Life in the slow lane

Hello dear reader, its Sunday lunchtime and I am back at home.

Last night was a little cooler and I got some good sleep in, you will be pleased to know.

This morning, as usual my driver did not appear, to take me to the office so about 10 I decided I would walk and see if I could get a 3 wheeler somewhere. Now unfortunately, we are on a back road so the chances of a 3 wheeler are pretty remote. The walk is a long one, probably about 30 minutes and it is hot, sunny and very dusty and I have a heavy bag with laptop etc. Still a challenge is good for the soul, so I set off.

After about 10 minutes I managed to flag down a passing motor bike (with rider) and got him to give me a lift to the office so all ended well, until I got to the office. I had told them I wanted to head back to Colombo today (which is why I was expecting a truck to pick me up!!) Anyway there is no-one (only the doorman) at the office as it is Sunday, so no chance of anything happening today. So I thought, OK, I will stay here and do some work, but there is no power on Sunday, so that plan was also foiled. Only thing to do is wander back to the house and relax on the veranda for a well-earned day off. Will do some research for dissertation and write a blog entry with the remaining 10 mins left of laptop battery.

Got a 3 wheeler back to the house and here I am sat on my veranda giving you my latest thoughts and the story of my derring-do.

It is really good here in Kilinochchi, the pace is slow and easy, everyone is so friendly and helpful. It is poor but that is the norm here. People are rebuilding their lives after the war and now after the Tsunami, which hit the coast nearby. So many people have been displaced here and so much property destroyed. Most of the buildings have been repaired or put up in the last 2 years. Most people seem to live in very modest buildings made of local materials down these dirt track roads.

Anyway, battery is looking ominously low and I need to do some work, so, have a good day, and enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

1:45pm 10/7/2005