475/3A Thimbirigasyaya Rd
Colombo 05 Sri Lanka

Tonight we have our first session with a language tutor. We plan to meet twice a week when we are in town. Our hope is to learn enough Sinhala to get by. We don't intend to learn to read or write as the alphabet is totally different. Sorry I can't remember the term but it would be like learning how to write Chinese characters. Not going to happen in this lifetime. It took me about three weeks to learn to pronounce the name of our street. Remember I'm a southerner and anything over two syllables is a challenge.

Yesterday's newspaper had some statistics on the tsunami I thought you may find interesting. Yesterday was the one year anniversary. These are the stats for Sri Lanka:
Loss of lives 35,322
Injured 21,441
Displaced people 516,150
Lost livelihood 150,000
Loss of houses 98,000
Rehabilitation cost $2.2 billion US

The news was filled with stories of tragedy and outcomes a year later. I wept. It is unimaginable.

The longer we are here, the more distressed we are about solid waste. It is a real sad story here. Litter is everywhere. People will dump their garbage anywhere. As I walk to the internet cafe, I pass by an apartment complex that is at the bottom of a steep bank, near the road. People dump their garbage over the bank. It is common to see piles of garbage on the side of the road, where crows, dogs, cats, cows and flies have a feast eating rotten garbage. It breaks my heart. It also makes for an eyesore every time you see it not to mention it contributes to various diseases. 70% of the household gargage is kitchen waste that could be composted. In Nuwara Eliya they have realized the error of their ways and are completely turning it around. They are not fully functional yet but are well on their way and they have a plan for 2006-07 that will put them on top. But here in Colombo, it is a sorry state of affairs. By properly disposing solid waste you can greatly reduce malaria and other insect borne diseases. Well enough said.

We have our first party on Thursday. Ron has invited people from the Asia Foundation who work with his program to come by after work for drinks and snacks. So we will have 15 or so over. I'm smarter than I look-I had it catered. One of the drivers at work has a wife who will do some of the food prep and there is a caterer across Thimbirigasyaya Rd from us so I am giving them a try. Will report back on Friday!

Well it is hot as a pistol in the cafe so I am signing off before I pass out. Just kiddin'.

That's it from Sri Lanka where the weather is sultry, the men are gorgeous and Ron and Tricia are having an adventure!