Keep Track of Julia: January 2018

Almost one month to the day since my last post. Christmas and New Year have both come and gone.

Christmas was officially kicked off on December 17 with our combined Book and Film Club luncheon. Held at Hotel Ozo in Kandy where we also have the club meetings, we allow men to attend this event. The outgoing General Manager of Ozo very generously donated 3 door prizes which were presented by Judith, myself and the incoming General Manager. A good time was had by all.

Sally Martin receiving her prize.

No prizes here. Douglas King is just getting himself a cup of coffee.

This time it was Vivien Wright who was the lucky winner.

On the heels of this, it was time for my annual tree trimming party. Only about 15 of us, but a nice time again. I had to finish trimming the tree after everyone was gone as there were not enough guests to do the full job. Not even Veenitha's granddaughter, who stayed for the night, could fill the gap. She is lovely, but like most village Sri Lankans painfully shy, especially with us white English speakers.

The tree trimming party almost didn't make it as I had some concrete shelving put into my kitchen the week before Christmas. They told me it would take Saturday and Sunday to do the work. They just barely finished on the Friday before Christmas. I was frantic. Noel (the worker) came back yesterday to do the sanding and the first of the polishing. Never trust a tradesman's estimate.

In the true spirit of Christmas parties, these two young people were stray travelers who were staying at Helga's Folly. They were invited by another stray from Latvia who came with my friend Ella.

Mike and Brenda Sedgwick talking to Portia (I think that is her name)

Dressed in Christmas colours.

All gathered on the veranda. The woman with her back to the camera is Ingrid, the Latvian. Before coming to Sri Lanka, I had never met any Latvians. Now I know two.

Viv and Malcolm Wright with Ava Billings. A rare appearance for Ava and lovely to see them talking and laughing after a protracted feud.

Ella, who brought Ingrid. She is lovely. From Switzerland, married to a Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, she is moving back to Switzerland in March.

Finally, you get to see Ingrid. She is traveling the world. She says she is going back to Sicily after Sri Lanka. Quite the adventurer.

Viv and Malcolm with Kithmee, one of my teachers. I am losing her this year. Such a shame.

Ran and Achala. Achala is another teacher who is thankfully staying.

Ran and me.

New Year was quiet right up until the bombs started going off. Sri Lankans love any opportunity to set off firecrackers, most of quick sound like an artillery bombardment.

The full moon on January 1. This was a very auspicious day for the Sinhalese. Full moon (poya day), first day of the year, first day of the month, first day of the week.

The round of parties ended with a lovely dinner at my friends Ravana and Ayesha's place. They live in Hantanne, a tea growing area where there is still quite a bit of tea and a lot of new up-market housing. Their house is incredible. I just wish I could have been there in the daylight to see the view.

The dinner spread. Pretty incredible.

I have had to delay the opening of the school because of low registration. We put out an appeal to the parents so it looks like we will be able to open in February with 3 classes for a 5 month term. I am really thinking of closing it down after this year. We will see how it goes. On the adult side, I now have 2 classes/week all with different divisions of the Ceylon Electricity Board. That is rather fun and a good money earner.

Off today to a book launch party at Jungle Tide, Sally and Jerry Martin's guest house in Hantanne. I was hoping for some swimming, but it is raining here and will undoubtedly be cooler and wetter where they are.

I have lost one pet to more accessible places. Tsweetie is now a handicapped dog with only three good legs. Consequently, she finds it difficult to get down to my place. She is hanging out at houses down the road that are at road level. Her place has been taken up by Baby. I think he is a boy. Veenitha thinks she is a girl. I fear that Veenitha is right in that she has a very big belly and her teets are swollen. Not a good sign. On the other hand, Aya is a boy and he looks pregnant too.