December 12, 2017

Trying to keep up with this so I don't forget what has been going on.

My landlady, Tula planted a cultivated Bird of Paradise plant some time ago in the garden in front of my kitchen window.  I thought it was dead, but lo and behold, it bloomed on the very day that her husband died.  Strange!

Here she is.  The wild ones are shaped the same but are all orange.

Trinity College held their annual carol service in Sunday night.  I had no idea this even went on, but now that I am friendly with the principal and his wife, I got an official invite.  It was lovely.  Mind you, there was a bit too much praying and Bible reading, but the choir was great and the sing alongs also.  A couple of the boys whose voices have not broken yet had such clear singing voices.  Just as you would imagine seraphim to sound.  They also had an Old Chorister singing with them who had a very rich baritone voice.  I imagined him sounding like and archangel.  All in all a wonderful experience that I will repeat next year.  The added bonus was that the chapel was packed.  Something very rare in Kandy.  Although, between the funeral and the carol service, I have had enough of religious mumbo jumbo for a while now.

The choir.  The round thing on the right is a Saisethe, a symbol of the Kandyan kings.  Glad to see a bit of Sri Lanka seeping into this High Anglican place.

Side mural

Other side mural

The chapel is open sided in the tradition of ancient Buddhist temples.  The line of flame is hundreds of tiny oil pots.  Lots of candles inside as well.  A beautiful setting.

As usual, finishing with my Boyos.

Brotherly love