Buddhas Birthday Extravaganza

On Friday it was full moon which as I've mentioned is always a bank holiday in Sri Lanka. But this months was extra special as Buddha was born, enlightened and died this day. It's the biggest day of the year for Buddhists, so the towns are covered with lights and lanterns. 

All of the volunteers were up at 5:30am to go to our local temple and hand out food. Our host Janaka does so much for the local area, he pretty much built the library and surrounding buildings at the temple and was the person to provide the food for the local people. 

Whilst the service was going on, we all went to another room for a private service taken by another monk. I have no idea what was said, but afterwards I found myself strangely relaxed! 

Before serving the food, we had to place both hands over the dish to bless it. Then when serving we could only serve with the right hand, as Buddhists think of this as the clean hand, however the yoghurt was to be given one at a time with both hands. No idea of the logic here... 

We were then given some (strange) rice by a monk which symbolised Buddhas first meal. We had to eat it out of both hands (a bit like a dog). Again, no idea why. But that's rituals for you! After trying a little and wanting to vom, I swiftly handed it over to another volunteer to finish. Sorry Buddha. 

When we left, we had to get down on the floor and pray and touch the Buddhas feet. As I knelt I accidentally crushed Daisy's feet so was trying to contain my laughter throughout. I'm hoping the Monk just thought that I was extra happy to see him!

After the temple, we still had morning project, so I went to the orphanage. I now have an ultimate favourite baby who is the cutest and most well-behaved baby ever. 

If your heart doesn't melt then you don't have one. 

He's coming home with me (yes it is a boy, I'd like to apologise for dressing him in pink and confusing his innocent little mind). 

In the evening we went into Galle to see all of the lights and lanterns for Vesak. The town was buzzing with people and I don't think we came across a single other tourist. It's really interesting to be in a place that hasn't been ruined by tourism! 

Giant moving lantern

On the Saturday we went to a different beach called jungle beach which was so beautiful. There was also a temple by the beach which was so white that I felt like my eyes were burning! It had a great view at the top (look at me being all adult and appreciating views). 

The beach was a little busy as so many Sri Lankans had travelled to Galle for Vesak....and with them all fully clothed, I felt a little self-conscious striping down to a bikini! But when the beach is quiet as it usually is, I can't imagine it just being paradise! 

In the afternoon, the water started coming up so high that it covered the entire beach, so we moved on to our regular spot at Unawatuna. The waves are always massive in the sea so we decided to do a spot of body boarding. I'll tell you what, it was a lot harder than I thought! (And my bikini was definitely not the right attire, if you know what I mean...). It was really good fun anyway and we took loads of snaps with my underwater camera which will be flooding Facebook when I got the chance! 

Whilst we were cutting some shapes in the water with our body boards, our sik skills attracted some South African guys. We got chatted to them and it was really refreshing to speak to the first group of guys who weren't irritating weirdos. 

Having decided that they were normal, we had a few drinks with them and found out that most of them came across from Dubai where they work in the 7* hotel (perhaps that can be my next holiday... I can dream). 

Drinks by the sea

When we left to go home, unusually, it was almost impossible to find an available tuk tuk. After some confusion, three of us ended up on a bus whilst the other three got a tuk tuk. What a mistake that was. As we neared Galle, there was so much traffic due to Vesak, that we decided to abandon the bus and walk. I've never seen anything like it, the streets were flooded. Single lane roads were filled with six lanes of cars as everyone attempted to push further forward. 

We'd pass car after car and each was crammed with people. Motorbikes were carrying full families. It was crazy! 

Finally, after an hour of walking and finally finding a tuk tuk. We made it home 2 hours after leaving the beach (the journey is usually 15 mins). 

As tired as we were, it was actually so interesting to see! I've definitely learnt to be laid back and soak up every experience whilst being here. 

Ciao x

Catch up

I'm playing a bit of catchup as I haven't blogged in a few days, so this could be a long one! 

Last Thursday I went to the street kids project. It's located down an alley in Galle amongst a kind of shanty village that I never would have come across. That's one of the things I love about doing volunteering here, I get to see the real Sri Lanka and experience things that I never would have got the opportunity to had I simply travelled. 

The kids that come a long don't have a home and it's more than likely that their parents are drug addicts and their mums are prostitutes, sleeping with men for 100 rupees (50p). It's horrible but the harsh truth. So this project was set up to get the kids off the streets and to educate them and keep them clean and freshly dressed. 

From looking at the kids, you wouldn't have guessed that they didn't have a real home to go back to. They looked clean and tidy and most importantly happy. The regulars and the teachers have become almost like their own family which is really sweet to see. 

All the children were amazed by the front camera on my iPhone as you can see... One little boy had me sweating and praying for the life of my phone as he swung it round and frantically opened up application after application! 

 

Thankfully he was finally distracted before drama went down, by a name the fruit game...

After the street kids project, we popped in to see the nurses, as they had let us know that they would be hanging up their finished lanterns. All of the lanterns were really beautiful and so detailed! 

My favourite! 

Afterwards, Sophie and I headed to the beach as we didn't have an afternoon project. The bus we went on had a flat screen TV which played Sri Lankan music videos. I find it very odd that the country is choosing to spend their money on things like that! An essential? Not so sure. 

We later went to Galle Fort to meet up with the other volunteers for a leaving meal as a few of them were going home at the weekend after 3 months of being here. Whilst we waited for the others to arrive, we sat by the water watching the sunset. With it being so peaceful and beautiful, it's hard to imagine that years earlier, the Tsunami would have wiped me right from where I'm standing...  

Check out the matching outfits. They then went on to pass a biscuit to each other via their mouths. Too much? 

All of the volunteers at Pedlers Restaurant

It's a really lovely group of people and I really enjoyed my first week with them all. Several left at the weekend and more are leaving this coming weekend which is shame, but I'm sure there will be newbies to get to know! 

Another blog is coming right up 😊 

X

Beach Life

First things first, I saw a monkey run across the road in front of our tuk tuk today! Pretty cool (and surreal). There are also loads of random cows that roam the roads which is weird. As Beyonce would say...Who run the world? Cows. 

Moving on... there were a lot of volunteers at the orphanage today, especially as boys from a local school were visiting for the morning too. So for most of the time I stayed out of the way and individually took babies outside to get some air. 

This is one of the adorable little babs (not sure how old but can't yet stand on his own).

I also held one of the diddy babies today who had arms and legs no bigger than a mans thumb. I literally felt like I was going to break him he was so fragile. 

In the afternoon me and a few of the volunteers went to the nursing school to help the trainee nurses with their English. However, as it's a special full moon this Friday (they have a bank holiday every full moon (I know) but this month's is extra special... I need to find out why!) all of the students were making lanterns. 

The surroundings of the nursing school are really beautiful and as I wasn't much help on the lantern front and was melting from the heat in the classroom, I decided to explore...

We left pretty swiftly and headed to the beach as the students are our sort of age and were engrossed in their lantern building and quite the experts, so didn't need our help. 

Also as it's monsoon season, despite it being swelteringly hot and humid night and day, it's best to make the most of the sunshine! 

Walk down to the beach from the bus. Starpipels Coffee sign, look familiar?? 

Unawatuna Beach 

Our regular spot outside Lucky Tuna Hotel and Cafe (and mister pineapple man). 

On the way home, having got a bus to Galle, we decided to splash out and pay 50 rupees (25p) each to get a tuk tuk the rest of the way home. From the hundreds of tuk tuk drivers, we opted for one that looked like he may keel over on the journey and had a bottle of some kind of spirit beside him. The logical choice obviously. 

Worryingly, a bottle of spirit beside the driver is common! They all seem to know what they're doing though so hey, maybe we should learn from them... 

...or not. 

Chow X

I Want One

This morning I was allocated the nursery school project, which is in the same location as the community project that I did yesterday afternoon. 

There are three different classes (this time each had a teacher) and originally I was put in the same class (5 year olds) as another volunteer, Lisa. I spent my time sat at one of the miniature tables and chairs making bunny rabbit masks which the kids found highly intriguing. Regularly the kids from other tables would wonder over, but would quickly be slapped by the teacher and told to go back to their own table. 

The kids continuously called "teacher, teacher" at me and then babbled in Sinhalese to which I tended to nod and smile (I could have been saying yes to anything...) . 

After a little while I was whisked into the classroom with 3-4 year olds and I helped them to do colouring, colouring and more colouring. At least they'll leave school being brilliant at colouring within the lines if nothing else! 

My main job was really keeper of the peace. There was always someone pinching another child or pulling their hair. Although surprisingly when I told them to stop they would actually stop, so it wasn't too much of a problem... Wouldn't have got away with it at Springdale mind you! 

Lunch time was interesting, not a sandwich in sight!! Instead the majority ate curry, rice and noodles and mostly with their hands. There were also a number of kids who insisted on stealing other people's food. They would literally just wander up to other children and start eating their food, as if they'd never been fed! 

In the afternoon I was back at the orphanage and arrived to see all of the toddlers and older babies out in the garden running around in the fresh air which was really nice to see! 

Before joining them outside, it was time for nappy duty. I walked in to immediately see my favourite (shush) baby so picked him up and whisked him over to the baby change table. What a mistake.... 

I had to deal with my first pooey baby! UGHH. I managed to get through it without throwing up, then moved on to the next baby. ERROR. Another pooey baby! Well, luck wasn't really on my side was it! 

After getting over the trauma and feeling like I'd now well and truly entered woman hood, I was able to move on to the fun stuff. It was so sad to see all of the smaller babies (including new borns who were amazingly tiny and looked like they might break if I touched them) stuck in their cots in a stinky dark room. So I took a few babies outside to get some air. 

In the end I felt so bad for them that I tackled two at a time (twins? Bring it!). Of course one of them was who I deemed to be my favourite. He just longed to be cuddled and would cling his arms and legs around me for dear life. I ended up giving him dinner and it was the easiest job as he seemed so desperate for the food! On my two trips there I haven't seen any babies given water which concerns me a little! Although (apart from the raspy coughs that many of them have) they all seem in pretty good health. 

All in all, it's day two and I'm already getting attached. I want one!! (Family members don't panic, I won't actually be coming home with a surprise Sri Lankan baby) 

Bye x

A Different World

Today was my first day volunteering so I was up bright and early at 7:20 ready to have breakfast before I set off. 

Janaka, our host, creates a rota for volunteer projects as there are several that we can get involved in. This morning I was allocated the orphanage along with two other volunteers, Lisa (from Holland) and Daisy (from London). 

Now I was warned about the smell before I arrived, but wow...Nothing can prepare you for the stench of stale wee. But there was no time to even be disgusted, immediately we were told to grab one of the small babies from the pen (aged about 6-12 months at a guess!) and change there nappy (followed by the slightly older babies who were one or two). Well, I have never even changed a nappy before so this was going to be interesting! 

I walked up to the baby pen to see about 8 babies all looking longingly up at me with their arms out reached. I picked up one of the babies who was extremely cute and rushed him over to the changing table. After a few times doing this, (take the wet cotton nappy off (I dread to think how long they'd been in it), whisk them to the sink to rinse them off, then pop on a clean pampers and shorts.

  

I found myself getting into the swing of it...until we ran out of pampers.... (We are the only people that supply nappies for the orphanage, 30 in the morning and 30 in the evening... considering there was at least 50 babies in total, it's just not enough!). So then we moved onto the cotton nappies (in other words a square piece of cloth). I would say it took me a good 15 minutes with the first one, much to the babies amusement! 

Once the dirty stuff was out of the way, I settled myself in the pen with the slightly older babies. As soon as you step in the pen it's like a swarm of flies, they all rush towards you with their arms held out and plonk themselves on any part of your body. The only toys they had were tambourines which was a shame, but they found them greatly entertaining, despite several of them insisting on throwing them out the window... 

I then moved on to the younger babies and found myself alone in the pen with about 6 babies. These babies had no toys, cushions or anything, just a concrete floor! But all they want is a cuddle and to be picked up and they'll instantly stop crying. 

So here I was with 6 babies, one under each arm, two on my legs and 2 crying as they tried desperately to cling on to me! Now thankfully as anyone who knows me knows, I LOVE babies, so despite it being a little overwhelming, I can't complain at all! By the end of this experience I will have definitely satisfied any baby cravings AND motherhood will be a breeze... 

It's unbelievably sad that there's so many new babies coming into the orphanage constantly and there really aren't enough staff for the number of babies, if it weren't for the volunteers, the babies would get no attention or love at all so just the experience at the orphanage has made this trip feel worthwhile! 

In the afternoon, Lisa and I were on the community centre project. It's basically an after-school club run by us alone, that any local kids can come along to. We brought some paints and glitter to entertain the kids, which was hugely appealing to one of the kids, however the other three insisted on playing catch. I entertained this for some time but there is only so long I can run around in the heat (although it has rained almost all day today so is much cooler!) 

One of the boys was that annoying boy you always have in a class who is quite honestly a little brat who encourages other kids to misbehave. Lets just say it all got a little out of hand and resulted in us locking three boys out of the classroom! The experience has well and truly reinforced that I will be chucking my kids out when they turn 8 (joke... maybe). 

We ended the day with a trip to Galle Fort, largely for a chocolate brownie which all of the volunteers rave about. So we settled in a lovely little place with the best brownies in town! 

Lisa, Lucy, Sophie and Eddie 

There's more to say about the buses, volunteer house and life in Sri Lanka in general but I'll save that for another day! 

If you made it to the end of this... Congratulations! 

Good night x

The Adventure Begins

So here I am... In Sri Lanka!

I managed to cross the world all alone without getting lost or losing anything. That's an accomplishment right there! 

For those who don't know, I'm doing a volunteer project in Sri Lanka for a month and hope to get involved with teaching English, helping in an orphanage and lots more!  

I arrived at Colombo and was picked up by my wonderful driver Douglas and a Dutch girl named Sophie who is also volunteering. 

The journey from Colombo to Galle was pretty eye opening in itself. The roads are  MAD!! There are literally no rules, everyone crosses into each others lanes and over take constantly. I had a few near death experiences but finally made it to the house where I'll be staying with around 10 other volunteers. 

As soon as I got here Sophie and I wasted no time and got ourselves to the beach by means of a tuk tuk! Again... I saw my life flash before me several times! But it was fun! And in fact I felt pretty confident that the drivers know what they're doing despite my concerns. 

In the evening we had a meal cooked for us which was really tasty and a little spicy (I'll have to get used to that) and chilled out with the other volunteers! 

The humidity here is crazy! Wish me luck on my first nights sleep with a poxy fan to keep me cool.... 

Bye for now x

Radio Silent

The title of this blog post is very representative of how I've been the past month... My mind had been absorbed in the world of dissertation and my brain has made no allowances for any other thoughts... But hurrah it's done! And I can honestly say the whole experience was rather unstressful. Forget all the dissertation hype! (Come results...let's see if this blasé approach pays off...)

After moaning at the constant photos of people with their dissertations... I of course went ahead and followed the crowd ( living with a housemate that documents her life through photos, this opportunity could hardly go a miss)... 

MAC class of 2009 (or is it 2013!??) 

 

We were extremely lucky to have one of the very few sunny days of 2013 on dissertation hand in, so had a lovely BBQ with special guest appearances from DJ Scratch and DJ mix!... And yes there were decks and a microphone and I did sing a song or two. Beyonce eat your heart out! 

Despite my mind being absorbed by dissertation, I have In fact done a few other things the past month. Here's a few highlights that I'd like to remember! 

Baking the ultimate cake for my housemate Steph with another housemate of mine Wenna... 

But that's not it... Now check out the slices!!! Rainbow :) 

I also took a day away from work to spend a day at Alton Towers with Sid (formerly know as Steve, the name of which has been banished thanks to it being the same as my dads... Enough said).

Ever the one to find a deal, we bought a box of Kellogg's to get the adult go free voucher which I happily chopped off the box and popped in to my pocket. Turns out it's the actual voucher on the side of the box you need, not the pretty advertisement on the side (who knew!!) so here I am at the pay desk after a 3 hour drive from Cheltenham almost having to pay £50 to get into a theme park. Not an ideal situation when you're a poor student 

But hurrah! Thank you O2 priority moments for saving the day! (...and my relationship!) 

The day was then nicely rounded off with a BBQ in the not so sunny sunshine...

I've also had to big events at Uni, the summer ball and sports awards! Both of which allowed me to get dolled up (in recycled dresses, very unlike me) and enjoy one of my final few nights with my Uni chums. 

Wenna, Kate and I also took a day trip to Oxford once Uni work was all done and dusted.  Despite the drizzle of rain, we couldn't journey to Oxford without a go at punting! And what an adventure it was. 

It turns out that despite Kate being good at most sports, she is certainly not a natural at punting. Although the same could be said for me as I steered us into a bush which resulted in my hair getting entwined around the twigs. 

Ready to punt!! 

Now that Uni is over, I'm straight into the next adventure! So that's why I find myself sat in Heathrow airport with a bag that is determined to make me topple backwards (I'm sure there's a little  person in there running the opposite direction to me). 

With a further 4 hours wait before my flight, you can be sure to see another post to hear all about my travels.

Stay tuned! 

Adios x

Ps. First time using the blogspot app so i have no idea how this will all appear!