And a fine meal it was!!!

February 6, 2017

We are having a grand time seeing friends and Ron’s former colleagues here. We had a great reunion with Veena and her family for dinner last night. Afterwards she and her sister who lives in the DC area came to see our Airbnb. Veena owns two homes on the same property and we encouraged her to consider using the second house as an Airbnb.

This morning our host had her cook make us a Sri Lankan breakfast which was a real treat. Afterwards we visited my jeweler friend who makes pendants for me from semi precious stones which I give as gifts. I gave him an order and made arrangements for our driver to pick them up while we are in Jaffna. Next stop was Asia Foundation where Ron worked in 2005-06 to see former colleagues. It was like a reunion as many folks were still there. I visited with my dear friend Herath who was the critical link between my former housekeeper and me. Geetha worked at the Asian Foundation and Herath would send her messages via email which made it possible to develop our loving relationship. Geetha passed away in August.

We went to an Indian restaurant for lunch and ate rich Indian fare while visiting with a young couple from Denmark at the next table. We then visited a branch of our fave store, Barefoot and I was able to find just the placemats I needed for home. Then we went to a shop to have prints made of photos of Geetha’s family to give to them before we leave.

We came home to rest in the heat of the day. What a great way to live. Tonight we have dinner with two consultants that Ron worked with here in 2005-06 who happen to be in town on another project.

February 7, 2017

Dinner last night was great with lots of conversation about our new prez but also about our time here in 2005-06 when Alex and Don worked at the Asia Foundation where Ron was in partnership with them.

Neither of us slept well last night, up at 2:00 and read until 3:30. OY! This morning we ran errands. First I went to Ajith who is making some pendants and I paid him, then to Barefoot to get a thank you card and photo frame for Geetha’s daughters and to see if any new clothes had arrived. Not yet. We enjoyed an Americano in the Barefoot Cafe underneath the palm trees with a cool breeze. Next we went to the pharmacy for more pills then to lunch for a sandwich. After the rich lunch yesterday we were in the mood for lighter fare.

We returned home around 1:00 or 1:30 and have been repacking for the trip to Jaffna and taking care of computer tasks. We leave at 8:30 a.m. and will be driving all day to get to the north of the island. Tonight Mr Kularathna is having us over for dinner. This tradition started when we lived here and now he invites us each trip to dine with his family. The family prepares a feast and stands around us while we dine which is how it is done here. Awkward for Americans but when in Sri Lanka….

Our meal included delicious fried shrimp that were fresh and sweet, kottu, chicken curry, fish curry, tomato/chili relish, rice, green beans, pittu and four fresh fruits for dessert: watermelon, papaya, mango and bananas.  Mr K made the kottu. Earlier in the week Ron mentioned he wanted some kottu and that was when Mr K invited us to dinner and said he would make it. Kottu is thinly sliced roti, onion, egg, chilies, chicken.  It is stir fried on a large flat iron plate over a flame outside.  You start with chilis and onion, then add egg then add roti and chicken. It was great. .Afterwards we left because the family will not eat until we leave. Off to bed as we will arise early.