Goodbye GC...
It's 1:00 pm in Galle and it's been my first unscheduled day in over three weeks. For those that know me that's saying a lot. I don't like schedules! Jesper and I left Global Crossroad and the new crew at Janaka House last night after our last day of work.
We spent 3 full days showing them what our group had learned and just wanted to try and get them off on the right foot. It was sad for us to say goodbye to Asanta, Santa, Bandula, Paul, Michael and the rest of the local workers. When I confirmed to them it was our last day, the looks in their faces nearly broke my heart. "Oh! Why? Why? Big Problem?" Santa asked.
I explained it was time for us to go and we had accomplished what we set out to do and we wanted to try and help with other forms of relief effort further east. It was sad to see those smiles one last time but we all shared quick and intense hugs and handshakes. I told them I'd be back in a few days as I wanted to give them something for being so genuine with us and working so hard with us. Jesper and I definitely agreed the locals had picked up their work pace as our groups own pace did throughout the project. I guess they wanted to see how dedicated we were to them before dedicating themselves to us. It was a form of respect they showed us by being there every minute, solving any issue we had, picking up slack where need be and working with us side by side to the very end. It was the ultimate form of team work and show of respect I've ever been a part of.
We came back to Janaka House after work on Tuesday, showered up, had a few Ole's (cream soda), went into Galle for email checks, came back for dinner and then grabbed a tuktuk to the Tuc Tuc Beach Resort a few kms east of Janaka. Don't ask me about the "Tuc Tuc" spelling. That's the only place I've seen a C used instead of K but the owners are Italian. Whatever that means. On paper, the owners are the local Sinhalese hotel operators because only Sinhalese are allowed to own businesses here. So, every operator says he is part owner but I'm sure you get the picture.
We were given the perfect tuktuk ride to the hotel and we were greeted with hugs and smiles by the staff and all their friends in the courtyard bar of the beach resort. This is also the same place where Jesper and his BC buddy Corey stayed their first week in SL before April 1. This is also the same place, and room, where they were awakened in the middle of the night to Manoche, the local owner, pounding on their door yelling, "Tsunami coming! Run! Hurry!" This is of course the 2nd Sumatra quake which occurred while I was asleep in the San Francisco Hyatt.
Jesper and Corey ran about 1 km inland before most stopped to climb a very small shrine saying it would protect them. Jesper and Corey didn't agree and continued on through the jungle several more km's until they came upon a house on a more elevated area. A family invited them in with complete acceptance and hospitality despite a lack of everything we hold dear. They told him to come back whenever he needed to. My running shoes positioned at our hotel door serve as a reminder. I hope they stay in place as my Tri-pack fortunately has.
I'm pretty sure we're the only westerners staying here if not the only guests at all. It's a 6 month old hotel with is pretty nice. Teak floors, 50 meters from the beach, 2nd floor balcony with lounge chairs just outside room #4. There's also a flat roof on top just like at Tiny. Pre-tsunami prices were 5,500 Rs a night, but now it's just 1,500 for a double. That's about $15 for two beds, hot water and gorgeous views. We are definitely in the right place.
After consulting the first decent mirror with lighting I've seen in a while I've concluded that I've lost a lot of weight! Jesper agreed, which surprised me. All my shorts and pants would fall off me without a belt. I didn't think I had that much to lose, but it does come off here! I don't have a scale but I wouldn't be surprised if I haven't dropped 15 lbs. I eat everything I can within reason but the work and heat is so strenuous that you just sweat everything out. It should be a great kick-start into a summer workout routine.
I have heard from and of a few of our friends returning home. Zach, Lottie, and Ruth have all thankfully arrived safely. Zach is in India for another 8 months before returning home to NM. He says it is difficult adjusting to life there! I can't imagine if Sri Lanka doesn't prepare you what would. A few have mentioned how difficult it can be trying to relate to those around you at home. Jobs seem trivial and full of emptiness while longing for something simpler and perhaps more real and concrete. I'm sure we'll all adjust to our lives eventually the same way we adjusted here, but certainly with a lasting and different perspective.
Today we are trying to find a good local map so we can scout out the villages to the east soon and to let our bodies heal a little. Tomorrow I will finally be taking all the donated supplies I've brought to a camp and school. It's weird that I still have all these items but I honestly haven't had the time. If we aren't working we are in a van going to Yala or Kandy which is also non-stop schedules. The only way to have donated items at this point was to take a work day off from the site or to use your one day off for that.
So, tomorrow I will be meeting Ken and Carolyn at Janaka around 9:30 so they can take me to a few good places which can use my families donated items. Ken and Carolyn also have been asked by the BBC to take along a video camera to film their trip. Nobody really knew this until about a week into our project when they asked if I could figure out their camera. I said they came to the right guy. I'm sure they've captured a lot of great video by now and hope I can see it someday. The piece is going to be just them as they were interviewed before they left home and will also have a follow-up interview upon their return. It should be great as they are great people.
Today officially starts my road of independent relief work but I've been here for 3 weeks now and it doesn't seem nearly as daunting as just arriving in Sri Lanka did. It's amazing what one can become accustomed to, as well as enjoy. I've concentrated on going to bed and making sure all my work clothes were ready for the next day so much that that routine had become my life. I couldn't see past it really until recently. What now? What's next? I feel there are endless possibilities awaiting me now but even scarier is that they are probable.
I'm not sure what the next week will hold for us but I have absolutely no doubt we are in the right place.
Be good.
-Chris
We spent 3 full days showing them what our group had learned and just wanted to try and get them off on the right foot. It was sad for us to say goodbye to Asanta, Santa, Bandula, Paul, Michael and the rest of the local workers. When I confirmed to them it was our last day, the looks in their faces nearly broke my heart. "Oh! Why? Why? Big Problem?" Santa asked.
I explained it was time for us to go and we had accomplished what we set out to do and we wanted to try and help with other forms of relief effort further east. It was sad to see those smiles one last time but we all shared quick and intense hugs and handshakes. I told them I'd be back in a few days as I wanted to give them something for being so genuine with us and working so hard with us. Jesper and I definitely agreed the locals had picked up their work pace as our groups own pace did throughout the project. I guess they wanted to see how dedicated we were to them before dedicating themselves to us. It was a form of respect they showed us by being there every minute, solving any issue we had, picking up slack where need be and working with us side by side to the very end. It was the ultimate form of team work and show of respect I've ever been a part of.
We came back to Janaka House after work on Tuesday, showered up, had a few Ole's (cream soda), went into Galle for email checks, came back for dinner and then grabbed a tuktuk to the Tuc Tuc Beach Resort a few kms east of Janaka. Don't ask me about the "Tuc Tuc" spelling. That's the only place I've seen a C used instead of K but the owners are Italian. Whatever that means. On paper, the owners are the local Sinhalese hotel operators because only Sinhalese are allowed to own businesses here. So, every operator says he is part owner but I'm sure you get the picture.
We were given the perfect tuktuk ride to the hotel and we were greeted with hugs and smiles by the staff and all their friends in the courtyard bar of the beach resort. This is also the same place where Jesper and his BC buddy Corey stayed their first week in SL before April 1. This is also the same place, and room, where they were awakened in the middle of the night to Manoche, the local owner, pounding on their door yelling, "Tsunami coming! Run! Hurry!" This is of course the 2nd Sumatra quake which occurred while I was asleep in the San Francisco Hyatt.
Jesper and Corey ran about 1 km inland before most stopped to climb a very small shrine saying it would protect them. Jesper and Corey didn't agree and continued on through the jungle several more km's until they came upon a house on a more elevated area. A family invited them in with complete acceptance and hospitality despite a lack of everything we hold dear. They told him to come back whenever he needed to. My running shoes positioned at our hotel door serve as a reminder. I hope they stay in place as my Tri-pack fortunately has.
I'm pretty sure we're the only westerners staying here if not the only guests at all. It's a 6 month old hotel with is pretty nice. Teak floors, 50 meters from the beach, 2nd floor balcony with lounge chairs just outside room #4. There's also a flat roof on top just like at Tiny. Pre-tsunami prices were 5,500 Rs a night, but now it's just 1,500 for a double. That's about $15 for two beds, hot water and gorgeous views. We are definitely in the right place.
After consulting the first decent mirror with lighting I've seen in a while I've concluded that I've lost a lot of weight! Jesper agreed, which surprised me. All my shorts and pants would fall off me without a belt. I didn't think I had that much to lose, but it does come off here! I don't have a scale but I wouldn't be surprised if I haven't dropped 15 lbs. I eat everything I can within reason but the work and heat is so strenuous that you just sweat everything out. It should be a great kick-start into a summer workout routine.
I have heard from and of a few of our friends returning home. Zach, Lottie, and Ruth have all thankfully arrived safely. Zach is in India for another 8 months before returning home to NM. He says it is difficult adjusting to life there! I can't imagine if Sri Lanka doesn't prepare you what would. A few have mentioned how difficult it can be trying to relate to those around you at home. Jobs seem trivial and full of emptiness while longing for something simpler and perhaps more real and concrete. I'm sure we'll all adjust to our lives eventually the same way we adjusted here, but certainly with a lasting and different perspective.
Today we are trying to find a good local map so we can scout out the villages to the east soon and to let our bodies heal a little. Tomorrow I will finally be taking all the donated supplies I've brought to a camp and school. It's weird that I still have all these items but I honestly haven't had the time. If we aren't working we are in a van going to Yala or Kandy which is also non-stop schedules. The only way to have donated items at this point was to take a work day off from the site or to use your one day off for that.
So, tomorrow I will be meeting Ken and Carolyn at Janaka around 9:30 so they can take me to a few good places which can use my families donated items. Ken and Carolyn also have been asked by the BBC to take along a video camera to film their trip. Nobody really knew this until about a week into our project when they asked if I could figure out their camera. I said they came to the right guy. I'm sure they've captured a lot of great video by now and hope I can see it someday. The piece is going to be just them as they were interviewed before they left home and will also have a follow-up interview upon their return. It should be great as they are great people.
Today officially starts my road of independent relief work but I've been here for 3 weeks now and it doesn't seem nearly as daunting as just arriving in Sri Lanka did. It's amazing what one can become accustomed to, as well as enjoy. I've concentrated on going to bed and making sure all my work clothes were ready for the next day so much that that routine had become my life. I couldn't see past it really until recently. What now? What's next? I feel there are endless possibilities awaiting me now but even scarier is that they are probable.
I'm not sure what the next week will hold for us but I have absolutely no doubt we are in the right place.
Be good.
-Chris
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