24th February, 2022
This evening’s sunset was quite unlike any I have ever seen before.
Grey rain falling from grey skies over a grey sea as if to reflect the grey and foreboding mood today coming from Europe – and then from nowhere appeared the orange disc of the sun before it bade goodbye a few seconds later.
Steve
May 2021
Mummy No 24 got in contact with me in her 24th week (a nice coincidence). We finally met at 33 weeks to have a noodle bar lunch with her husband, discussing how pregnancy was going and to make plans for birth. Lots of WhatsApp messages of reassurance were needed beforehand, like with any other pregnant woman I have been supporting. Frequent traveling from South to Colombo was tiring, so they moved to the city at their 37th week’s appointment and waited.
There were some signs that she will be going to labour soon, and when her water broke at midnight at 37+4 weeks, they called me on their way to the hospital to inform me, but actually didn’t need me until 4.30am the next day. I had had a “feeling” that evening and gone to bed earlier just in case, so when they called me, I was well rested. I got a taxi and was in for my 13th Rapid antigen test at 5.03am, with the couple at 5.30am – and then she birthed her baby at 5.54am. Super-fast for a first time mum, unbelievable. No pain relief. Baby Arila was born into her arms and both were overjoyed. I went upstairs and prepared their bedroom – perfect timing for breakfast.
I think this must be one of the fastest births I have been to. She was discharged from hospital the next day and before they made the long trip South, I went to see them at the place they were staying, to equip them with answers to their many questions, as each new parents have. New grandma was driving them home, a very modern Sri Lankan family, leaving independence and decision making to the new parents and not forcing them to follow traditions and rules of the culture, which most of the time interferes with the way new-born family wants to live their lives. One lucky family indeed. They will be able to listen to the baby’s needs without any pressure of other people’s opinions.
Rennie
April 2021
I spoke to mummy No 23, a German lady with a Sri Lankan husband for the first time in her 35th week of her pregnancy and she was well aware of her rights and what her wishes were with a 4 paged birth Plan. Her doctor gave her my number as she was hoping for a waterbirth.
I met both of them in a coffee shop in her 37th week and we discussed the Sri Lankan system, the way she hoped to birth her baby boy and how to manage her expectations within the private health system here. They live a long way from Colombo on the other side of the island and were making that long journey at exactly 39 weeks, with the view of being admitted the next day to see, what is happening.
The labour was starting and stopping and I was called to be with them in hospital at that point, enduring another antigen test, which was negative. She was getting tired with each hour passing and after 24 hours in hospital the doctor stepped in and suggested to speed up the process with an induction. Another 12 hours in the labour room followed with me supporting (massage, aromatherapy, positive affirmation, king coconut water) and despite all this and the long labour, we had time for music and dancing, fairy lights and a coffee with cinnamon buns from my favourite coffee shop! She did an amazing job and a baby boy was born with the assistance of the doctor at 18:03 and I witnessed yet another special moment when a new family was born.
When new daddy sent me a picture of being reunited with his son Rahmi the next day, the joy and happiness was tangible. They were driven by their friend back to their place in paradise after a 4-day hospital stay and the new mum was over the moon with her baby boy. He was doing really well and the whole family was overjoyed with them arriving back home. Life for them is just one big happiness, quietly enjoying their little family away from people and civilization in their tropical paradise by the sea. Mummy is German and daddy is Tamil and from a family with deep cultural roots, but I know they are a modern family within the community they are living.
Rennie
April 2021
Mummy No 22 was part of the Colombo Expats Association and I learned about her pregnancy at 24 weeks, when I went to visit her family for a coffee while I was visiting another mummy in her apartment block. This was her third pregnancy, expecting a first girl. She was excited and having me onboard to support her gave her confidence and reassurance. She had a super easy pregnancy and as she was so relaxed with her boys and so chilled, she really enjoyed being pregnant despite being stuck at home and challenged by the pandemic and home schooling.
Clary sage massages, acupressure or any other tricks were failing to start her labour off, so she decided to have her labour induced 10 days past her due date; this girl was not in a hurry, was she? Her husband took us both to the hospital at 6am that morning and after settling herself down into the nice Moon room, he went home to see the boys. I went to be with her at 11am, giving her back massage and encouragement and felt the contractions came suddenly and strongly from nowhere. It all happened so fast that the pool was still being filled as baby girl Claudia was born at 11.57.
The power of a woman and her body amazes me each time I witness the miracle of life and I am in awe of the pure nature of human beings. A new family member was born and she can now carry on life in Sri Lanka with her family complete. Just incredible.
She was home a few days later and her boys were over the moon with their new sister, but especially having their mummy back home with them. Seeing a family with three kids, the happiness and love is tangible.
Rennie
100 teabags of Mahmood Black Ceylon Tea lined up and inviting their enjoyment! My favourite tea both with and without milk but always without sugar, my preference given a choice being to take it hot and black to enjoy the full flavour with soft edge and smooth finish to the full.
Steve
Sunday, 20th February 2022
I’d love to know how old this British post box is; ravaged by the salty air outside the Galle Face hotel, still in use but sadly without visible manufacturing date.
Steve
11th February, 2022 at 07:12hrs
Rennie and a complete stranger who joined her to wave at me, passing by our apartment en route from Colombo Fort to Weligama to meet her Czech friends. A lovely feeling both to see her and to know that she’s doing her own exploring of a land that has long given me such opportunities.
Steve
20th February, 2022
This evening’s incredibly orange sunset.
Steve
Monday 14th February 2022
Like every year, I gift my children and Steve some chocolate on Valentine’s day, but I gift them my love every day of the year.
Steve and I had a romantic dinner on Sunday 13th February, just the two of us, the kids having a special treat of McDonalds delivered after we left. As last year because we had enjoyed it so much and the meat is amongst the best in town, we went to ‘rare’ bar & kitchen at Uga Residences for a high quality meal in the nice surroundings of this impeccably maintained Portuguese colonial villa. Steve enjoyed choosing from the superb wine list, but signs of the import restrictions to preserve foreign currency reserves were evidenced in his first choice and numerous others not being available.
The walk home afterwards was as last year too – but this time pre-warned of the hundreds and hundreds of crows in the avenue of trees alongside Bera lake and the liquid mess they make on the ground. Steve took a chance and photographed the lake, choosing a spot on the lakeside where the trees were thinner but still flinching every time he heard ‘splat’ on the pavement!
On Valentine’s day itself, I cooked steamed pork on vegetables with home made potatoes wedges and a vegetarian ratatouille – by unanimous agreement, absolutely delicious.
A family picture was taken holding the big red heart that was made to have some fun with International Expatriates Association members.
Rennie
4th February to 12th February 2022
I keep inviting our dear friends to visit Sri Lanka to use the opportunity of us being here, to help them organise and manage their trips. When I told one of my university friends in Czech last summer, she was delighted and said she may come with her traveling buddy she has met 20 years ago.
On a ‘Zoom Christmas punch’ video call about 2 weeks before Christmas I suggested to the wider group to make it to Sri Lanka. They agreed and started to plan the trip of a lifetime; traveling with friends of 30 years, adventure not to be missed and something to look forward to.
Superkočky (Superkotchky) or in English, Supercats, was born. Within a week, a group of 7 was formed and on 24th December they bought the plane tickets – what a great Christmas present to themselves.
We started planning logically, methodically: A wish list from each of them, the decision how to travel (cars, trains or a small bus), what activities to do and what to see, what route to take, budget, what accommodation to stay in… you name it. You can imagine, not an easy task with 8 different personalities but by mutual respect and listening we decided to suit all and a plan was made, the bus and a guide was booked and all was in motion.
Last minute tasks: Insurance, visa, PCR, health declaration, packing and train tickets to Prague airport. Unfortunately, one of them had a positive pre departure PCR and had to stay behind. This was a big a disappointment for all involved so only 6 of them set off from their homes full of expectations.
I “travelled” with them to the airport and followed them on FlightRadar24 on both flights from Prague to Dubai, Dubai to Colombo. They arrived on Friday 4th February at 8.25am and it took nearly 2.5hours for them to get out of the airport for a hug. A bus with a driver and a guide (our usual family driver, Ishar, as he is actually a certified tour guide) was waiting for us all and as soon as we got on, we were on our way to the Millennium Elephant Orphanage. They were tired, stressed, hungry, hot, bothered, overwhelmed – you name it.
By the time we reached the elephants with some food from my kitchen and some peace in the air conditioned bus for 2.5 hours, there were composed and had an unforgettable time with elephant Raja and his mahout. They have never experienced anything like being so close to the big mammal, learning about him and spending time with him. Having the mahout climb a palm to get a fresh king coconuts down for us to enjoy was just amazing. Arriving at our first accommodation near Sigiriya rock with a swimming pool was lovely; an opportunity to take a dip and taste their first Sri Lankan dinner – a grilled tuna steak with salad and fried rice.
The second day we went to Dambulla Cave Temples – the girls loved it, especially the empty caves full of Lord Buddhas. A celebration of 30 years’ friendship (we started at the University of Olomouc in September 1991) by the pool with Czech “Christmas” loaf and tropical fruit whilst reminiscing was unforgettable. Trying to climb the famous rock Pidurangala for sunset was one of the toughest for some, especially as one had 4 slipped discs, and some a fear of heights. We held a small ritual of “letting go” at the top with things we wish to let go from our lives. We wrote it on a piece of paper and instead of burning it, which was fire risk, we tore it in small pieces and throw it into the wind. That night was the first typical Sri Lankan vegetarian curry dinner for the girls to taste and we drank nearly a whole bottle of pink gin with tonic. For the first time in ages, the girls made me drink and I giggled my way through the evening!
The next day a 3.5-hour visit to a Herbal Garden, learning a lot about plants and herbs, was a highlight for some of us. A Kandyan dancing show followed in the evening, and then tasting delicious Tamil Dosai on the balcony of one of the hotels drinking delicious thick mixed fruit juice – (the girls loved anything to do with tropical fruits). An evening walk around the Temple of the Tooth Relic was next, again talking about our lives. Having been given free Lotus flowers to enjoy by one of the stall holders, we placed them gently onto the lake.
A night in an Eco retreat above Kandy was very calming and then in the morning they dropped me at Kandy train station before continuing to Ella with their guide. I had some meetings to attend and teaching to facilitate, so for the first time in Sri Lanka I travelled alone, but knowing that my friends were safe and would have more fun times together. I travelled first class, the 3 hour journey to Colombo Fort Station costing the princely sum of the equivalent of £2.50.
I re-joined them on Friday morning in Weligama (down South, again travelled on my own by train, the 2nd class ticket for the 3.5 hours journey costing about one Pound). Unfortunately I met a bitterly disappointed group that had spent 6 hours on a whale watching trip without seeing a single whale or dolphin – only two turtles.
However, to top their trip in Sri Lanka, I booked us into the 5 star hotel Le Grand in Galle, which didn’t disappoint. The rooms each had a balcony and a lovely sea view, the food was delicious and the well-kept grounds with a nice swimming pool were just fabulous. We had a super time. A walk in Galle town with some shopping was a must, however seeing the lighthouse in the dark and in the rain was not as romantic as we hoped for.
Morning breakfast was another delicious feast and our drive to Colombo on their last day of Saturday 12th February took only 2.5hours on the highway. We managed to get upstairs to our apartment with all their suitcases so they could pack and repack before their travel. As a last activity in Sri Lanka, we had a Tuk Tuk tour into the old Colombo city, all to do with the port and its history – fascinating. Curry dinner cooked by Steve and Emi was delicious, and being joined by our best friend Mala, who I wanted them to meet, was very special indeed.
Goodbyes are never easy, but I felt it was a super trip for them and me. They learned a lot about themselves and each other – a group where all of us are individual, but we somehow fit together and complement each other. We have so many stories to tell and so many pictures to share. We will continue when we meet again in summer in Czech and are already planning our 40th anniversary – most likely in the USA.
No pre departure PCR test was needed, but as they are teachers, they have to do an antigen test each Monday and Wednesday morning. To our surprise, two of them tested positive on Monday after their arrival so had extended break with 7 days in isolation/quarantine. We tested ourselves and were all thankfully negative.
Rennie
