All in a day's work

I often feel that the best part of my work is the visits to the field, working with colleagues and communities and really getting to understand the challenges. I have been fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the island, and am treated to some great sights on the road.

Like this line of brand new tri-shaws lined up at the roadside.
and this truck which someone (the coconut shell loader probably) has very carefully arranged with thousands of empty coconut shells

Lush green paddy, coconut and banana plants, in the "wet zone" of the island.
and wet weather in the "dry zone"
All manner of bird and wild life - and late in the afternoon in the East, we are treated to these commuting elephants, apparently on their way home

Not a bad way to balance a hard day's work!

Images

These images give a good sense of the events on Friday in Colombo. They are not mine (they're from the web) - I was sheltering inside, but had a good enough view of what was going on.

Safe and sound

Thanks for the many messages of concern - I finally got home around 2 am after a pretty scary night in Colombo - too many fireworks for my liking, just hope and pray for others................ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7902392.stm

Impressions of Nainital

As promised, here are some pictures from our December visit to Nainital in Uttarakhand, North Western India. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nainital

Picturesque Nainital sits at an altitude of nearly 2000 metres and this picture makes it look as if the Lake drains out from the other side of the valley. In fact, you can't easily see from Nainital that there is a neighbouring town at the other end of the Lake .

This is a fascinating hill station, clearly popular with Indian holiday makers, especially honeymoon couples. We saw many couples with their marriage finery, and even sweet, though possibly coincidentally matching sari and fleece sets!

The town is clearly geared up for holiday makers with activities and every kind of stall along the Lakeside - you can eat......

freshly prepared Chaat............

omelettes.........

..............fluorescent candy floss as just a few examples.

And you can go boating...........

.....shopping for woolly slippers to wear with flip flops (thongs)............

or watch the cricket.........

or even try .................................

.............SHOOTING!!!! Yes, this is not just a fun activity for young folks, granny can also have a shot (literally) though no prizes even if you burst the balloons set up as targets.

We thoroughly enjoyed our unusual day trip which ended with a pleasant drive back down through the hillside scenery

to Ramnagar to catch the overnight Ranikhet Express back to Delhi.

Nainital

From our trip to Nainital (North India) - we didn't apply for membership! More pictures to follow.

A New New Year

A very New and Happy Year! I think that my friend and colleague P's great smile conveys the best message for 2009!


I was somewhat surprised a few days ago when I learned that January 1st is not a public holiday in Sri Lanka. OK, as a Scot I was totally astounded. The first clue was an email inviting all staff based in Colombo for "Breakfast on Thursday, 1st Jan 2009 at 10.00 a.m. in order to usher in the new year". (Coming to the office on a holiday in itself was not totally new to me - in Nepal everyone comes into the office at Desain on one of the key puja days). However, I then discovered that not only are we invited for the New Year breakfast, but also that in Sri Lanka it is more than not a holiday - it is decidedly auspicious to come to work on 1st January. It augers well for the coming year. (In Scotland, unless you are in a profession where this is a working day, you would have at least 1 and 2 January as holidays for traditional first footing, and meeting friends, family and neighbours. You would actively avoid having to work on 1st January.)

I had two choices - take a day's leave in lieu of working 10 days solid (including Christmas Day) or coming into work and experiencing this rather different approach to New Year. Being a curious old git, there was not much choice, and when you factor in the free brekkie there really is only one path to follow.

So at midnight I was alone (solitary but not lonely) listening to the cacophony of fireworks in every direction, punctuated with church bells and doing a small puja, sipping (believe it or not) green tea. (I am determined to set the tone for the year - focused, healthy, spiritual, creative and comfortable with my own company while hubby J is also working).

This morning I looked out some nice bright clothes and set off for the office. There was a feast set out waiting for us in the library/resource area and colleagues milling around greeting each other.

After the traditional speech from our acting director, we were invited to tuck in to the traditional New Year food - milk rice, spicy pickles, sweet fried sweets and fruits.

What a wonderful start to the New Year - welcoming in a new era with colleagues in the sunshine with tasty food.

A very Happy and New New Year indeed!

Looking ahead and reflecting back

2008 has been an immensely tough year, yet an exciting year, a year of loss and near loss amidst gain and renewal, a year where I have pushed myself beyond my limits.

I am at the brink of 2009 with a host of promises and resolutions (aren't we all at this time, every year?!) However, this year sees a certain milestone birthday, which gives even more impetus to make certain changes.

So just to get us off on the right foot, here is a refreshed image of that feisty old blue gecko!

With warm wishes that 2009 will bring peace, happiness and accord.