November 2013
Hello everybody,
Many things have happenend since the last message, and to cover them all would almost be enough for a short novel. Here are some of the things I can think of right now. So let’s start from the beginning.
I finished my gig at the hotel three weeks ago. I was lucky that for most of the last month the owners were gone, so things were quite nice and easy. They went to Australia but instructed the staff to tell everyone – including their close friends – that they’re just in the mountains few hours away from Kandy, with no cell reception.. so pathetic. The very same day they came back, I resigned. They still owe me third of the pay but I just can’t push myself to go over there or even call them and start yet another polite fight. I have to start working again though, so it looks like I’ll be back in the media, only elsewhere.
Saying good bye to the staff guys was hard, we got quite used to each other, also they learned enough English to talk about things that were bothering them at work, about their personal issues, or difficulties with the owners. I actually expected a little uprising after my leave, and I’m quite curious to know what was happening over the past few weeks. I might pay a visit to the staff lady’s house who invited me over for a dinner, or I may even go for a cup of tea to the hotel, just to say hello to the guys, and screw you and keep the rest of my tiny salary to the owners. There’s so many things to do before I leave :)
I moved out of there to a small guest house of Palitha, a local person I knew from traveling around here before, and made it my base camp for the remaining time in the country. My luggage is super big and super heavy (remember I originally intended to stay here for a bit longer..), and this way I can leave it here and travel with a small backpack with only the things I really need. I’m kinda worried about the next travels though.. I’ll give away some of the stuff but still it won’t be ideal. On the other hand, having a big luggage is pretty comfy if I don’t have to move much :)
I did some little travelling within the country during the last few weeks, I went to the beach for a few days. That was great, with exception to the local muslim population that seemed (and was) quite hostile at times. If you hear the name Arugam Bay, remember it’s a no-go zone. It’s one of the most popular beaches around here, people keep going there for the waves.. but I’d say it’s not really worth the hassle. Just as Edgar Allan might have said: Arugam Bay, never more :)
After that I decided to try out this meditation place that does 10-day courses of the ancient vipassana technique, the thing that eventually led Buddha to enlightenment. Interesting stuff: no talking nor eye contact allowed (awesome), therefore no need for all the little polite courtesies of everyday life, also I could be moody for the whole morning (we were getting up at 4am!) and nobody would notice.
We were required to attend the sittings for 10 hours a day, with short breaks for breakfast and lunch (and a tiny snack for dinner), so seemingly there was nothing happening.. but there were so many funny little things to observe around that I eventually started to write them down in brief notes. I might elaborate on this some other time, otherwise this email would take forever to read.
One of the many things I decided to do during the 100 hours of sitting cross-legged (the idea was to shut down the mind completely, but obviously that’s quite hard, so my imagination was running wild) was that I’d apply for an Indian visa and go over there for an intensive yoga training course.
I was already short of time so had to start the application process straight away after coming back to Kandy. A kind lady from the course lent me money for the visa fee, fortunately I had my passport with me. Due to a mistake in their online system, I was running around the offices literally for hours, and eventually got an appointment at the High Commission. Hot, sticky and sweaty, I somehow managed to charm the person in charge, who even made sure that I get the visa in less than a week, which is incredibly fast. (Update: I have the visa already. The Indians are faster than me writing this email!)
I thought I would be lucky and leave the country without having to try the local medical care, well I was wrong. Later in the evening the same day, as I was rushing downhill to meet the kind lady and pay back my debt, hungry and tired, my phone rang and the next thing I know, I was on the ground. I was lucky enough to fall right in front of the car of the owner of prominent private hospital, who offered to take me there immediately. I only hurt my knee and hand, nothing too serious, but plenty of blood. I didn’t have my passport, any official document, nor much cash with me, but was told it’s not a big deal and eventually got treated for free. Everyone was really kind (I guess they had no choice since it was the big boss who I came with), also the nurses were nice and skilled.
I’m already used to the fact that my surname gets twisted into all imaginable forms, but I thought that at least my first name is pretty easy to pronounce for anybody around the world, well this country proved me wrong again :) I’ve seen and heard things like Jada, Yana, Anna.. Palitha routinelly calls me Hanna, his daughter prefers the universal “Sis” (and asked me recently what my name actually was), and her mother doesn’t call me by name at all. She’s a very nice lady but tends to show her love through food rather than words (fine with me), also speaks no English. Guys at the hotel would address me as Miss Jana (made me feel kinda important), people in the neighbourhood sometimes refer to me as „sudu akka“, white sister (Vinnetou always comes to mind). Btw, there is a cat called Mongol in Palitha’s house (like from Mongolia). When I asked why, everyone looked at me with surprise, as if it was so clear: because it looks like a Mongol. It’s white with black ears and tail, and I’m not quite sure I get it :)
I offered I’d work on the texts and pictures they use on their website.. which looks pretty bad to say the least, as well as the overall design. Actually, it’s rather off-putting. I didn’t want to criticize it much but to my relief they’re getting a new one done by a professional soon. I’m hoping it will be at least half-decent, since everything “professional” in the country is often painfully amateur. (Update: There might be some exceptions – today I went to a new place to have some photos printed, and these guys actually knew what they were doing. Yes.)
Apart from that, these days I’m trying to get everything organized (hard work lol), also trying to decide what I’m going to do next and where exactly. My plans and ideas are changing constantly, it will probably be yet another free fall into the world of improvization. Also it seems that as soon as I decide for something, the whole world changes. For instance just as I’m getting everything ready to leave the country, I was offered an interesting and well-paid job in Colombo. Obviously I can’t really consider it now, I’m flying to Thailand in a few days.
I don’t have any christmas and nye plans so far, anybody up for a winter trip to the region? I think at least this one is a thing I should plan a little ahead – I can imagine hundreds of possible scenarios of things going completely wrong :D
Thanks guys for all your emails, I was happy to read what’s going on, still keeping in mind to send a more personal reply (sooner or) later. And I want more, keep them coming! :)
Take care xx
Jana
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