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Published: October 13th 2008
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Tuk Tuk
what an idylic place Well here I am, after many months of planning this trip of a lifetime, making sacrifices, leaving my job, my daughter, family and friends I finally left all that I knew and loved on Sunday 31st August 2008 to embark on "journey". My friends Nickie, Rosie, Heidi, Sharon and Caroline took me to Heathrow. My mum and dad wanted to come to the airport but I wouldnt let them, it would have been too hard for me seeing them walk away and then have that long drive home!! Saying goodbye to these people made me realise that I really was leaving, I stood there shaking saying goodbye to them, it was the strangest feeling i've ever had - going off to the "unknown". As I disappeared through customs turning each corner there they were all waving, tears rolling down my cheeks, until I couldnt see them anymore, just me now! I just wondered around aimlessly waiting to board my flight. I boarded BA at midday got myself comfy and gathered my thoughts. I dont really know how to explain my feelings, excitment, fear, sadness........I had a few gin and tonics to relax, the staff were fantastic and made my flight nice
and easy. I landed in Mumbai at midnight, my passport was immediately taken from me, I was left in a hot sticky room with loads of people not knowing who this person was, where my passport was I was just sitting there in a strange country feeling oh my god what am I doing? eventually after 2 hours had passed with nothing to eat or drink somebody came up and ushered me through customs, they searched me thoroughly taking my bottle of rum I'd bought at Heathrow and everything in my pockets were taken out including a letter from Jake - never to be seen again!! I was really upset nobody seemed to understand english or more to the point "wanted to understand". I had 20 minutes to find my gate. I boarded Air Lanka at 3.15 in the morning. The flight went really quick and there I was coming through the airport in Colombo - even though it was only 5.45am I could feel the heat and humidity. There it was my name on a board. I was met by someone from LSR. I was driven to my hotel, Pearl City, on the outskirts of Colombo. My first impressions
Orphanage
grinding the coconuts for dinner!! were "oh my god what am I doing here". It was a very poor area, beggars lying on the pavements with either one leg, or children screaming, the smell was quite overpowering. I was shown to my room, which was basic to say the least, but one thing in its favour it had airconditioning. I dumped my bags and made my way down to the foyer where I met Gill and Denise, then I met Sandra and Katie who had just arrived the same day as me. We stayed the night there then headed to our home stay in Pollonaruwa leaving the hotel at 6 in the morning arriving at lunchtime. The journey was quite interesting, just sitting in the mini bus watching the world go by, so many interesting sights. We were welcomed by Ranjit, Geethani, Myomi and Kaveen, my new family. I was taken along to the orphanage in the afternoon just to see what it was like. There were about 40 children all came running the jeep shouting and instantly holding my hand, they looked so happy yet so sad, their clothes were filthy and the nits were jumping around in their hair!!! Sandra only lasted about
5 minutes and after having her pockets felt for chewing gum or anything else that she might have hidden!!
I love it here, the family I am staying with are just fantastic, they are my new mum and dad for the time being, we get on famously, but there are times when I just lie on my bed and think "where am I, who am I" I'm finding it hard to understand what I'm doing here, I dont feel like "Jo" anymore, I was a housewife, mother and carer working to keep my bills paid now - I'm a volunteer in a foreign country. I am adapting to the way of life here and feel very comfortable. The heat dosnt bother me anymore, I get fed up of the food sometimes, one can only eat so many curries!!! but most of all its my family and friends I miss so much. Over the last 18 months, since losing Brian, they have been my rock. I cant just pick up the phone when I feel low, its either the wrong time of day or night or just no credit on my phone!!! I cant afford to keep calling. I know that
I am in their thoughts as they are in mine though. I am going to end this blog for now but will contine next week. Thank you to all those that read it.
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