise my mental muscles for a change.
Had a very interesting discussion with Weston, an American here doing his masters in Buddhist studies. We started with my saying how uncomfortable I am around most monks and how the ritual and trappings seem to have buried the belief and how misogynistic Buddhism has become. We ended up by trying to identify if human beings have a natural moral compass or if the compass is established by the society we live in. The old nature or nurture argument but as applied to metaphysics. Nice to be able to exercise my mental muscles for a change.
Thursday, 12 March 2015
March 12, 2015
Finally joined the Citadel Hotel as a club member. Great advantages all for about C$100/year. Here is my own private pool. I was the only one swimming on Monday. Had a great day. Swam 250 m. Have to build up some. Walked about 4 km. Had a nice visit with Kawasakis and just generally enjoyed Sri Lankan life.
In the evening Sonali and Lalindra called to go for Thai food which we did. Great meal as usual with a great price. Complementary soup and dessert from the General Manager as usual as well. It's all about who you know.
Off to do some art at Deanne's today. Not really into art, but it is a good group and we will have lunch together so it is a good outing. I am taking a picture of the patched door to my maid's room to figure out some Warli art to do on it. Another fun day in paradise.
In the evening Sonali and Lalindra called to go for Thai food which we did. Great meal as usual with a great price. Complementary soup and dessert from the General Manager as usual as well. It's all about who you know.
Off to do some art at Deanne's today. Not really into art, but it is a good group and we will have lunch together so it is a good outing. I am taking a picture of the patched door to my maid's room to figure out some Warli art to do on it. Another fun day in paradise.
Sunday, 8 March 2015
March 8, 2015
Quite some time since I wrote. Lots of things happening, but the really big news is that my good friend Monica Power is coming to visit me. Apart from the joy of seeing her, I have given her a long shopping list: nuts, dental floss, sports bras, vermouth, kalamata olives. She does not leave until the end of March, so I may be able to think up some other things before she departs. A friend of Mike's recently came from the States and brought me a Kindle, an electric toothbrush and replacement heads for my water pik. Unfortunately, the replacement nozzles don't work on my water pik, but the electric toothbrush is a godsend. It is amazing what you can get excited about out here.
I continue to meet with education officials, this time in the Central Province, trying to get English language training for teachers in plantation schools going. These schools have badly neglected and have suffered more than most over the years. This programme would get some competent English language training into those schools which the kids need desperately need if they want to work in more responsible jobs on the plantations, go on to higher education, or find a job off the plantation. Plus, it will hopefully get me a visa. A little enlightened self interest never hurt.
On Friday last, we suffered a monkey attack. I was out, but when I got home, my veranda was a battlefield. They had smashed or thrown everything they could get their hands on and peed and pooped as well. Apparently, Veenitha had saved the lady in the annex and her baby who were being surrounded by the monkeys until Veenitha threw a stone at them. They dispersed long enough for everyone to get inside. It took me two hours to clean up the mess they made. Now, my landlords are prepared to have a grill put up around the veranda to keep them out. They are not only destructive but can be dangerous as well.
Speaking of monkeys, the other day I went to the Assistant High Commission of India to meet with the Assistant High Commissioner about the English language training programme. While I was waiting for Sam to pick me up, I was chatting with guards at the gatehouse when a monkey came up behind me and just about touched me. Turns out there was a whole gang of them. They were walking from the roof of the High Commission across some wires, down the pole supporting the roof of the guardhouse and across to the neighbouring roofs. Luckily they were not aggressive.
Patches continues to ingratiate herself. Only problem is she must have seen a snake in the back hall a few days ago. She gave out a real yowl rather than a meow and now she keeps attacking Stanley Snake (my snake puppet) thinking she is protecting the house. Of course, she has insinuated herself into my bed and slept with me last night. This morning she was hesitant to go out the door until I preceded her, she kept looking around corners before she would advance and then she ran directly to Stanley and was about to pounce on him when I picked her up.
The garden is also coming along. The stick that Tulla put into a pot under my brick oven frame has bloomed into a beautiful vine. Should be lovely when it has filled in the whole frame.
Went to my friend Judith Smith's for lunch the other day. She recently lost her husband to cancer and is still getting adjusted. She is doing very well considering. Her place is magnificent. Very open and light. The really good part, however, is that she gave me a Krups espresso machine. It is a really professional unit, has never been used and makes very good coffee. I am enjoying it tremendously. Thank you Judith.
I continue to meet with education officials, this time in the Central Province, trying to get English language training for teachers in plantation schools going. These schools have badly neglected and have suffered more than most over the years. This programme would get some competent English language training into those schools which the kids need desperately need if they want to work in more responsible jobs on the plantations, go on to higher education, or find a job off the plantation. Plus, it will hopefully get me a visa. A little enlightened self interest never hurt.
On Friday last, we suffered a monkey attack. I was out, but when I got home, my veranda was a battlefield. They had smashed or thrown everything they could get their hands on and peed and pooped as well. Apparently, Veenitha had saved the lady in the annex and her baby who were being surrounded by the monkeys until Veenitha threw a stone at them. They dispersed long enough for everyone to get inside. It took me two hours to clean up the mess they made. Now, my landlords are prepared to have a grill put up around the veranda to keep them out. They are not only destructive but can be dangerous as well.
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| These are the things that were sitting in the folded palms of my Buddha. The Kawasakis gave them to me for my birthday. The shell and the fish, which the monkeys tossed into the jungle were for long life, the coin is from Japan for wealth, the elephant represents my new home of Sri Lanka, and the pearl I added because I thought it was beautiful. Hopefully, I will find the jade items in the garden when the gardener comes to clean up. |
Speaking of monkeys, the other day I went to the Assistant High Commission of India to meet with the Assistant High Commissioner about the English language training programme. While I was waiting for Sam to pick me up, I was chatting with guards at the gatehouse when a monkey came up behind me and just about touched me. Turns out there was a whole gang of them. They were walking from the roof of the High Commission across some wires, down the pole supporting the roof of the guardhouse and across to the neighbouring roofs. Luckily they were not aggressive.
Patches continues to ingratiate herself. Only problem is she must have seen a snake in the back hall a few days ago. She gave out a real yowl rather than a meow and now she keeps attacking Stanley Snake (my snake puppet) thinking she is protecting the house. Of course, she has insinuated herself into my bed and slept with me last night. This morning she was hesitant to go out the door until I preceded her, she kept looking around corners before she would advance and then she ran directly to Stanley and was about to pounce on him when I picked her up.
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| Beside me at the breakfast table |
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| On the cushions at the breakfast table after I get up. Won't be able to do that until the monkey grate goes up. The monkeys threw all the cushions around like they were playing catch with them. They were all filthy. |
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| Finally made it into the big bed. |
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| Pretty happy about it too. |
Went to my friend Judith Smith's for lunch the other day. She recently lost her husband to cancer and is still getting adjusted. She is doing very well considering. Her place is magnificent. Very open and light. The really good part, however, is that she gave me a Krups espresso machine. It is a really professional unit, has never been used and makes very good coffee. I am enjoying it tremendously. Thank you Judith.
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