ONLY IN SRI LANKA… would a BMW be sitting on planks of wood that are resting on metal framing.
Frank and I tried to go to Mount Lavinia Hotel’s Beach… because we are so close to one. Anyway we wen to the beach (the first picture) and the waves were so intense it could have swept us away! HAHA it was actually funny because when we walked down there this huge wave crashed in beach and water almost hit the bar 50 ft away… so we wen to the pool. So the rest of the pictures were taken from the pool deck.
Being a Minority
I am not really sure the politically correct way of going about this but… I don’t really care I am just going to tell you how I feel.
So since we have been here, we have had to adjust to being the minority. There is something to be said for wanting to “fit in” and being like everyone else because every time I see a “white” person I (1) feel like I know them or (2) have this urge to go over and say hi. Which is a very weird feeling, especially since these “white” people I see are either European or Australian NOT American. It feels weird to me to use the color of my skin to feel connected or likeness to someone. Since I was little, I have been told that it doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, BUT here that is the only way to tell if someone might be like me.
I feel like this same “minority” situation would arise if you went to a costume party and you did dress up but neither 3 other people . Naturally you would gravitate towards each other because you have something in common. It would be the one thing that you could identify that was the same about yourselves.
Think that this feeling is brought on even stronger because everyone stares at Frank and I because we are white. Some times the stares are a bit obnoxious. So when you a see a white person it’s comforting because they aren’t staring at you… I guess.
This is a weird blog and very hard to explain but I wanted to share this strange feeling. Sorry I don’t mean to offend anyone. It’s just weird being the minority.
LAUNDRY
Frank and I been very fortunate to have a washing machine but in Sri Lanka they do not have dryers. So to dry our clothes we lay them out all over the dining table and chairs. It is quite the comical site. I apologize in advance for the quality of the pictures but I think you get the idea.
PS They do have drying racks but we never invested in one.. this seems to be a cheaper option.
Me: Why?
Shehan: Because you were standing the wrong way on the bus.
Me: …
-Shehan and I
After taking our one and only bus ride. Apparently you are suppose to face the windows of the bus instead of facing forward. Oh well…
This picture is of a tuk-tuk aka a three wheeler. This vehicle is Frank and I’s mode of transportation. I would just like to say that 85% of the time, while riding in one of these, I see my life flash before my eyes. Our designated tuk driver thinks it’s funny to almost hit people standing on the side the road and play chicken with his other tuk driver friends. We have had a few close calls and our drivers response is laughter.
Now you might say… why haven’t you got a new driver?
Two reasons
- Even when he couldn’t make it one morning, he sent someone else for us who already knew where to go and the price we pay our driver.
- His price is really low and he always gets us to work on time even when Frank and I are running late! (He is very loyal and I appreciate that)
I will soon get his picture and post it along with a video of a ride!
Anything but RICE!
Hello Everyone!
I would like to let you know that I have had enough rice to last me a lifetime….
The following list is foods that I cannot wait to eat…
- A crispy garden salad with a huge glob of Ranch, croutons and possibly chicken.
- TUNA!! I want it on Saltine crackers and bread
- A fresh sandwich with sliced turkey from the deli and lettuce and tomatoes.
- A hamburger!!! with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mayo.
- Then after the regular hamburger, I want a bacon burger.
- Texas Watermelon! They better still be good when i get back or i will probably cry!
- I want a Veggie tray with ranch.
- Cookie Dough
- A bagel with LOTS of cream cheese.
I miss American Grocery Stores!
Well my tummy is rumbling now… great.
Question:
Do you actually go to any classes to "study abroad" as you do here? Actual university? What are you and Frank studying? Tell about your daily routine.
Asked by Anonymous
Answer:
During the study abroad we don’t have any set classes. We are given assignments which is the blog. We have to write about our experiences and when we got to Sri Lanka our blogs were given to the Sri Lankan tourist board. Now that everyone from the trip has gone home… Frank and I go to work from 9-5 every day of the week at Grant McCann Erickson.
What to do?
To say that the first week of living in Sri Lanka has been “rough” would be an understatement! While you read this, I want you to know that I informing you of my trials and tribulations for you to see how easy it is we have it in the US and for me to reflect back on what frank and I have gone through and be proud that we are sticking it out… Now the follow incidents did result in many tears but life lesson tears! haha.
The issues started about 3 days into the study abroad trip when I got an email informing me that the apartment that Frank and I reserved back in April would no longer be available for us to rent. For anyone that I talked to before I left… this was my worst nightmare coming true! BUT I didn’t panic because I figured that being in Sri Lanka might be easier to find a place… This was not the fact. Long story short, Sriyani (my professor), Tom (other professor/her husband), Frank, and I looked at one place. Just know that the place was not safe enough… Sryiani then offered her flat that she just bought. The place was a dream come true. 24 hr security guard, clean, close to work, and the deal was with Sryiani, someone I knew!
After our speedy move-in, Frank noticed a small rash on his arm. It was nothing too big and we didn’t think too much of it; we were really too excited that we found such a great secure place. So literally minutes after setting down our bags we wanted to shower. There are two bathrooms in the apt which is nice. So we both went to take shower but not just any shower cold ones! There was not hot water and there wouldn’t be for 5 days! Apparently we had to turn on the switch to the water heater… who knew?
Back to Frank’s rash. By the next day it had spread… ALL over! It was incredibly itchy and was waking him up at night. We got anti-itch cream and went through 2 bottles in 2 days! It was AWFUL! Sryiani talked to her nurse friend and advised us to get a fungus cream! It worked within a few days! thank goodness… then came the washer…
Upon our move-in, we knew that Sryiani still needed to get a washer for the place. Not a big deal. What was a few more days of dirty clothes… So sunday afternoon the washer was installed… with a plug that didn’t match the socket… i ran to the store got an adapter, detergent and ran back home to get it started. Sri Lanka doesnt have dryers, so we needed to air dry everything! (Did i mention it’s sunday and we have work on Monday! with no clean clothes!) So i get home and the thing wont start! (life lesson tears were flowing) Finally after messing with the outlets and adapters for about a hour, we got it going but then i had no water getting to the clothes… luckily this was an easy fix…. the installers didn’t open the water valve! Our dining room and living room were quite the site… clothes laid out everywhere with fans on full blast! Project Clean Clothes was completed!
Now you may ask, why wouldn’t you just call and ask for help with all these problems… and I would say… we were having problems with phones too… DUH!
After the first few hours of being in the apt, we found out that there was a problem with the phone line. We could hear everyone loud and clear but we sounded muffed to them and they couldn’t hear us! We were planning on getting a cell phone anyway but we need the landline to know HOW to get a cell phone. We had a general idea but we were given a lot of information the first few hours of moving in and were still unsure the exact logistics. So Frank and I ventured out and went to Majestic City (the closest mall). We found a phone… easy. Activating it… not so much. The man in the store told us to take it down to B1 (aka the basement/food court) and someone would help us… well I’m not sure what you would have done, when you got down to a food court with a phone expecting to get it activated and see no store in sight. Personally, I had some more life lesson tears! We went back up to the store and asked if they could show us… the shop we needed to go to was in the basement BUT you had to walk outside to a separate hut… I guess we were supposed to know that … DUH!
On top of everything else, we were trying to get the internet to work… we bought a router and plugged it in BUT no internet. This took about week to FINALLY get started. This particular issue had its own fair share of life lesson tears! The internet not only brings entertainment but free phone calls to home! Last Wednesday Project Internet was a go! Thank goodness!
Now at this point we thought we were home free to start getting into a routine… we thought wrong.
Thursday frank woke up with a stomach ache… and by 3 it was so bad that he needed to leave work… so we went home only to for it to get worse. He felt nauseous and was in need of imodium… if you know what I mean. The only thing we could conclude was that he drank some water. Either way he was in pain… he couldnt sleep or sit up because it hurt and Drinking water was also difficult. We both had some life lesson tears… it got bad. We debated taking him to the hospital… Luckily the Imodium kicked in and he was finally able to get some sleep.
The past two days have gone off without issue and we are hoping it will stay this way. The issues we’ve had are just something that we have learned from… I am in no way complaining… I just want you to know that living in a developing country is different.
I would like to end this by saying thank you to my parents and grandparents for their support… without them I would have been home already and missing out on a great experience here in beautiful Sri Lanka.
LOVE THEM!!!!
