Monday, March 28, 2005

Gone East

Lies, lies and damn lies. Air conditioned luxury, my arse. For those of you who have used 3rd world intercity buses, you will know this so skip tje next paragraph. For those of you who haven't read on.

I suggest you read this out loud and record it then sit in a comfy chair and paly it back as you need your eyes closed to imagine it. Think of a 1950 black & whit film, and think of the bus that would be in it. Then imagine that bus has been beaten to death for the last 50 years and our story can begin.

The 9.30 bus to Batticaloa left at 10pm on its 8 hour joutrney. The front door did not close, the rear door was completely blocked with the newspapers we were carrying to Batticaloa, the windows diod not fit, or close and the bus was completely overcrowded including 10 people who stood for the 8 hour journey. Imagine a driver wearing diving boots, that could only operate the accelorator and brake by being full on or off, and a bus that appeared to reach terminal velocity and resonant frequency all at the same time and seem to be careering out of control with the driver on the wrong side of the road, horn blaring scattering anything that came in the opposite direction. Now ask yourself, did I sleep??

Well actually, by about 3am it became the only alternative.

Anyway for welcome back the seasoned travellers. The journey was worth it. The TRO people here in Batticaloa are remarkably helpful friendfly and kind. I am shjaring a couple rooms with an Australian couple, a few large roaches, and a world convention of mossies, but it is really great.

Have been to a temprary shelter and spoken to a number of people and interviewwed the only resident who spoke English. Had a great seesion with her for an hour and got loads of info on the beneficiaries feelings. also spoken to the nurses in the clinic, the architects building the new village and taken loads of piccies.

All in all it has been a goo coupkle of day. I have given the TRO a programme of what I would like to acheive and we are discussing this later this morning.

Will also try to find FORUT and our long, lost brother Steve Cummings. Does anyone have a photo of him???

Hope everyone else is doing well, for those into the footie, I know England beat N. ireland 4-0 in the world cup qualifier.

Good to hear from Palwasha this week, and good to hear Azusa is sorterd. Any news from Lara???, and how is wee lassie getting on in Sudan. How ios your luxury guest house, young lady. We are all dying to find out.

Will post again soon.

Cheers all.

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