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As so often happens just before a departure our work engagements increased, with people realising we are soon leaving cramming in last tasks. There was also a commensurate growth in social invitations as old(ish) friends tried to fit in goodbyes, and others whom we had yet to socialise with tried to squeeze in a visit before we left.
On Monday we met with Sandra (Owner of the school I teach at and the school Jake and Elliot attend as well as lawyer and owner of a fair trade weaving business). Sandra was buoyed by having been listed as one of the top 100 Fair Trade companies globally. She also took us to see the site where she is in the process of building a new school. The present site is overcrowded and poorly laid out. She has ambitious plans for an eco-school, and is working hard to bring them to fruition, a struggle since SL is not yet up with the technological advances that have been made recently. After our meeting we went shopping in her weaving store, stocking up on presents, for a shipment we are arranging to go home. When we were done shopping we were invited for
tea to her brother’s house, which was delightful, and stunningly beautiful. The boys were happy to flop and watch the pink panther with their children while we chatted and drank tea and ate banana cake.
On Tuesday the boys delivered their second assembly - to grade 5 and it went down a storm. The older children were more confident and joined in well, with lots of good questions (as well as the surprisingly popular “Can you sing a song?”). In the afternoon we swam before going out with Indica, the ‘man who can’ on the hospital committee who has helped us with our NGO efforts.
On Wednesday the boys delivered their assembly for the final time, this time to grade 4, and after school we were taken to Billy (the principal)’s house. She is a Leeds lass, who has been in Sri Lank for over 10 years. Her husband, Janeka, is a yoga teaching swimming coach who does most of the childcare and is in the process of completing a sports science diploma. They have 3 children Ushani, who splits the boys, Jayani who is 5 and 2 year old Ayanaka. We got on brilliantly with them, exploring
the jungle, circumnavigating the lake, and splashing in the well. The boys were really upset to leave but that was softened when we were taken by Harshi and Kamal to their club. The tennis club had no court but did have a swimming pool! Jake and Elliot played in the pool alone in the dark, only emerging for hoppers and mouthfuls of omelette. It was gone 10 by the time we got home.
On Thursday we met Billy, Janeka and their children at the Kandyan Reach Hotel pool. We had a ball, the boys playing especially with the elder girl Ushani, and all being tossed for somersaults by Janeka. They became our first high tea guests afterwards. They only left at 7 because we were due to have dinner with Bishop Andrew. The boys were sorry to see them leave.
Bishop Andrew had called in reinforcements and during the end of our chat with our previous guests, there had been a steady stream of Nuns and others, bearing pots. We walked in to a beautifully laid table and were served by two smiling nuns. They had made a sausage pasta dish and a salad of carrots, tomatoes and
cucumbers (all very Jake friendly) followed by jelly and ice cream. Not for the first time we parents were transported back to 70s childhoods. This was one of those experiences that you cannot believe is happening to you. I never imagined I would be served jelly and ice cream by pair of Nuns while sat at a table in a filthy house with a retired Bishop! Surreal.
After school on Friday we were invited back to school for the judging of the Poson (Buddhist festival) lanterns. Again in true holiday fashion the heavens opened and the torrential rain destroyed many of the delicately and carefully prepared lanterns. A smiling monk told us how it showed the impermanent of all things and groups of cheering and screaming teenagers ran around enthusiastically and incompetently serving soggy biscuits and sweet coffee in the rain.
On leaving we were taken by Sandra with the monk to his home temple. This was another rare privilege. He is the second most senior monk at the temple, and next in line. He showed us round and the contrast between this and the overcrowded temple of the sacred tooth was absolute. We were taken into private
chambers opened with 500 year old foot long iron keys, and shown the musty broad beamed painted quarters of the monks from long ago. His stories of the Buddha while not easy to follow were illuminating and despite signs saying “No Photographs” we were told we could shoot whatever we liked. After a brief audience with the number one monk, we were then led into another area and fed - washed down with tea to Jake’s delight. On the drive home we discussed the benefits of being part of a community rather than simply transient travellers. We are excited about the next leg - especially Granny Mary and Grandad coming out for Elliot’s birthday - but will miss this being someone special.
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