Here I am again!

At the same free internet station as I found myself at when I first stepped foot in Sri Lanka. It's midnight and my plane leaves at 01.45 so I have a couple of hours .
Today, well in the usual Sri Lankan style, what had been arranged as first aid training for 12 to 15 girl guides evolved into a lecture addressing ( I am sure I have spelt that wrong but I have no spell check on this ...sorry) many more children. We arrived early at the girls school in Colombo. The school is considered one of the best in the area and is much sought after. They run various after school activities, as we do at our better schools, one of which is Guides. The training had been arranged with the relevant staff and on arrival we were directed towards the lecture hall. The teacher explained that as there were approx 200 children expected to attend she felt it better that we were located in a suitable auditorium! Well I nearly fell through the floor! We then found ourselves discussing the use of a microphone, me, who had reluctantly agreed to speak to small groups, now found myself in this situation! Anyhow we managed to adjust the venue to the room opposite, far more suitable (for me) and of we went teaching some one hundred or so girls what to do in the event of an emergency. My lecture was interupted on a regular basis as the school band were, of course, also meeting this afternoon. This initially did not present too much of a problem as they were situated in a room about 100M away, however as always here something happens to change things and they decided to take their very loud band, carrying many large drums, for a street parade around the school premises particularly concentrating on the area in which we were located! Really one can only laugh....its great fun here and I am beginning to understand why they have actually achieved pretty well nothing in the last 60 years since we left! It all went very well and they all left knowing more than they had previously. I have asked my groups to let me know when they apply some of the knowledge, it would be great to have a feed back.

So here I am and only a little while before I leave. My trip here has been great, I have witnessed the most awful driving in the world, some of the most dirty toilets in the world, the most spicy food in the world, not to mention the cows grazing in the middle of the roads. I have also, and more importantly, been the recipitant of the greatest hospitality (thank you so much Anne and Ammal) and the BIGGEST smiles in the world, smiles from children who have so little.

Speak soon
xx