tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65957419697056660272024-02-19T02:01:11.484-08:00Peg, The Accompanying SpouseA dark tale of vagabondage!Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-91628919921069225802015-02-05T06:53:00.000-08:002015-02-05T06:53:31.666-08:00Winterlude/Bal de Neige<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know the expression "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em?" Well, I decided that I was going to gird my loins and walk down to Winterlude. It's a winter festival being held downtown in Confederation Park, a mere 23 minute walk, in minus 23 degree weather. This is when it really pays to have a bit more padding! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_63TvdPvOamBUbfu1jTSVlna_9biXs-ybQMb_QCGpKWrHP17P12jm1rOJbLSYYoc6WiEuilI74udZz1bEUgAfzLhcREudPipVhnfIvoeRinQg3FFLCBEh1z638zeMjKEeZwokVvWDURq/s1600/DSCN4643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_63TvdPvOamBUbfu1jTSVlna_9biXs-ybQMb_QCGpKWrHP17P12jm1rOJbLSYYoc6WiEuilI74udZz1bEUgAfzLhcREudPipVhnfIvoeRinQg3FFLCBEh1z638zeMjKEeZwokVvWDURq/s1600/DSCN4643.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Japanese and American carvers at work.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stopped at the library to renew my card and found out I had a fine for a book on English/Malay conversation! Certainly appropriate given the last time I used the Ottawa Public Library was just before we left for KL, 7 yrs ago. So now I can borrow without guilt! It's chance to read all those mags I am too embarrassed to buy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway there were tonnes of families down to take a look at the ice sculptures. There were a couple of characters dressed like Klondike Mike types really pouring on the Quebecois accent, telling stories and manipulating wood puppets for the kids. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G6b8C8LQ50RVx4yYoCaW_Bj-PB2G7yVqr1CpiIucpyg7FvEnJJvqten2yC_Y2ae2ykR8IojdIOylzWMT0O3pvWd-oJ9xlj5gdnSQ1MCKhNwNcoywRArBXkKPcT021MRf0scmGgMOYQgu/s1600/DSCN4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G6b8C8LQ50RVx4yYoCaW_Bj-PB2G7yVqr1CpiIucpyg7FvEnJJvqten2yC_Y2ae2ykR8IojdIOylzWMT0O3pvWd-oJ9xlj5gdnSQ1MCKhNwNcoywRArBXkKPcT021MRf0scmGgMOYQgu/s1600/DSCN4653.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This little girl was transfixed by the dancing puppets</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was fun to watch some of the little kids try their hands a chopping wood. Seems kinda dumb to our generation but kids today (OMG am I using that!!?) don't have much opportunity to lose digits in traditional activities. The worst they could do today is lose a digit to frostbite due to texting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, of course, the real reason for all this was the chance to eat maple syrup cooled on a popsicle stick. Sounds sickly sweet but it is delish! The sugar strands kind of get stuck in your hair but so be it. While I was there getting my pop 3 people who had participated in the Kilt Skate. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY157eD4jfF-DUoulx_H5NQ5r3jSDmC_8HY8z7p66W4w8DF7BBN_gBRkfHiLYlDhC8IbDhYCZpE4ocI-PzFlwKCwqIOBEPDKkUhsPZgJNCrcP6yogUhctg6_ekL8bpc0xkpmMH0aWnvYZ/s1600/DSCN4650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY157eD4jfF-DUoulx_H5NQ5r3jSDmC_8HY8z7p66W4w8DF7BBN_gBRkfHiLYlDhC8IbDhYCZpE4ocI-PzFlwKCwqIOBEPDKkUhsPZgJNCrcP6yogUhctg6_ekL8bpc0xkpmMH0aWnvYZ/s1600/DSCN4650.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one's for you M!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHvHE_63ctz6nb1HzrqiBW-3vJ_niQmN5JjBdWG81PdDzFrbf91-XkaQcq4802qk2Z_3BP3H_wCqn6X1MSRRAv6folsvKUEFiV_D_sSPkcL4tludSl_obnoqeC5I5SKW9RbB0YdJn1htQ/s1600/DSCN4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHvHE_63ctz6nb1HzrqiBW-3vJ_niQmN5JjBdWG81PdDzFrbf91-XkaQcq4802qk2Z_3BP3H_wCqn6X1MSRRAv6folsvKUEFiV_D_sSPkcL4tludSl_obnoqeC5I5SKW9RbB0YdJn1htQ/s1600/DSCN4648.JPG" height="320" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kilt Skate trio!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dunno if you can see it exactly, but the guy on the right, has a dead fox on his head. Savage sex appeal or what?! Looked like fun so I decided if I could see more men in skirts on the canal but it was just regular folks enjoying the sun and ice. It brought back a few memories of when I took M to the festival when we lived there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvKKGBAJE2TF-B9bwURu1LHZQQTMgdGVq1umc9wrjnmtOivL6QYtz6Wp0dq2kApmVZD6K6ocun457nByx1HhDe8slVHnZdTCzOfXUh8CjQcylJMnRUBKonPDHx-xbf-kiQQhM2GKDwGO3/s1600/DSCN4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvKKGBAJE2TF-B9bwURu1LHZQQTMgdGVq1umc9wrjnmtOivL6QYtz6Wp0dq2kApmVZD6K6ocun457nByx1HhDe8slVHnZdTCzOfXUh8CjQcylJMnRUBKonPDHx-xbf-kiQQhM2GKDwGO3/s1600/DSCN4660.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks like fun!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-5479161967179312512014-12-13T01:07:00.000-08:002014-12-13T01:07:29.401-08:00The pachyderm in the room<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP32Isq5oM6GfjeIVCDB9xKmNnJYtfGcfQe2_U5VWRXlUqOC3od_v14zm9ckRJ_udbDjQ7RAqhjGrKogjXLcn2ZuyaGUmVCvRl7iSrHLO814jcFHb17TnAihBSjBZ1de5bFOqmNPLU7MZ/s1600/Xmasyogawreath.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP32Isq5oM6GfjeIVCDB9xKmNnJYtfGcfQe2_U5VWRXlUqOC3od_v14zm9ckRJ_udbDjQ7RAqhjGrKogjXLcn2ZuyaGUmVCvRl7iSrHLO814jcFHb17TnAihBSjBZ1de5bFOqmNPLU7MZ/s1600/Xmasyogawreath.jpg.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey, It's a yoga wreath...get it?!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I have putting this off for ages but as I think, most of my readers know, my eldest and I are leaving Sri Lanka in January. He has been very unhappy for the last year or so. Most of the reasons why are unfathomable to us but they matter to him. Frankly, speaking the last 4 yrs+ have been quite unsettling for our family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First we were supposed to stay for 4 yrs in Seattle but that was cut to 2 when G had to close down the office. Both boys had settled down into a nice routine and were being fairly "normal". I have admit Seattle is a damn fine place to live, aside from the political crap (race/guns/education) and I was finding my groove. It was where N imprinted...you know like the geese do with a trainer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So moving here was a big change and perhaps not the most thought out option. I think if I ever give a lecture for new recruits to this line of business, I will definitely tell them them to plan out the kids education and where you want to be. Most kids are okay with the life but there are those who aren't, and they are entitled to that. They didn't choose the life...we did. That said, this is an huge imposition but we get it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I am honest, I'm kind of tired of the life right now. So much is coming at me, teenage boys, career aspirations, menopause, yadda, yadda, yadda. This break could just what the doctor ordered for our family. You live very closely when you are abroad. This post is especially hard for teens 'cuz there ain't really that much to do but get into trouble or spend too much time on the internet. I really want the boys to have what I had growing up, a job, school, friends, hanging out, independence and growth. We are all a bit stunted here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I beat myself up that this was the "wrong move" but who could anticipate all that has transpired? In so many ways it hasn't been the wrong move for me, I have done stuff and met people I never would've. My sister and my dear, dear friends even came to visit and we got to have laughs and some pretty wild adventures...how cool is that? So now when I talk about "Galle" or Slave Island there are 3 more people who know what I'm on about!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has been really nice is that people have been quite supportive. One couple in particular saw it as a good thing and spoke of all the positive stuff that could come out of it. It was like being thrown a life raft. I am scared, I don't know how to parent a teenager. I only have my experience as one! "YIKES!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">N is off on his way, it is now time for me to transition. It is hard to let go and some of N's choices are difficult for me to accept but I must (within safety limits of course!). I've got to preserve me as I still have one more child coming up the line and a husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's funny, a good friend noted that divorce rates spike at 7 and 25 years...guess where we are. It will be hard to for me to go back to "wifey" role after 6 months of being a single mom. Not having to feel like I must cook a decent, well balanced dinner etc., is going to be liberating in so may ways. For the most part though, I do it because I want to, G works hard and loves his family. I am lucky to have him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then M, my youngest. He is going to get some responsibilities that horrify me. But if anyone can do it he can. I can trust him to be responsible. Even now, I can feel my blood pressure rise as I think of him flying home alone at the end of term, but he'll do it and I should really be proud of that. Again this couple mentioned how rewarding that type of experience is. I get it...but he's still my baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whew! Big confessional post. It's that time of year. I am excited by moving back to Canada. It is home and "normalcy" is something to be cherished. Perhaps I'll feel differently when I'm shoveling snow at 7 a.m., but there you have it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, with our disgruntled kids we are off to Kandy, then climb Sigiriya (really really awesome!), see some elephants, all by train. Then home for a few days then down to the beach until New Year's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year's (of course!) has it's own set of challenges but I'll write soon.</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-19795362211272000862014-11-16T00:38:00.002-08:002014-11-16T00:38:45.897-08:00A CAPricious Tour of Sri Lanka<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nV1YLNb9QPODpIIrfPSNBmuM0CP6tzBVVAn2FbEmmgqcltvIKhyHNhZdSu-2ALJdh5ahghSYf8JB6X_5oz7EpobCYvLEUPGv1B7fnR5eeQVdWwr2EXxPTfomrsTeD-n2qnA45_pZZ5Tq/s1600/CathyPrice.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nV1YLNb9QPODpIIrfPSNBmuM0CP6tzBVVAn2FbEmmgqcltvIKhyHNhZdSu-2ALJdh5ahghSYf8JB6X_5oz7EpobCYvLEUPGv1B7fnR5eeQVdWwr2EXxPTfomrsTeD-n2qnA45_pZZ5Tq/s1600/CathyPrice.jpg.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I know it is spelled"Ayubowan".</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.7272720336914px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Because I like to greet everyone with a fairly embarrassing sign, I rushed out to get this old photo from Kuantan printed. I got home only to realize that I spelled it wrong! Fortunately my kindergarten skills came in handy, I repaired it and I went forth proudly with a proper sign. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kwrZ2VlzBD81uCYRh5ra-uaNppzrqB-jc9POdoeTpLM1w5yQ8pW-rxeNR__D1aObdDUWRraOpRnedxcTrnl0s02QXI09WGUNKHdxPlQfajOZH4t6ZfU_0zXtqFwIpx6UZ4b9qGbOO1Bo/s1600/DSCN3118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C landed and I threw her right into the action. She was an awfully good sport about it. The first day I got her out and about to BreadTalk, Victoria Park, Laksala, and the Sunday Art Walk, where she bargained like a demon for an elephant painting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next couple of days were spent in Colombo doing Barefoot (natch!) and Crescat. Not too exciting but definitely a nice intro to life here. I planned things out almost to the minute and it was lovely to have someone so pliant and agreeable (unlike the rest of the characters in my life!). Thursday morning we headed out to Kandy by train. (Yes, I know "liquor is quicker"*)</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY2FzQtu_FEWwxB2wi5DgQ_X1zK45B0TNxglxXUSuMTqfJcJEg2TeurIXRxnDHpeqqSa12nWpV8xnKU9SclgFysYYWwMS8TkfZEIDAXAUNdfC1Q5u8YohD4F78e-2oVBCWG_YkBZY95XN/s1600/DSCN3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY2FzQtu_FEWwxB2wi5DgQ_X1zK45B0TNxglxXUSuMTqfJcJEg2TeurIXRxnDHpeqqSa12nWpV8xnKU9SclgFysYYWwMS8TkfZEIDAXAUNdfC1Q5u8YohD4F78e-2oVBCWG_YkBZY95XN/s1600/DSCN3180.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visiting Kandy on a Poya Day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an amazing time to be visiting Kandy. They take Poya very seriously here and there was definitely a festival atmosphere in the air. There were tonnes of families out and about enjoying the relatively cooler air. I didn't go into the temple but I did get to see the temple elephant go by. I just about missed him as they almost seem to glide by, these, noiseless giants. So whilst Cathy went in, I wandered around the grounds playing with my camera and trying to get some photos.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy7mCVp6NuWiDJtVRr_fpvlXXN0RP0ZKKwwpEHYCrsR9sqyo2V5VKU53MQBVoZRu1sAlot7DTuZQK-bliSDq1FrC7nccrP70HQGQ37MyDgd4NPPqT2aQnZuPXYkTp1LlblTKRzo9Orkmh/s1600/DSCN3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy7mCVp6NuWiDJtVRr_fpvlXXN0RP0ZKKwwpEHYCrsR9sqyo2V5VKU53MQBVoZRu1sAlot7DTuZQK-bliSDq1FrC7nccrP70HQGQ37MyDgd4NPPqT2aQnZuPXYkTp1LlblTKRzo9Orkmh/s1600/DSCN3160.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who doesn't like popsicles?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I saw this lady and practically fell over myself trying to be unobstrusive. I loved the contrast of the colour of her skin, the ice lolly, her hair....sigh, she was gorgeous.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjD7frAcZe0jJ-_HbCT0QBcNojwpUeQALYmlIgHGVtZ6SIjhiJH3IDJ69zbTeHCyhfr_NLURbY4vzeB5LrI5qVduyTCMBSXdcM1XtKCgq3bUCwtXt2WclSbPZY3f3uWHDKlMxb0sZg9Ll/s1600/DSCN3205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjD7frAcZe0jJ-_HbCT0QBcNojwpUeQALYmlIgHGVtZ6SIjhiJH3IDJ69zbTeHCyhfr_NLURbY4vzeB5LrI5qVduyTCMBSXdcM1XtKCgq3bUCwtXt2WclSbPZY3f3uWHDKlMxb0sZg9Ll/s1600/DSCN3205.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some pink floss stuff!?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also saw a vendor selling something I hadn't seen before. I know that these peddlars are vanishing and I was keen to try and get some shots. This was the second man I saw selling this pink floss out of rolled newspaper cones. Being too much of a chickenshit, I didn't buy any but I was really intrigued by it. It seemed like some "olde timey candy" that held lots of memories for the adults and just a sugar rush for the kids.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kwrZ2VlzBD81uCYRh5ra-uaNppzrqB-jc9POdoeTpLM1w5yQ8pW-rxeNR__D1aObdDUWRraOpRnedxcTrnl0s02QXI09WGUNKHdxPlQfajOZH4t6ZfU_0zXtqFwIpx6UZ4b9qGbOO1Bo/s1600/DSCN3118.JPG" height="298" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gorgeous school girls Kandy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4G32VuMXzpUt-C_NoVwhdMUe9jDWaVBodfntDjfO4ROVFUqSsj-goOYKb1RoKWtT16un6S4BDRzCO-S3G_fZpgPWIjO-yM7ZaVd0Z_KK3lOUsCJQxuDsY0advSmIFXTVZqVbg8-i5KzQ/s1600/DSCN3148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4G32VuMXzpUt-C_NoVwhdMUe9jDWaVBodfntDjfO4ROVFUqSsj-goOYKb1RoKWtT16un6S4BDRzCO-S3G_fZpgPWIjO-yM7ZaVd0Z_KK3lOUsCJQxuDsY0advSmIFXTVZqVbg8-i5KzQ/s1600/DSCN3148.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A view of the Queen's bath house</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBpGeKq25ADgaOIch4NGMn1xC-psaQvXeabZCJWnszdLO637LPfP5_R68xWRKqJuTkagUHqdvxA2YL-p6Y92AKSmbt9RTEOnSsTJapSOc9z5NIwA9teS9FWLqgal6koyCHHs5zgfgDafX/s1600/DSCN3224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBpGeKq25ADgaOIch4NGMn1xC-psaQvXeabZCJWnszdLO637LPfP5_R68xWRKqJuTkagUHqdvxA2YL-p6Y92AKSmbt9RTEOnSsTJapSOc9z5NIwA9teS9FWLqgal6koyCHHs5zgfgDafX/s1600/DSCN3224.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKu9IfURw-AVx0VSuIDFJfwaBlJJEF1CZ4jpSQmUE9cTgOR12-N9nx76mPfE_1mL_bIbA-liNaxJ5kRivE2fHvwdpA08LYw1Exi0Ifbo9o2GpWfm9uwHHsZfj6LZ5rTrGbIIP2CNvT_m/s1600/DSCN3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsKu9IfURw-AVx0VSuIDFJfwaBlJJEF1CZ4jpSQmUE9cTgOR12-N9nx76mPfE_1mL_bIbA-liNaxJ5kRivE2fHvwdpA08LYw1Exi0Ifbo9o2GpWfm9uwHHsZfj6LZ5rTrGbIIP2CNvT_m/s1600/DSCN3242.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day was our drive up to Sigiriya. We passed through Matale and of course had to stop at the Hindu Temple there. Even though I had seen it only ~2 months ago, the intense sun had faded the colours. However there was still this lovely Ganesh to ponder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved the vibrancy of the life around the temple as well. Laundry day always intrigues me and I love the way this was backlit. Trying to be arty-farty and get a decent shot is hard!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, we made it to Sigiriya just in time to climb it during the force of the mid-day sun. How is that for planning? It was amazing! I am so glad I did it. It wasn't a hard climb and the vistas were stunning. I was a little concerned about the possibility of a wasp attack but fortunately C didn't tell me about the swarm she saw until we were on top. Lemme tellya my descent was rapid and gingerly done after hearing that!. There were 2 of the sweetest girls skipping up the mountain who wanted to chat, so I engaged them and got this great photo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm5_ZvqzsGZ-TXb-06hqDK2KwKeK4To0ebjTyfYrjZYkxT4ePIoEmrP6jefXcqf-uNvAfGSKzVgsVupJE5XHz9tYaCrp2sKCK3E6vn-wea-L-rLMlLyhKm17EIcm1irWyNa0imbJPJPh_/s1600/DSCN3259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm5_ZvqzsGZ-TXb-06hqDK2KwKeK4To0ebjTyfYrjZYkxT4ePIoEmrP6jefXcqf-uNvAfGSKzVgsVupJE5XHz9tYaCrp2sKCK3E6vn-wea-L-rLMlLyhKm17EIcm1irWyNa0imbJPJPh_/s1600/DSCN3259.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could they be any cuter??!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-4auPNk0Ww8S9rrjRfQ2-QDVDoMpU87kTIDzkHlxP2iJo8x5hJYJN41bteiFkxwedWHrlelK-nh13vqibB0C5TkIEYz4oo5i-ygzLjc0NAD_ztZ-SrKE3t6ZqFyX86JHDONakjPy-dc_/s1600/DSCN3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-4auPNk0Ww8S9rrjRfQ2-QDVDoMpU87kTIDzkHlxP2iJo8x5hJYJN41bteiFkxwedWHrlelK-nh13vqibB0C5TkIEYz4oo5i-ygzLjc0NAD_ztZ-SrKE3t6ZqFyX86JHDONakjPy-dc_/s1600/DSCN3252.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These girls are cute too but might appeal to a different demographic!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Afterwards, we drove up to Dambulla where the Golden Buddha is. I've seen him before and frankly he's not my favorite image but I hadn't been to the Temple Caves, so being the good hostess, I tried not to roll my eyes and go on. OMG I am so glad I did! It was fantastic! They are these caves on a hill above the Golden Buddha (yes, MORE stairs). They are loaded with various types of Buddha images and patterned walls. They aren't well lit because they are not a museum, but that just gives it some more meaning. It is truly a living, breathing place of contemplation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQTyM2sK6PvsaYnpaRPHGdll_QB-UD4wylGEubS4-uJCrRk57uMiJ7vcsYB_WvRH7RGsCC50zp2kQIvCRVka3RKy5BFIxRsEJ7iwrgQFDz9NK3EMXFfJK-rkJwfj4IcNTawHUbJ31b7oo/s1600/DSCN3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQTyM2sK6PvsaYnpaRPHGdll_QB-UD4wylGEubS4-uJCrRk57uMiJ7vcsYB_WvRH7RGsCC50zp2kQIvCRVka3RKy5BFIxRsEJ7iwrgQFDz9NK3EMXFfJK-rkJwfj4IcNTawHUbJ31b7oo/s1600/DSCN3299.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The next day we went out to the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage/Concentration Camp (depending on your view of course!). There were tonnes of Chinese tourists who were so excited to see the elephants that they were jumping over barriers and getting up close and personal with the Dumbos! </span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObikZFsCSNlCsLwpXXEkuYi43tQ810hOLdMoIWSwNAKnhzFSZQfUDWO2OqUHBp2XWsgDofPMDp6UlNJH8agheu9g4LXhp0ai17N7ebDxSfsHTaCWqgqsKqQxYCeYOugIqTpzZj6MkGey0/s1600/DSCN3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObikZFsCSNlCsLwpXXEkuYi43tQ810hOLdMoIWSwNAKnhzFSZQfUDWO2OqUHBp2XWsgDofPMDp6UlNJH8agheu9g4LXhp0ai17N7ebDxSfsHTaCWqgqsKqQxYCeYOugIqTpzZj6MkGey0/s1600/DSCN3364.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming through town to the river.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxT8nN2jh-zLyi_44n0x-puq7u-UW4_d60mBzNC_3ql2C0ZYpM81PMX6pfQD3zobb5SiaVBudwIGNwLqKu_a8VwmyRcIKUZhCRJASqI1ZzRaq6q8s0VDiAYYXLFKiiWYpV4WS5XEalA9O/s1600/DSCN3359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxT8nN2jh-zLyi_44n0x-puq7u-UW4_d60mBzNC_3ql2C0ZYpM81PMX6pfQD3zobb5SiaVBudwIGNwLqKu_a8VwmyRcIKUZhCRJASqI1ZzRaq6q8s0VDiAYYXLFKiiWYpV4WS5XEalA9O/s1600/DSCN3359.JPG" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tried to capture what they may have looked like in the wild.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC8zIw866kAWtO3dOYYJjyh5tLHIYFsWEU7KqHv5ljf8kRv9KJKrerwpuEGBjlbTX2X3V1G9k4XiDfJjBOQ3PvBXWuFRl1uINeEWSaGCmhEBXen6bKc8uHjEZctLb7kimnXaQTYLpD1uL/s1600/DSCN3376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC8zIw866kAWtO3dOYYJjyh5tLHIYFsWEU7KqHv5ljf8kRv9KJKrerwpuEGBjlbTX2X3V1G9k4XiDfJjBOQ3PvBXWuFRl1uINeEWSaGCmhEBXen6bKc8uHjEZctLb7kimnXaQTYLpD1uL/s1600/DSCN3376.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dgAQZKwE2H-0MQU87hACU4taCI6lrBLmnD0QHEsl3ZByRD-rvuKLNYR2mKJjb0tZa0pUnrc1hbdkee5ZjCyEbxD5MxtYY3mpQ-zWlBoPf9OQkNQTcjEK4c1AhL7E0QByjgSD4Z5ICHeB/s1600/DSCN3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dgAQZKwE2H-0MQU87hACU4taCI6lrBLmnD0QHEsl3ZByRD-rvuKLNYR2mKJjb0tZa0pUnrc1hbdkee5ZjCyEbxD5MxtYY3mpQ-zWlBoPf9OQkNQTcjEK4c1AhL7E0QByjgSD4Z5ICHeB/s1600/DSCN3381.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times, 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', Symbola, EmojiSymbols; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times, 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', Symbola, EmojiSymbols; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">However I think my inner old lady took over for our next stop. We went to the Botanic Garden at Peridenya and I loved it!! Argh! I am so my father's daughter!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQHDiszQ2p6uvEExJwo3OURsx9qE-b3dFSRT5Brq-qu7d_xSIbwH5R47xyX5Xt6kfmQIh5Je1Tqcme-ZRwq01uvhu8bkJOFQMO6FDRuRNS6BK9qpi7JT-UFKIyQnkAxi0fhayfryXKSAS/s1600/DSCN3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQHDiszQ2p6uvEExJwo3OURsx9qE-b3dFSRT5Brq-qu7d_xSIbwH5R47xyX5Xt6kfmQIh5Je1Tqcme-ZRwq01uvhu8bkJOFQMO6FDRuRNS6BK9qpi7JT-UFKIyQnkAxi0fhayfryXKSAS/s1600/DSCN3411.JPG" height="391" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous art shot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then caught the train back to Colombo the next day, after a fairly lazy morning and lunch at the Olde Empire Hotel. Their watermelon, lime and mint juices are too die for! C then left the next morning on her own for some beach time in Unawatuna. Plan was for me to join her on Wed aft in Galle and then drive back to Colombo Thursday evening. C very graciously treated us to a lovely night at the Fort Printers Hotel. Pretty chi-chi! So now I think that I have stayed in a whole range of accommodation in the Fort. Plus I have just about worked my way through all the ice cream flavours at Diary King! Yes, a dirty job...!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRiqznwEoA5LwCMCJXjSj9HBHnyU7AFfB9UzK6rm11VITMH7uhR6br2rSb-mNa8muKL2Z3jfHszaPndP6Yu93mW3BNID8P-p6NL6ZNqhXp5rt8npXQIKoY6lRTlvtRRJ9kU1gKz7piDnh/s1600/DSCN3386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRiqznwEoA5LwCMCJXjSj9HBHnyU7AFfB9UzK6rm11VITMH7uhR6br2rSb-mNa8muKL2Z3jfHszaPndP6Yu93mW3BNID8P-p6NL6ZNqhXp5rt8npXQIKoY6lRTlvtRRJ9kU1gKz7piDnh/s1600/DSCN3386.JPG" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anticipating breaky!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDxA7Yl2BmXdUuWiOPBWf042_XI9z1IXe6DKsYlbHkLkeE3dRgNKNChvYwU-pRbS88KoN4X2KdPCNEzozmStD7l-zqmm0ONQ8APw1ExwVoW8P8uvYjKfVZ0URAHfSq9nWyE8ZCqpkpmgf/s1600/DSCN3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDxA7Yl2BmXdUuWiOPBWf042_XI9z1IXe6DKsYlbHkLkeE3dRgNKNChvYwU-pRbS88KoN4X2KdPCNEzozmStD7l-zqmm0ONQ8APw1ExwVoW8P8uvYjKfVZ0URAHfSq9nWyE8ZCqpkpmgf/s1600/DSCN3417.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Encapsulates how I feel about the south coast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiZnk3VCkvn1qEZ5G9ggs5k4zKuvuuePQCfTkP4KWRXRELwbSAdjxdDBHNFd_sVsRy6orP7wPLTfMjgpkFUp-DZJB21Cy333YEw8duddGnHUk1-o1APmJJiV0wfjHn_oNNV2u08shyphenhyphenE2h/s1600/DSCN3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiZnk3VCkvn1qEZ5G9ggs5k4zKuvuuePQCfTkP4KWRXRELwbSAdjxdDBHNFd_sVsRy6orP7wPLTfMjgpkFUp-DZJB21Cy333YEw8duddGnHUk1-o1APmJJiV0wfjHn_oNNV2u08shyphenhyphenE2h/s1600/DSCN3422.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galle is always so welcoming!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmtAh_hlRdFbD0_35dTHcWjmGAIl_zSsBHWM0exea00SY40-Md9RqPoP-B7W8hqZYWomZCdm9PPWWTLN1ue6OtnZJDiawbABrhkNyz6qJ1M6uSrQ4_obdTTVgsvcmPu7hUhvK99HhN3Wv/s1600/DSCN3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmtAh_hlRdFbD0_35dTHcWjmGAIl_zSsBHWM0exea00SY40-Md9RqPoP-B7W8hqZYWomZCdm9PPWWTLN1ue6OtnZJDiawbABrhkNyz6qJ1M6uSrQ4_obdTTVgsvcmPu7hUhvK99HhN3Wv/s1600/DSCN3444.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, that's not a worm but a window hook in front of his head.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We left early afternoon after gorging on curry and coconut flan. We decided to drive up the old coast highway to Hikkaduwa. I am so glad we did! We stopped in Hikka and went to the beach. Of course neither of us had thought to put our bathing suits on in Galle so the locals were entertained/horrified by 2 women trying to struggle into bathing suits in a car. My big concern was not that I'd flash the locals but that I'd leave an indelible bum print on the driver's seat! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ocean was magnificent! There were gentle waves and nary a rock on the bottom. For so long, I have needed the ocean to cleanse my spirit and this went a looong way! Our drive back was pretty mellow and uneventful (thank goodness!). So we spent the last day being ladies who lunched and then went for foot rubs and then, just like that, she was gone! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41339.Ogden_Nash" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: 10px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Ogden Nash" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1225682775p2/41339.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px 5px 10px 0px;">
<h1 class="quoteText" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
* “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.”</h1>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">―</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41339.Ogden_Nash" style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Ogden Nash</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1693949" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Hard Lines</a></i> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-58780713549549382832014-10-02T03:53:00.000-07:002014-10-02T03:53:06.764-07:00Weird...but good (isn't that always the way?!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8UeH3KuOid8JjcJAtei4knaGk3Cz2xlDf6OpjUSGEjO1WiBTwOlDIm3t8AR5GCkvpTaRFwz5dqIiVCpKvS73dwG8AqmPbSTi2S4ITW9Hfqx2zJ2BQENHTLBP8ZNWArAXGaABW_NQkJhq/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8UeH3KuOid8JjcJAtei4knaGk3Cz2xlDf6OpjUSGEjO1WiBTwOlDIm3t8AR5GCkvpTaRFwz5dqIiVCpKvS73dwG8AqmPbSTi2S4ITW9Hfqx2zJ2BQENHTLBP8ZNWArAXGaABW_NQkJhq/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kind of had a strange experience the other day. G and I were invited to dinner with this super rich Sri Lankan gentlemen. What with G's government job, I'm always a wee bit suspicious of unsolicited invites by host nationals. I mean, I understand them seeking us out for my sparkling smile and witty repartee but this guy could buy his way into anything, why us? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I decided not to pee my pants about it and gorged myself on his smuggled prosciutto ham. There was a cheese plate with gooey, runny, smelly, mottled fromages, I couldn't even politely take any. I guess I just don't get cheese, unless it is wrapped in individual servings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the evening progressed he mentioned that he did yoga and had an instructor and would I like to go with him later this week, "yeah sure...what the hay?" I didn't think he meant it. Au contraire mon frere, I find myself Tuesday after work outside his gates waiting to go to yoga. It all seemed very surreal and I amused myself with kidnapping scenarios (too much "Homeland") as we drove into the outer regions of the city. Once there, my host decided not to do the class but to watch...eeeoooowww. It felt a little pervy but I figured that I was just flattering myself and turned my attention over to the teacher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this guy is an Iyengar-trained instructor which means that the terrors of Abu Ghraib were a walk in the park! (Too soon?) I was hamstrung, hung from the ceiling, twisted this way and that. Know what? I LOVED IT!! I could not believe how great it was and I was grinning like an idiot the entire time. What does this say about me? Yikes!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74RdvTSh0VVHFSFWFfR90CIfNokcuSnH3aBAGVaEaDQ2JqO5JhwtK0l1O_G9DXeeu6RAucSeG-oiDu_DtG-F-RRZP2m8yhm5JT4dlQFfxdws5IjBptI2oZm55luk6S2zljwJnnexfy_EV/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74RdvTSh0VVHFSFWFfR90CIfNokcuSnH3aBAGVaEaDQ2JqO5JhwtK0l1O_G9DXeeu6RAucSeG-oiDu_DtG-F-RRZP2m8yhm5JT4dlQFfxdws5IjBptI2oZm55luk6S2zljwJnnexfy_EV/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could someone so sweet-looking invent such torture?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now that Guru is in Italy this week, I'll have to live on the memories 'til next Saturday when I go to his Yoga Institute. Wish me luck!</span><br /><br /><br />Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-35486615208009445142014-09-27T21:32:00.003-07:002014-09-27T21:32:48.655-07:00The Little Market<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What a blast I had yesterday. I haven't felt that great in awhile! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Woke up with a few things to do on my "critter cans" but overall I was ready to go and felt pretty happy with my output. The only reality check I had, was going out to the elevator and finding it not working. Yikes, we live on the 23rd floor and I had a fair amount of stuff to hump down (believe me I wasn't calling it "stuff" at that particular moment!) Stressed me out a bit but thankfully the service elevator was okay, so down I went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The venue was really cute and just the right space. Naturally I got the crappiest table but fortunately we were able to move it to the shade! There were 10 vendors and a really nice selection of items. The jewelry tables were guaranteed to sell out. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFsil1X_8qy-RDXcKIZjZDGG1vUs5rPsUxgVTxKhP80wyifdC3W8PF5neXln5vSgMPqUGsFdpuJqt7WbLTdgdWPUvhbiI9HuvowWVVsFlkn-AnqiOWiq6t_Vnajp2i0CoiydcEsclBk1h/s1600/DSCN3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFsil1X_8qy-RDXcKIZjZDGG1vUs5rPsUxgVTxKhP80wyifdC3W8PF5neXln5vSgMPqUGsFdpuJqt7WbLTdgdWPUvhbiI9HuvowWVVsFlkn-AnqiOWiq6t_Vnajp2i0CoiydcEsclBk1h/s1600/DSCN3052.JPG" height="370" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made in the shade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction to all my stuff. My table looked really nice and I think the "merchandising" was good too. I kept it simple and informative. However people still pulled photos out of the packages even though I had the sets' contents displayed...sigh. The reuseable grocery bags were a big seller, then my cards, the critter cans and then the placemats. The friggin' eyebags didn't budge although there was interest. Some lady from Dubai swooped in and wanted to order 10, another time though..way to crush my hopes! I think I recouped 2/3 of my outlay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The best part was that I had girded my loins not to know anyone and have to make SMALL TALK..argh! But no! I knew tonnes of people and had great chinwags with people. I was so chuffed! It was relaxed, it was easy, and it was fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In fact, I was so full of goodwill that I agreed to do a table for the American's bazaar in November. In the bright light of day I wonder how smart that was! But I do have some ideas...</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-83050380393968024032014-09-16T07:45:00.000-07:002014-09-16T07:45:27.205-07:00"Don't drink and glue gun..."<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm trying to take advantage of the free time I have left before I'm "swamped" at the yoga studio job. Actually what happened was this lady from school (who put together the first table sale I did) asked me if I'd like to do another sale. "Why the heck not?", I thought to myself. You see I was full of the leftover enthusiasm for things that R left behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YL8XkpqdsukTd8pAQM7Y8MPJeaTCqMh3MWYPss9jOQ9qzHa_YO_gXfc1hcd4aO002_LxkdlNf1UZD562zfAe3bu3ie5sZtB5yQuFDzDRCM1t7N-KJVJwk_yI9mMivha8rQ9pvLkiG_Pu/s1600/PosterStreetMarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YL8XkpqdsukTd8pAQM7Y8MPJeaTCqMh3MWYPss9jOQ9qzHa_YO_gXfc1hcd4aO002_LxkdlNf1UZD562zfAe3bu3ie5sZtB5yQuFDzDRCM1t7N-KJVJwk_yI9mMivha8rQ9pvLkiG_Pu/s1600/PosterStreetMarket.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been painting, poking, pressing, pulling and paying for the stuff to make...um...more stuff! I've decided to branch out from yoga goodies into other schmutz. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqJvMBtVJ7s7dY9aJT1ihQjy43Gp5ODHRMdLOvGjWHnqH7n7CJtvPFzOoVyhAHyMb2EEr0j59cHoTXKrePIjM2vQM9ZjGrBr1x78MrX1tZNlugpQfIj88fylAnI5Gi_QjEneIV1_b946u/s1600/DSCN0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqJvMBtVJ7s7dY9aJT1ihQjy43Gp5ODHRMdLOvGjWHnqH7n7CJtvPFzOoVyhAHyMb2EEr0j59cHoTXKrePIjM2vQM9ZjGrBr1x78MrX1tZNlugpQfIj88fylAnI5Gi_QjEneIV1_b946u/s1600/DSCN0736.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I can't decision on one single product, I've decided to go with many. Hence, "misc."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's the name of my booth. I lurve the pink colour, it's quite sexy! I got cards made as well. Now I only have 198 cards to get rid of! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipokQ2PjGxblZXEqE8kTcHu-hRdQjxzjR7niDeFTVS3THWwGsyn_pf4o5pJiq_K_k1d55kgfc-CEr_XSdE4AdvRyIGaZwCRa5r6ji_ra28o-HljLI5p2aRE9U9NDGfhv-aoIKdoraBSYv9/s1600/DSCN0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipokQ2PjGxblZXEqE8kTcHu-hRdQjxzjR7niDeFTVS3THWwGsyn_pf4o5pJiq_K_k1d55kgfc-CEr_XSdE4AdvRyIGaZwCRa5r6ji_ra28o-HljLI5p2aRE9U9NDGfhv-aoIKdoraBSYv9/s1600/DSCN0694.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are tins for storing whateva!. Plus you can write with chalk on them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These have been problematic from the git go. The lids are quite tight when fully pressed down which is good if you want to store food stuffs but my intent is that they be used for cotton buds, etc..</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwotPNO0U5B86wOiKghMQi7AaH8yZ8ycL7xGjpXW28nVSUKpqGQvdzyB464cQi5g63osprMsHjD9gYfgg70qTmEMsDkHpeJFRRh7iddIwuMyLCFM2d3n5WSUQQzvjoz_donTVm17moxxe/s1600/DSCN0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwotPNO0U5B86wOiKghMQi7AaH8yZ8ycL7xGjpXW28nVSUKpqGQvdzyB464cQi5g63osprMsHjD9gYfgg70qTmEMsDkHpeJFRRh7iddIwuMyLCFM2d3n5WSUQQzvjoz_donTVm17moxxe/s1600/DSCN0741.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also made a bunch of my photos into card sets.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My cards actually blew my socks off! I was a bit bummed while doing them because I didn't realize that the size of the photo definitely does have an impact on what is available for the card's space. So they are not exactly as I envisioned them but they are pretty durn close! It also didn't help that the artist was less than thrilled to be doing my stuff. I think that they all had bigger projects on the go and that I may have jumped the queue. She wanted me to just send my stuff via email but I wanted to see what was going to be printed. Though Anim8 is good, lots of people I know have had spelling errors, etc., from their website designer.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85dsTuBuVN0F77qUxBvdn16_u82eD8pTjtIP6MDRPfSVSosoYYNtgcGJRgq1XdvUcGmSCpHFFjVFXuOqkzhR3GSDMAWbgB0oH4nKBwugibpAvpjcT1BpXVWalNYOUGPN631Rbx1a-DwgD/s1600/DSCN0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85dsTuBuVN0F77qUxBvdn16_u82eD8pTjtIP6MDRPfSVSosoYYNtgcGJRgq1XdvUcGmSCpHFFjVFXuOqkzhR3GSDMAWbgB0oH4nKBwugibpAvpjcT1BpXVWalNYOUGPN631Rbx1a-DwgD/s1600/DSCN0700.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reuseable fruit and veggie bags.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">I have to admit that this is definitely not an original idea but they have been on my mind since Seattle. The genesis was further hastened by the fact that we are drowning in shitty little plastic bags from Keel's.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdtEZspirBPb-4qH6AfJpVoWLwStdpjAFJmFaCgdCBHUE92nS7-os2u1TceivXhG8_f6DQ_u-Q0wVblARwmJ0m1J82SFvFK81whJlR-6Vc6EUF8yZhsu2CsjQKXNCOR5BvTu9aa0qeIzR/s1600/DSCN0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdtEZspirBPb-4qH6AfJpVoWLwStdpjAFJmFaCgdCBHUE92nS7-os2u1TceivXhG8_f6DQ_u-Q0wVblARwmJ0m1J82SFvFK81whJlR-6Vc6EUF8yZhsu2CsjQKXNCOR5BvTu9aa0qeIzR/s1600/DSCN0691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See...?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that these are kind of fun. Originally I was going to use them for our dinner party next month, but then I thought perhaps others might like them. So below are the "works in progress". I made the block, painted it with acrylic and then stamped it on the burlap. They are not designed to last for ever but they are quite striking.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFTbAp73PeuKeVi4iD8a0TIrQnziBpUCfo50cYOhWQgJOgiGM3rrXbDljnFMjAq5xzlrdBnGq24EgcsVa2mW5kEbFo9X6FFwl9J14CUDPukD2bxD7wfG-oCpueK6-mnSHv18H2cz5Nj1R/s1600/DSCN0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFTbAp73PeuKeVi4iD8a0TIrQnziBpUCfo50cYOhWQgJOgiGM3rrXbDljnFMjAq5xzlrdBnGq24EgcsVa2mW5kEbFo9X6FFwl9J14CUDPukD2bxD7wfG-oCpueK6-mnSHv18H2cz5Nj1R/s1600/DSCN0738.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand blocked placements.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, are the eye bags. I have a whole bunch(sigh!) leftover from the pola/market. I still like the yoga stuff but there isn't the market here for it. Once again I find myself ahead of the curve! Story of my life.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyKVKqMClHXwnjW7Evx9i4HzpHBTKUDfoGCv5Q5_2GvnWyTgqD215oLQkirU9tltsn8_MbZaj1XoFh-LtZZV_N08iU6Gets1laBG3Pt0i1rUwnjhWfdClAcJZas-hYQaT5HN7vZfAPSg7/s1600/SAM_2862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyKVKqMClHXwnjW7Evx9i4HzpHBTKUDfoGCv5Q5_2GvnWyTgqD215oLQkirU9tltsn8_MbZaj1XoFh-LtZZV_N08iU6Gets1laBG3Pt0i1rUwnjhWfdClAcJZas-hYQaT5HN7vZfAPSg7/s1600/SAM_2862.JPG" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but not least, the eye bags. Ta dah!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-72246083635088977652014-09-07T22:22:00.001-07:002014-09-07T22:22:49.761-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might want to pour yourself a second cuppa and settle in. This is going to be a long post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highlight is the visit of R to Colombo. I managed to embarass her at the airport and we've had fun ever since! A little background, R lived with us in Korea many years ago and that's where we cemented our friendship. I've always told G that if we bust up, I get custody of R!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintFFSQQriHT2S8ZAt6xdBvsKoVeH4_it9IdtvmbNwvixx9mbo8oibb19ffzdDHNIYfOU9Y_yRXsP7b7zHzPR_xHRRNC7S6-iRlfVWE6yT8Cq7QbkzFZNyr7e5UP0_gtZp4yl_evOq8bk3/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintFFSQQriHT2S8ZAt6xdBvsKoVeH4_it9IdtvmbNwvixx9mbo8oibb19ffzdDHNIYfOU9Y_yRXsP7b7zHzPR_xHRRNC7S6-iRlfVWE6yT8Cq7QbkzFZNyr7e5UP0_gtZp4yl_evOq8bk3/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From our apt. RJP photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best things about R are her spirit of adventure and humour. She ea</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gerly plunged into the depths of Slave Island. It was great to have someone to shoot with and it made it the most enchanting experience yet. We had a freedom and welcome that I don't think anyone else could've. People came out to speak with us and show us their homes. R furthered the sense of connection by using the playback on her camera for people to see. It was just that extra little touch and her natural ease that made it so much fun. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIwkCyFGhZ2B-AiBFinrZ16hcSjwyEJ7WNiiF22oSzCdvtUDWMHe4znvQ8N9gKTbjKsJvl-hmO2IAj7rI8sIArzjBUd6BvF7PqMvKDc1lFirwoBokDer3Qp0E7_y0KPFG9SXwmRYxbW30/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIwkCyFGhZ2B-AiBFinrZ16hcSjwyEJ7WNiiF22oSzCdvtUDWMHe4znvQ8N9gKTbjKsJvl-hmO2IAj7rI8sIArzjBUd6BvF7PqMvKDc1lFirwoBokDer3Qp0E7_y0KPFG9SXwmRYxbW30/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RJP photo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended up absolutely gobsmacked when this one lady lead us into her house. It was as neat as a pin. We met her husband and they graciously offered us some of the chocolate her son had sent from Dubai. It was a sorry sight all melted, but the gesture was beautiful. It is always those with the least who give the most! The whole day was a high like I have never had! We resolved to come back with prints. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that, we hopped the train down to Galle. We eventually got seats and R was surrounded by a group of police who were on their way to a wedding down south. They were chatting her up and taking snaps. Gawd knows where those will end up! Great fun though. Of course, Galle never fails to impress and delight. We stayed at Mama's and when the rains came ("What???! It never rains in Galle") we hung out the windows like middle aged strumpets solicting clients! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cxSUAXPcjTSztnWmJZkRyqjUV1l0vcycijovuzWzfpMLPaBFxlDXQ-Mt6CFHLHOM_4UTxW1LlwiyCh-upQYd1zy823N3OdicQfutK7M6Y79teYDCHJIeJFLGSe3iDdk693JC7bYdjwtY/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cxSUAXPcjTSztnWmJZkRyqjUV1l0vcycijovuzWzfpMLPaBFxlDXQ-Mt6CFHLHOM_4UTxW1LlwiyCh-upQYd1zy823N3OdicQfutK7M6Y79teYDCHJIeJFLGSe3iDdk693JC7bYdjwtY/s1600/DSC_0387.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have to tatt everyday or I'll go crazy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YH1qM_LRF8F4i42GFQXV9cfybnpNCTG-IxXOUQfAwLzj1M3QJKj1GJ8Ghql3vZ975CKfVMf5nA3XERD6OVcjkcKD1nZfgyxjHBeATe6qVh4-KQ0fXhDl_7SuVq8VfjO6AoZbfLgxDrDc/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YH1qM_LRF8F4i42GFQXV9cfybnpNCTG-IxXOUQfAwLzj1M3QJKj1GJ8Ghql3vZ975CKfVMf5nA3XERD6OVcjkcKD1nZfgyxjHBeATe6qVh4-KQ0fXhDl_7SuVq8VfjO6AoZbfLgxDrDc/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evening stroll along the rampart. RJP photo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless</span>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we ventured forth into the rain and hung out in cafes and chatted. We ate very well (go to The Heritage Cafe for their Sri Lanakan food!!) and R ended the evening by curling up with a little light reading that we had found in the room, "Pschyosexual Infantalism". Beats Tom Robbins all to hell for travel books!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKk8crb1z_VVvWd0_d7JDBliuUM_54uWJ7kTtvGXpNTQNsn9n0-KJ2X8uPkIo_z3qMlYLyp6OBRi8BrkmSYNG-3DTE8vaebaF0n2ReB2dliQyuESq7jjSM34f9LRXUF0Lt749TfuXRLq9/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKk8crb1z_VVvWd0_d7JDBliuUM_54uWJ7kTtvGXpNTQNsn9n0-KJ2X8uPkIo_z3qMlYLyp6OBRi8BrkmSYNG-3DTE8vaebaF0n2ReB2dliQyuESq7jjSM34f9LRXUF0Lt749TfuXRLq9/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The famous fishermen along Welligama Beach. RJP photo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G came down on Sunday and whisked us away to Welligama. We were so lucky that this day had a whack of pole fishermen out and about. Of course, they had handlers and it cost 120 SLR for these shots, but well worth it I say! We ended up at a 2 level shack where we had lunch overlooking the sea. Post fried rice, we frolicked in the waves before heading home. It was nigh on perfect!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day back in Colombo we got the pictures developed and returned to Slave Island. That was fun as we had to try and locate people. Everyone wanted to see the photos and have a good laugh at their neighbour's expense! I felt that it was very important that we do that because they gave us so much more<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2VBQw-Q2IHmUSoj1nCJMyqSP4IhGy8sAsh4BGap4DqmKGVNct9xinWOJjiu-iuqOWyMrSpali6d99_xfvrPTScbQEaiZoQ0H6cfbFD8oKHeQBIhKJ-F45DK82VEQ-7H0FJRRGeRKXM3q/s1600/DSC_0561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2VBQw-Q2IHmUSoj1nCJMyqSP4IhGy8sAsh4BGap4DqmKGVNct9xinWOJjiu-iuqOWyMrSpali6d99_xfvrPTScbQEaiZoQ0H6cfbFD8oKHeQBIhKJ-F45DK82VEQ-7H0FJRRGeRKXM3q/s1600/DSC_0561.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TukTuk Mechanic. RJP Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tuktuk mechanic is memmorable for me as he was very gentle and quickly took his photo inside so it wouldn't get grubby. His face is a tale of his life's struggles. Little things do mean a lot. One muslim lady who accompanied us on our search said as much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqPy2gQUS7O3yTW2250Y7yMVv2XKTR48pW3mAtkKYbBkfmS_qCFRbzAlY07uicgQ6wirO7C_eTaPQXBLhMcaSMeBzVwWEt4RO_0g1bCW549g05G8gJWx1vFD36y2FhgF3uc5n7Htuv0Uv/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqPy2gQUS7O3yTW2250Y7yMVv2XKTR48pW3mAtkKYbBkfmS_qCFRbzAlY07uicgQ6wirO7C_eTaPQXBLhMcaSMeBzVwWEt4RO_0g1bCW549g05G8gJWx1vFD36y2FhgF3uc5n7Htuv0Uv/s1600/DSC_0624.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hangin' out the Expo Car. RJP photo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next stop was Kandy. After considerable confusion and stress we managed to get on the Expo car up to Kandy. It was well worth the 1100SLR (all the trains have been worth the price!) We got into Kandy and up to the Sharon Inn where the rather, quirky owner seemed to take a liking to us and we were soon booked for dinner, a driver, and train tickets. So we went and strolled around Kandy. I dragged R to all the places I like to go...old style fabric shops and we managed to buy the last bit of the "Marimekko" poppy print. Then off to a few more shops then home. After a nap we climbed up to the road behind the Sharon where I had gone with S. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaesJJFnZsV5o9BpkGcr3gYlcDY_dOFMQ78Zk48evwbpilfKSNBKIf_mGobyqw3yeXpNwzoTDNLIorMI6RrWP4QxjLkPY68MuBgCrSPQW4dqx6ha3wXA2ymolOxIEnz93Sb4dTar1VuiXA/s1600/DSCN0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaesJJFnZsV5o9BpkGcr3gYlcDY_dOFMQ78Zk48evwbpilfKSNBKIf_mGobyqw3yeXpNwzoTDNLIorMI6RrWP4QxjLkPY68MuBgCrSPQW4dqx6ha3wXA2ymolOxIEnz93Sb4dTar1VuiXA/s1600/DSCN0319.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Outside of Helga's Folly.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went further along and much to my surprise and delight found "Helga's Folly". I've been looking to go here forever! I had read about it in the Lonely Planet (yes, I'm that old that I use Lonely Planet) and in a biography of Isabella Blow who had married into the family. It's quite magical but the entry price to photograph the place is a bit steep. Luckily, the clerk was bored and let us wander around the grounds. It was his work on the outside of the buildings and walls so we exclaimed loudly about how good it was!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day we planned to go up to Polonnaruwa and then Minneriya. It's the site of these ancient standing Buddhas, among other ruins. Minneriya is where the elephants gather in Aug/Sept. It was a pretty ambitious routing to be sure. The distances aren't long but travel takes a lot longer. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw0-JjI0Ja8t3kiip_ye66RP7TEzjAYj772_PUdOWWqToE4fT25q0P1bXLyF8m9b8KO8u0xz9sVOGsK-iXqDf75Kl0N9z0knGeI2hsRa4GL3MNvxw_snQFHT8BxfJOf0BOEhelF4bvaYo/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw0-JjI0Ja8t3kiip_ye66RP7TEzjAYj772_PUdOWWqToE4fT25q0P1bXLyF8m9b8KO8u0xz9sVOGsK-iXqDf75Kl0N9z0knGeI2hsRa4GL3MNvxw_snQFHT8BxfJOf0BOEhelF4bvaYo/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm with Stupa!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWNoaE3OtHb7O4Fs7zgRsAKUxX1GekViwnkeQkf1J_GX_KEGOFpYJhuAD4GnDYvi0hO3DaxN6Ca5E3gIHaggPxYFPONEH8zdVqeHPCn569E2pGFnqsojoURzpQdq_j7iGQJ7Qb3M-owQA/s1600/DSCN0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWNoaE3OtHb7O4Fs7zgRsAKUxX1GekViwnkeQkf1J_GX_KEGOFpYJhuAD4GnDYvi0hO3DaxN6Ca5E3gIHaggPxYFPONEH8zdVqeHPCn569E2pGFnqsojoURzpQdq_j7iGQJ7Qb3M-owQA/s1600/DSCN0367.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even if it didn't work, he was pretty nice!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stopped at a spice garden along the way and R was so impressed with it she decided to have a consult with the "Nature Power" doctor. That's what it is called here to distinguish itself from Ayurvedic medicine. It was very cool and I vaccilated between thinking "snake oil" and "this is the way to go" . However R's experience was quite positive and she picked up some "meds".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got up to Polonnaruwa sometime after lunch and it was smokin' hot, almost sickeningly so. R was definitely not on top of her game but she's a trooper. Most of the ruins are just that and we kept jonesing for the Buddhas. The large, all brick chedi we saw before getting to the Buddhas was really nice but we'd pissed away so much time on other ruins that we just zoomed through it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-vZiRZHxDG4SoJW1bgiaq7jYsQXIBz9UqY73dFH6uj9CY7vsLweE4didfGlZEG5YY2LZciB-Bk5FuSGqg4Qf79Z4LIKJRB8b3wee1uZSULanNdazHS1adyfBEZ84O6wOt2IH80WGWRF/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C-vZiRZHxDG4SoJW1bgiaq7jYsQXIBz9UqY73dFH6uj9CY7vsLweE4didfGlZEG5YY2LZciB-Bk5FuSGqg4Qf79Z4LIKJRB8b3wee1uZSULanNdazHS1adyfBEZ84O6wOt2IH80WGWRF/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly was the Buddhas. They were well worth the wait. We could've stayed there a lot longer too. It's been kind of cool seeing these Sri Lankan sights in old Duran Duran videos and then actually getting to go there. "Simon LeBon, wherefore art thou?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately due to our late start and the incompetence of our driver we missed getting to Minneriya on time.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise as R had not been feeling 100%. She conked out on the way back to Kandy and slept the whole night. I kept holding a mirror under her nose just to make sure! It was an unfortunate mistake and I would recommend that one be more insistent on what they want to see and have some sort of a schedule to stick to. The drivers are always trying to get you to see stuff off the beaten path and thereby grease the palms of their friends. We let the Sharon Inn owner know that we weren't happy. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddkeMPVRYuICTzj1b1KIzKG5KU2bCLzWFdzgmr3dSInIkDXufZXIulBRsxroLoS_9I_ytI4ZwFih41YfERENxobffC8E8DgdO8HLbv0JhsOBfPTZh-HVGuHmeRkLZwQi1FCGV_H73iuyV/s1600/DSCN0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddkeMPVRYuICTzj1b1KIzKG5KU2bCLzWFdzgmr3dSInIkDXufZXIulBRsxroLoS_9I_ytI4ZwFih41YfERENxobffC8E8DgdO8HLbv0JhsOBfPTZh-HVGuHmeRkLZwQi1FCGV_H73iuyV/s1600/DSCN0462.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zen Dawg</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next morning was the trip to Nuwara Eliya. Of course it was raining (no need for a rain coat it never rains in Nuwara Eliya! Sheesh...think I'd learn!) Along the way we stopped at the largest reclining Buddha in Asia. The temple seemed to be run by boys aged 5-11. They had a great dog that very Zen and just hung over the balcony taking us in! The little kids crowded around us asking for "Buble, buble" .... we had no idea. The singer?! Until we figured out it was bubblegum they wanted! Cheeky monkeys they were! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg3zkqK6bJexfobOyLpD2vsu2sosWxDuXy3VnbtBuvRZ09IFudemiPQuc-Xd0yrLVawzUVforhLS__-1KMXVcLuCFHijQ5YvemvLJ6sWaC2H74SR8k3B-AaSIqlEK96TwRA-CMpJ2ezg7/s1600/DSCN0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtg3zkqK6bJexfobOyLpD2vsu2sosWxDuXy3VnbtBuvRZ09IFudemiPQuc-Xd0yrLVawzUVforhLS__-1KMXVcLuCFHijQ5YvemvLJ6sWaC2H74SR8k3B-AaSIqlEK96TwRA-CMpJ2ezg7/s1600/DSCN0472.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely, misty day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZDfp8Rgz7Ux6zIQd9d6V8RT14-afux4Fbz_uRn6c4IcI2J7PbYt8SgrALU4CR9Xr7OfM68ha6RMhKAhfdeuPiSXsYybAh3tt0MN0_6-6-9WcernDYW8UjDVpElO1lw-o0cwnk-nC1ZXU/s1600/DSCN0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZDfp8Rgz7Ux6zIQd9d6V8RT14-afux4Fbz_uRn6c4IcI2J7PbYt8SgrALU4CR9Xr7OfM68ha6RMhKAhfdeuPiSXsYybAh3tt0MN0_6-6-9WcernDYW8UjDVpElO1lw-o0cwnk-nC1ZXU/s1600/DSCN0478.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate monkeys.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most the view was covered in mist but there were still glimpses of the hills and the occasional tea picker. We seemed to stop at every single waterfall along the way! I was so sick of them that for the last one I stayed in the car only to have a troupe of monkeys jump on the car and peer in at me! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BJnh2fos51OvvbUrbcERCHY8AZWxSiWLnM6OXkdc0STwgtMh89y0xf4zlr2KO4UjhwrAIdyvDrOREAaXijsgqmB_e-AzKC6L-2F46h-5kQZrWR_8hM8pvkzSbnj_RaEz8KRzN1POkRy6/s1600/DSCN0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BJnh2fos51OvvbUrbcERCHY8AZWxSiWLnM6OXkdc0STwgtMh89y0xf4zlr2KO4UjhwrAIdyvDrOREAaXijsgqmB_e-AzKC6L-2F46h-5kQZrWR_8hM8pvkzSbnj_RaEz8KRzN1POkRy6/s1600/DSCN0504.JPG" height="320" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A "WTF?" moment for the locals?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5QCe8mToLOoZ2aIGFzdvfdj13abBD4wPZCRoAcR2j15rywXRFdxtAK4_G_j9Vr2LqK9oVQkgd1s0zUUijsAoL7Da9ig_d0VHrSAdHB4fKfwmqYJVfUI8_BaKlYTnZthakh7I4coTg1EY/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5QCe8mToLOoZ2aIGFzdvfdj13abBD4wPZCRoAcR2j15rywXRFdxtAK4_G_j9Vr2LqK9oVQkgd1s0zUUijsAoL7Da9ig_d0VHrSAdHB4fKfwmqYJVfUI8_BaKlYTnZthakh7I4coTg1EY/s1600/DSCN0515.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bucket list?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time we arrived in Nuwara Eliya it was cold and pissing down buckets of rain. First order was to purchase your classic "Traveling Vermin" brand rain ponchos. Thank God we did. They did add a modicum of protection but it was still chilly! The 320 SLR "Hello Kitty" polar fleece pants started to look pretty good. The town is very different from Kandy. It is a real working town and the majority are Tamil. We managed to get some good shots. The market there is small but very lively. We stayed at the Glendower Hotel as G and I did last time and again, it was lovely. This time however, we got a renovated toilet and were quite comfortable. R marveled at all the flowers in the garden as they were almost identical to those she'd plant in Canada! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being in Nuwara Eliya you <u>have to</u> go to the Grand Indian to eat but they changed it to a buffet and R's stomach was still iffy so we went into the Grand Hotel instead. I think we landed at Fawlty Towers! Our waiter was quite entertaining as he was very cranky and a bit put out that we were there! But the other staff made up for that when R had a big struggle with trying to get her rain poncho on and a very cute staffer stepped in to help!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHPlfNkPzR46yhHa3DM52H5PnHkzcYVCXFjJ9T5wT9oq1nNrSAxzrHXIYqyYaIaGea0I6wTo6lB5-3ITIcJ-JYrWU3AKlgG46EBx9h42dEatEdT2bl92uRaQy6H7uzdpaCT1shfoVkwO8/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHPlfNkPzR46yhHa3DM52H5PnHkzcYVCXFjJ9T5wT9oq1nNrSAxzrHXIYqyYaIaGea0I6wTo6lB5-3ITIcJ-JYrWU3AKlgG46EBx9h42dEatEdT2bl92uRaQy6H7uzdpaCT1shfoVkwO8/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nanuoya Station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpsPmhVD9ftAg63tmDnsVcvVaKF23amUbd4_Farogr7Zq_QXzPoOC1abDt8T1yB3zHKrn_lCGVLe90uC2QzC7_55pXe4HWCMweVHy86sROipyBLZH55gtDiKtWRsawpA1y-NdMLLbEO4x/s1600/DSCN0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpsPmhVD9ftAg63tmDnsVcvVaKF23amUbd4_Farogr7Zq_QXzPoOC1abDt8T1yB3zHKrn_lCGVLe90uC2QzC7_55pXe4HWCMweVHy86sROipyBLZH55gtDiKtWRsawpA1y-NdMLLbEO4x/s1600/DSCN0535.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again, hangin' out a Sri Lankan train.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next morning our driver arrived. He was great and I will make an effort to get his name out there for people. We drove to Nanuoya for the train. It's on the Hatton road and it's almost done. It's completely opposite to what G and I experienced in Jan. It will be really nice to drive. The station was chockablock with foreigners, some going up to the Knuckles to hike, others back to Kandy or Colombo. We had booked second class and it was pretty nice! A new car, open windows, 2 toilets, no a/c and no non-stop Disney movies! If I were recommend any rail trip in Si Lanka, this would be it. One of the most spectacular train rides ever. You are high in the tea hills coming down through the lower elevations to sea level in Colombo. It's verdant, beyond belief. The vistas stunning. I got to ride out the side again and R was great about buying whatever the vendors had to sell. OMG! BUY THE HOT FRIED PEANUTS WITH CURRY LEAVES!! Sorry to yell but they are awesome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found out that our ticket was through to Colombo so we stayed on and arrived about 4:30 pm. Not bad, about 6 hours...stress-free and for 600 SLR each. That night we took R to Min Han our hole-in-the-wall Chinese beanery for dinner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday was pretty lowkey but Tuesday we went out to Negombo to the Fish Market. That town gets more interesting each time I drive through. (There are a few tinker shops I'd like to go to so I guess I do give a tinker's damn! I crack myself up.)</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKShwLgjjYjSBYGBWR5WYtGBpIac6hNxIcaZ06WDkIPswFqnSJPP1NFG26uNfOm9-HLcf4utyHuYkZD2l_poaQIwaht7k_jZrpQXgE8a8DuJoVvelLg0YWLDThNQci0WA6BL9JODMB5hT/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKShwLgjjYjSBYGBWR5WYtGBpIac6hNxIcaZ06WDkIPswFqnSJPP1NFG26uNfOm9-HLcf4utyHuYkZD2l_poaQIwaht7k_jZrpQXgE8a8DuJoVvelLg0YWLDThNQci0WA6BL9JODMB5hT/s1600/DSCN0571.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fish monger</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMV695KMutTibry9Zl5-jWgKJyX4G4HaU5jYLNf23tR_W4ZrkzdWGSOjXaWn3_ObZWFEZVJWGYk6kawVQFKsjF4khCkykGVc6Sd54R_PN9wnK59j6yK1quXvQPOUts3q0xKONQSYD37lc/s1600/DSCN0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMV695KMutTibry9Zl5-jWgKJyX4G4HaU5jYLNf23tR_W4ZrkzdWGSOjXaWn3_ObZWFEZVJWGYk6kawVQFKsjF4khCkykGVc6Sd54R_PN9wnK59j6yK1quXvQPOUts3q0xKONQSYD37lc/s1600/DSCN0603.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time I took her into the wet market and it was quite a sight. No one there was there to pose for pictures they were working and selling and buying. A different feel but not unfriendly. The light is very strong and hard to get balanced photos of. The fishermen were very proud of their catch and the banter lively. Being from the prairies I have no idea what all these critters are. But the wealth the ocean provides boggles my mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could've stayed for hours shooting faces. We moved over to the drying area and then up to the beach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlqwH-sXBYAKqoSH3v7zPcbXi0Js8o7BBlRwiq8n49Wtwi6sIVKlj4yESpQPdkCjER0pgYjgCN5_sg_2g-RirwMJW5C22zrD4w6u3aO271iOw-cLtyrjBbElyq6JmKbhuO4ZdeBGX1FV_/s1600/DSCN0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlqwH-sXBYAKqoSH3v7zPcbXi0Js8o7BBlRwiq8n49Wtwi6sIVKlj4yESpQPdkCjER0pgYjgCN5_sg_2g-RirwMJW5C22zrD4w6u3aO271iOw-cLtyrjBbElyq6JmKbhuO4ZdeBGX1FV_/s1600/DSCN0617.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YGvKyZ_33ZGUHehPoxnslDwuWjtc2XF9A6rRW6WWMPJIhSnfZo6QQp34m7l86E8jlzNJujj2uWGskoIqNbdJENdDZ7unQCKSRxlt2tBiZ52p-vch5u_ifyeyfftxzbfWZ9lF1-BJmtN8/s1600/DSCN0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YGvKyZ_33ZGUHehPoxnslDwuWjtc2XF9A6rRW6WWMPJIhSnfZo6QQp34m7l86E8jlzNJujj2uWGskoIqNbdJENdDZ7unQCKSRxlt2tBiZ52p-vch5u_ifyeyfftxzbfWZ9lF1-BJmtN8/s1600/DSCN0607.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We bought a drink at the JetWing Hotel and just drank in the view. There were dhows all along the horizon as well as on shore. They are such a graceful boat and that they can sail in different directions at the same time never fails to amaze me. I think I might have to book a dirty weekend here.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOAkQZzjUWXlKoomrad-_SP3mCKB2IdfWqyaMqDuW0_uC0Hs0LLsW7IZSgtWStMOgKd9jqF96SFDBBpwRs9kABbhPTax4klVhBEkHtCGD952sXnQw3sMcAMrEjBqZ1WYUtwOQx790c748/s1600/DSCN0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOAkQZzjUWXlKoomrad-_SP3mCKB2IdfWqyaMqDuW0_uC0Hs0LLsW7IZSgtWStMOgKd9jqF96SFDBBpwRs9kABbhPTax4klVhBEkHtCGD952sXnQw3sMcAMrEjBqZ1WYUtwOQx790c748/s1600/DSCN0640.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chillin' in Negombo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was Pettah Market. I felt a little guilty taking R into The Corner Shop "just to look at fabrics" but I knew she'd love the stuff. She bought 4m of fabric to cover her couch in her favorite colours all for ~ 1300 SLR. We also popped into a trim store and honestly, I don't know how she decided which trim to buy. I'm always a little overwhelmed. R is so easy to take rather hectic places. She felt comfortable enough to get some good snaps of the hubbub that is Pettah. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the last few days R had to have adventures by herself as I was subbing at work. I think she quickly got used to having the driver! No doubt once home she'll get into the backseat of her car and wait there for Nilifer to show up! Apparently he used a bit of "diplomatic privilege" to get some choice parking spots while squiring her around. I think she's used it more than I have! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite an amazingly fun time for me. I was surprised at how much we did and what there was to do! As I've said, her interest in getting out there and her excellent photography skills made it so much fun. Time whizzed by and now she's back home...and I'm back to my everyday adventures...solo. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-rkQQ0D6NSrk%2FVAKiKKor9tI%2FAAAAAAAABZ4%2FDjfZmQ4Wsow%2Fs1600%2FDSC_0126.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintFFSQQriHT2S8ZAt6xdBvsKoVeH4_it9IdtvmbNwvixx9mbo8oibb19ffzdDHNIYfOU9Y_yRXsP7b7zHzPR_xHRRNC7S6-iRlfVWE6yT8Cq7QbkzFZNyr7e5UP0_gtZp4yl_evOq8bk3/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" -->Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-92027872969342848772014-08-09T21:03:00.000-07:002014-08-09T21:03:01.536-07:00Driver?! I don't need no stinkin' driver.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6j1EM6JoWKbmY348RM-X2-2tXU6Ks0v7IutC9AnE3Wl5sL7_WG_HsjqhoynugQroMN7uSjstwQizJC_QO-140Mqhyb4waBkIdHJGoCYJWbS7jEJoQSUltlJqmnnB_LO2cCm689od9jXl/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6j1EM6JoWKbmY348RM-X2-2tXU6Ks0v7IutC9AnE3Wl5sL7_WG_HsjqhoynugQroMN7uSjstwQizJC_QO-140Mqhyb4waBkIdHJGoCYJWbS7jEJoQSUltlJqmnnB_LO2cCm689od9jXl/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hRs6eTiC0bG2JmFuOcvQkPi4ggJTchcpWZCccMB4TB0v2R3HjqGQybikWKdI6BF-nnF3Zc11sKy3KA-OHerMKm2XBkF1e83A6MFqaBZUdQYhQO-3ezTdXw3YZeI3bxrteK7yEg8qZof7/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hRs6eTiC0bG2JmFuOcvQkPi4ggJTchcpWZCccMB4TB0v2R3HjqGQybikWKdI6BF-nnF3Zc11sKy3KA-OHerMKm2XBkF1e83A6MFqaBZUdQYhQO-3ezTdXw3YZeI3bxrteK7yEg8qZof7/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZKxUF4TKBrUxCpQjS17_jU0KGb0qaO5H3AIVQhTin5d3SN1eJblCeOx4RFqCHIN_4Qhtu5K5ZVTVnUFNVagKSzZcBO9PJgZ4eNEEmh_Fbg3JBT9ZYqqjHyJ2ZW2san_kfkBXG4xhioiw/s1600/imgres-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZKxUF4TKBrUxCpQjS17_jU0KGb0qaO5H3AIVQhTin5d3SN1eJblCeOx4RFqCHIN_4Qhtu5K5ZVTVnUFNVagKSzZcBO9PJgZ4eNEEmh_Fbg3JBT9ZYqqjHyJ2ZW2san_kfkBXG4xhioiw/s1600/imgres-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YES!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I finally broke down and did it...got a driver. OMG what took me soo long! I can't believe how stress has been removed from my shoulders! I get in the car, he deals with the traffic, the parking, the whatevs. I send texts, veg out or plan the next place I want to go to! He is a really nice guy who drives really well. Big stress reliever!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said I'm out to the airport to pick up Rhonda. I can't believe she's here and that she came all this way...awesome. Do you think that this is a suitable welcome?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04V-M5rBpbSamR6qQ58Ym91MGCumxNjyKr2rWDOj87L3p1mhSQtrBmMJCP_fATV1KcACh55TMoc1diKWvL-2vBjVZ9KrEI-bqPFkVj30H2_dYjQf9IPzEJOwc21WRK3Ev5znDSi10MwPM/s1600/RhondaWelcome.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04V-M5rBpbSamR6qQ58Ym91MGCumxNjyKr2rWDOj87L3p1mhSQtrBmMJCP_fATV1KcACh55TMoc1diKWvL-2vBjVZ9KrEI-bqPFkVj30H2_dYjQf9IPzEJOwc21WRK3Ev5znDSi10MwPM/s1600/RhondaWelcome.jpg.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She arrived safe and sound and seemed to get a big laugh! I think I'll take her out to Barefoot today to gently immerse her! Things always look different in daylight!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk to you soon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-15884901236896923442014-07-03T10:13:00.003-07:002014-07-03T10:13:24.310-07:00"Think I'll go out to Alberta..."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty glorious shot. It's the flag off the Admin building at the U of A. Took N up there to just get feel for the possibility university has. He doesn't have to go to U of A (which he made abundantly clear!) but I'm glad he came and saw it anyway.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnln6kcCAnp45kE5lEmdcvKy5lOExERSb3q6emYyKG398BpWExVSGSa3TTeM7uusIx8KEtQhdCHAlA6_Chcr4HfQm046qzEskH_tBtAVCqWKfnM8b-bbSdNQlSE_86V3psJLSSlxFHz_s/s1600/DSCN0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnln6kcCAnp45kE5lEmdcvKy5lOExERSb3q6emYyKG398BpWExVSGSa3TTeM7uusIx8KEtQhdCHAlA6_Chcr4HfQm046qzEskH_tBtAVCqWKfnM8b-bbSdNQlSE_86V3psJLSSlxFHz_s/s1600/DSCN0019.JPG" height="298" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our campus visit we went to the Provincial Museum to see this show. It's a traveling exhibit from EMP in Seattle (will I never be free of that place?!). It was pretty good. The best part for me was the wall of album covers. They were mostly from the 80's and to see The Runaways, Ramones etc., was fun. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYH1OO9HKV5Tw87gOGv46NYsRClfoYyfrjwTrh-sViRT5GgpPWe8m1ItZDSQF25VZ0wHZyS-chwlxu6F36Z7jmTMUuXz2IV1jicS1oteW2nHgnLT_004cV_VBU3EvST60BUtIOnP7hQBR/s1600/DSCN0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYH1OO9HKV5Tw87gOGv46NYsRClfoYyfrjwTrh-sViRT5GgpPWe8m1ItZDSQF25VZ0wHZyS-chwlxu6F36Z7jmTMUuXz2IV1jicS1oteW2nHgnLT_004cV_VBU3EvST60BUtIOnP7hQBR/s1600/DSCN0021.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZXsLPd39T8kTxZQCr5pH4Gk1sRzW0uiISTplt9JPiAa7UiAunRgSApVR5G3w93aw8SSXWp-XLmS5OaQcMjGJeVWYpqqGM3TLlsS5jDDp9jVQTBlgF_VlaPsGItT24cSUzOMGXfL90vim/s1600/DSCN0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZXsLPd39T8kTxZQCr5pH4Gk1sRzW0uiISTplt9JPiAa7UiAunRgSApVR5G3w93aw8SSXWp-XLmS5OaQcMjGJeVWYpqqGM3TLlsS5jDDp9jVQTBlgF_VlaPsGItT24cSUzOMGXfL90vim/s1600/DSCN0060.JPG" height="320" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My apologies to G as he is a Ducati fan but I look pretty awesome!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXsc4h87QKSQnyAeVasZJstW7QZpQnAUwUaONKIUkMftZppdlKYYcwfewFzejDlbGHqSX0MOatyLeRmqTvTJyACeZWytImWf7gnAVZS_Xxcf7liDRE_vREDkWsquAb5Mx28G5xfaBLBo7/s1600/DSCN0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXsc4h87QKSQnyAeVasZJstW7QZpQnAUwUaONKIUkMftZppdlKYYcwfewFzejDlbGHqSX0MOatyLeRmqTvTJyACeZWytImWf7gnAVZS_Xxcf7liDRE_vREDkWsquAb5Mx28G5xfaBLBo7/s1600/DSCN0066.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we drove downtown which remains dismal, but we came across the Neon Museum. It's a quite cool idea and a few of the signs I recognized from when I was younger. Must be nice for those guys who have their condos downtown. </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPULGEwYD2DAqmMtdn-nj62VNLm4Ds8oRZANFWB0JoF9HQPPJFgXe9Mx0ajI13gxdRa9GTrjPDFCo61rBgs1xmCNykSsM3L1rLKe1BvgZibtkCP9L4B0FuTL4N4gwIt8Qh62Ey3FPS07Lf/s1600/DSCN0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPULGEwYD2DAqmMtdn-nj62VNLm4Ds8oRZANFWB0JoF9HQPPJFgXe9Mx0ajI13gxdRa9GTrjPDFCo61rBgs1xmCNykSsM3L1rLKe1BvgZibtkCP9L4B0FuTL4N4gwIt8Qh62Ey3FPS07Lf/s1600/DSCN0085.JPG" height="320" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the remains of M's last baby tooth. Gruesome...no?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCYj00XFDo5KJI8lrbpwbjgFYbzTgilQd5I94q-JoRc2koR_kSykSMWA3mdei1DYuodXWKAACbrOclrdPZiJj0Pcc7T0F8G5N8c5bj9zLDwCa4kFb0MqGVF59GCPWLjde-y0IaiRriBY5/s1600/DSCN0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCYj00XFDo5KJI8lrbpwbjgFYbzTgilQd5I94q-JoRc2koR_kSykSMWA3mdei1DYuodXWKAACbrOclrdPZiJj0Pcc7T0F8G5N8c5bj9zLDwCa4kFb0MqGVF59GCPWLjde-y0IaiRriBY5/s1600/DSCN0099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was kind of fun. S found on the teacher's email that someone was looking for a yoga teacher for her daughter's birthday party. Apparently birthday parties have themes now and hers was "wellness"! Uh...okay. They were really fun girls and we had a good laugh and I made a fair chunk of change from that! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdaGT8C8SguHodOaK7xjZ7ryBk-JJc3uNMpS89wRAf0K8TSk5WcrxkdUo79V8prDbfDgpSRqzUB5XHYuoAUQ3_DVTyOJFXhxxF8gW0RbRlHANz9BoimVglC5v1VgEQQ2tFcnfThThlzyw/s1600/DSCN0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdaGT8C8SguHodOaK7xjZ7ryBk-JJc3uNMpS89wRAf0K8TSk5WcrxkdUo79V8prDbfDgpSRqzUB5XHYuoAUQ3_DVTyOJFXhxxF8gW0RbRlHANz9BoimVglC5v1VgEQQ2tFcnfThThlzyw/s1600/DSCN0100.JPG" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys have picked up a few odd jobs. It's been hard as N is legal but he's not bondable so he can't do retail. (Sigh, next year?) Anyway he and his brother have been helping out. S can use their energy as she has lots of bits and bobs that need moving/chucking out, etc..</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq2ovya-OlTa9J9GOggiUSYKodrDvTDMvzOKtvkHL85_MiOc7uWcDzVCypvGxZk0T1FX292dR7bCPAZRoeM3OURgGSL21XXtjNPV1f6EB-AmElxG0oA_2FAHzK7FzmeIHHY4goxUGQO5w/s1600/DSCN0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq2ovya-OlTa9J9GOggiUSYKodrDvTDMvzOKtvkHL85_MiOc7uWcDzVCypvGxZk0T1FX292dR7bCPAZRoeM3OURgGSL21XXtjNPV1f6EB-AmElxG0oA_2FAHzK7FzmeIHHY4goxUGQO5w/s1600/DSCN0108.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sylvan Lake is Hockeyville this year...who knew?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went out to Sylvan Lake for Canada Day this year. It was a picture perfect Alberta day. I really love my province on days like this. The sky especially.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucEtbtymYujcUjL7tkXcm9TpgKDX4y91-Zm4ewqa2vYJ-4PvFNQDyxhKPPYsN-oH7yv8o5agJlmKkomuqzYdZyn4qH8tSItPCzqocHa88lTrrhjAHAsoig4gik0iv-VLrQYLHZe-HHcnw/s1600/DSCN0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucEtbtymYujcUjL7tkXcm9TpgKDX4y91-Zm4ewqa2vYJ-4PvFNQDyxhKPPYsN-oH7yv8o5agJlmKkomuqzYdZyn4qH8tSItPCzqocHa88lTrrhjAHAsoig4gik0iv-VLrQYLHZe-HHcnw/s1600/DSCN0119.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't go to Sylvan and not do The Big Moo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my next big project is selling my "Jesus in a ham sandwich" on the internet. Obviously I have a lot of time on my hands.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0hNaYwxUaInHg41-1aUe2HciOlZy7Psk-EvSU5IdDtpudyvbtRqpjVM1oND2Cku7CLeTYE3enOoF5nzFA7D1ajkdwwRgo8fe7RlkqQKBWVcTSDu4se3IUYCNgTNH-KbkCNFssU8A7P5x/s1600/DSCN0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0hNaYwxUaInHg41-1aUe2HciOlZy7Psk-EvSU5IdDtpudyvbtRqpjVM1oND2Cku7CLeTYE3enOoF5nzFA7D1ajkdwwRgo8fe7RlkqQKBWVcTSDu4se3IUYCNgTNH-KbkCNFssU8A7P5x/s1600/DSCN0124.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hammy Summer everyone!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-49532132248444304002014-06-24T18:27:00.000-07:002014-06-24T18:27:19.047-07:00Bums and Willies<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you ever have something you like it but there is just something not exactly right about it? Remember that great messenger bag that I made just before I left Colombo? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlTmsRnoWzxWXIVLl4vWd3fRQgBcZG8dmRSSHnDsJt38RAoe6IfNy8NM_E3sVdIueVfr7qHhIejflTtIE9WOW8xPlng38H3NP4A9J8QZ417i0rx3S9dxAuPQrkGt15tx42bV5rqxPIkoW/s1600/IMG_1585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlTmsRnoWzxWXIVLl4vWd3fRQgBcZG8dmRSSHnDsJt38RAoe6IfNy8NM_E3sVdIueVfr7qHhIejflTtIE9WOW8xPlng38H3NP4A9J8QZ417i0rx3S9dxAuPQrkGt15tx42bV5rqxPIkoW/s1600/IMG_1585.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always had a feeling(j'ai le feeling) about it and now I know what it is, my bag is covered with pictures of boy bits and bums from all angles! It is most disturbing! I don't see the fine seams, the great design, the clever re-use of findings I see PENISES AND BUMS!!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't wear that! I got enough strikes against me! ARGH!</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-25194634242807742382014-06-09T22:30:00.002-07:002014-06-09T22:30:37.390-07:00Gettin' outta Dodgy!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gosh I guess I shouldn't be so hard on Sri Lanka but it's hard sometimes. It really is an emotional roller coaster. For example; yesterday. I went to pay my Dialog bill at the new kiosk after having learned that the guy who sits behind the desk and window won't accept my payment anymore. Okay, fine, but I went to it only to find out that a) they won't let you touch the machine, b) the machine doesn't make change so "is it okay that we round it up?" and c) a guy stands there beside it with a bag of cash to give exact change?! Is that not a direct duplication of a "service" already provided? Anyone seen "Brazil". So that's kind of stupid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left to pay my other internet bill at Sri Lankan Tel, yes, I pay 2. They use the "old" method except you have to write all the info on your receipt. Seemed positively refreshing after Dialog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One the way home I decided to cut through Slave Island. (You may have read of my trips there previously.) Once, steps into the neighbourhood, I was re-jazzed about how special Sri Lanka is. There were women in full burka, muslim boys on the way home from school taunting each other to say "hello" to me and then running away when I responded! Crowds of tuktuk drivers standing around smoking watching one guy do all the work on the vehicles, chickens running around, wash draped on every surface to dry before the rains set in. It's so vibrant and the people so friendly. It's vanishing as the area is being squeezed to death by luxury hotel/residential developments. Progress really is a 2-edged sword.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So tonight, the boys and I board the first of <u>3</u> flights to get to Vancouver. It's a lot easier now than when they were little. However certain parties think that on a 2 hour layover they will just "pop into Bangkok or Tokyo". "Yeah, and monkeys will fly out of my ass."* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The flights are just part of it. After one night in beautiful Richmond (again "I'll just pop into Vancouver") we return to the airport to catch the bus down to Seattle where we'll stay until Monday the 16th. We then fly out to Calgary. So in reality, I'm on the road for awhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looked at what I'm going to do in Bellevue. I plan to visit with my old school, perhaps rejoin the "Soccer Mom Blonde Streak Nation" and thrift. There is just one bus to take to the ground zero of thrift stores in Bellevue. On the outer edges are the Children's Hospital followed by the American Cancer Society. Next, is the weird one next to Fred Meyers. Oh yeah, pitstop Fred Meyers for a decent bathroom and coffee. Then onto the nerve center of the thrift vortex, the Bellevue Goodwill (cue heavenly host)! Yeah Macklemore, watch me bust some tags!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catch you later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Wayne's World. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-11835852705899987832014-06-03T20:53:00.000-07:002014-06-03T20:53:55.373-07:00GALL-E*<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy67MLTHs1AtSiPpzwr74MJc5pDy_-FHhsqWtRJsYODHxShp_scr846_aSPIP3qZlQaLDNC05SHCL3qEPRKnM1_lhwv9jlejpJcSGtyUYr-0ykWJSh_xic3B27qge52jZs18S8HQ0WFS0y/s1600/SAM_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy67MLTHs1AtSiPpzwr74MJc5pDy_-FHhsqWtRJsYODHxShp_scr846_aSPIP3qZlQaLDNC05SHCL3qEPRKnM1_lhwv9jlejpJcSGtyUYr-0ykWJSh_xic3B27qge52jZs18S8HQ0WFS0y/s1600/SAM_2994.JPG" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd add Sri Lankan tumbleweeds, if I knew how!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should've known how the day of the Pola was going to go by my lunch order. I found a funky little cafe on Pedlar Street and ordered a sandwich and juice before going to the market. After about 15 minutes of banging and clanging about in the kitchen, the rather flustered looking chef/waiter/tech guy/bus boy came out and asked if I wanted peanut butter on my chicken club sandwich! I have to admit a big "double u - tee- eff " look came over my face as I contemplated this option! Lunch was gross. Oh yeah, my camera died too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after that debacle, I hauled all my stuff over to the market square. It's just outside the lovely old law courts in Galle. There are huge banyan trees providing shelter and clean public toilets nearby. I was placed next to the end near a bank...wow that'll drive people my way! It turned out to be quite a fun place to be as all the people at the bank were young and genki. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was quite busy for the first 2 hours and I chatted with a few people. There is a small expat community in Galle. They came over and looked and I even sold 2 belts! I was surprised by that. Then dead calm...nobody. As it turns out this is low season in Galle and there was nary a tourist in town. In fact, the hotel owner told me that this is the time of year most hotels shut down for renos, etc. Comedy and life, eh?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as it is in Sri Lanka, there is always a cricket game going on somewhere. On the other part of the square, some kids were playing. Soon all the bank people had drifted over and a quite raccous game got going! Honestly, there was nothing to do but chat with the other vendors. I met an artist, a couple of musicians, some lacemakers. In retrospect, I really came away with a lot from the experience, not cash but definitely a different kind of experience. The people I yoga'd for the Good Market very kindly came down to check me out! They are a funky couple from Hikkaduwa and have a cute little lodge/studio there. I had to laugh as they really loved my hippo cash can! In fact, I think more people liked it than my yoga stuff!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, I was a little bummed but it was fun and I'm proud of the leap I took. The drive down and back was great. I often forget how cool it is that I'm driving myself around Sri friggin' Lanka! Of course, I missed having companionship for dinner but I was so tired at the end of the day that I just ate and left.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The monsoon is upon us and the weather is gloomy and wet. You know it's different when N finds 29 degrees cool! It's actually good weather for sewing and I have always admired these napkins from Paradise Road. The Sinhalese and Tamil alphabets are so interesting and graphically pleasing that I knew I had to do something with them. So I pulled out my old Chinese Temple Guard bag as my inspiration and template and this is what I created yesterday. Ta dah!</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMd-qT51reAfcEeFkGRIaYwEglKmVTniSRlPnSakt4yFAh7PDxtFNOr6YAyK-tNdqiECsNZ2kK4SMCZVN9tqKK9gymbXjvIRnpqzLhsTFfHWncR9c7cn1Sug6TRxAu6288zoYt3Baebjp/s1600/IMG_1583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMd-qT51reAfcEeFkGRIaYwEglKmVTniSRlPnSakt4yFAh7PDxtFNOr6YAyK-tNdqiECsNZ2kK4SMCZVN9tqKK9gymbXjvIRnpqzLhsTFfHWncR9c7cn1Sug6TRxAu6288zoYt3Baebjp/s1600/IMG_1583.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sinhalese Alphabet bag.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFS3Vuh7AdpZqZGY1lZg0of2smXGz6muJVi1rBF9K0yuCrYw67lBex2QP0_FKsWBtzCSMyW7F8VLom6t36WgZgbNduWYDaDLL2-MMupNEPO4qmXYRUaaCZd4pDdz7neEBoxfMRaB5SLdV/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFS3Vuh7AdpZqZGY1lZg0of2smXGz6muJVi1rBF9K0yuCrYw67lBex2QP0_FKsWBtzCSMyW7F8VLom6t36WgZgbNduWYDaDLL2-MMupNEPO4qmXYRUaaCZd4pDdz7neEBoxfMRaB5SLdV/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faux Marrimeko lining.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I have to make a Tamil alphabet cosmetic bag to go with! I have to be careful as it's easy to venture into <span style="color: blue;"><b>CIDA WOMAN**</b> </span>land with handmade stuff. In fact, G has started to call me "Etsy Johnson". It's actually not a bad name, tee hee.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I am now turning my focus towards home for the summer. I will write soon.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* apologies to Disney</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**a woman of a "certain age" who wears all drapey ethnic clothing and jewelry. May also own a few feral cats.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br /></div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-38953358689423364652014-05-17T21:26:00.001-07:002014-05-17T21:26:19.774-07:00Vesak/Hikkaduwa Day trippin'<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week has been a bit nuts in terms of the locals. It's Vesak, the day of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing (I hope I have that correct). So to celebrate everyone has put up these quite incredible lanterns. They also give out free food and there are choirs praising the Buddha. Out near the kids' school they built these amazing floats of animals that were on the nearby canal. We live near Lake Beira which is where one of the biggest Buddhist temples is, so I knew we were in for a treat (you can read that any way you want). I apologize for the quality of the night shots. My little camera is useless!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJbLiHdzvTnxIy_9fobv9udGcFkPhtIhjP2e0Qb1c55jKBIePP2x3i-9euMT6vGdMRvQZIT3CHK7Bpl52PfMKQ4zQeZIqN0Y6Kp7g7BAujdWU-vvotJjfkPU6aezvSu8lX38Ppi9zRZ_T/s1600/SAM_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJbLiHdzvTnxIy_9fobv9udGcFkPhtIhjP2e0Qb1c55jKBIePP2x3i-9euMT6vGdMRvQZIT3CHK7Bpl52PfMKQ4zQeZIqN0Y6Kp7g7BAujdWU-vvotJjfkPU6aezvSu8lX38Ppi9zRZ_T/s1600/SAM_2924.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lanterns in our lobby.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXcQh4w8G-UpHjzia5JtkBpAwcgR-mGF3lE3yscmKpcKSpzO7eCWEmMEBoz8xLeCRqlKrfoBIzYLlJ2cyoNdWeNtCB4NvW_40G4cxM7eWlyLF_hJGkckfWbzAAkDkRB4pN6qWMpqU2w52/s1600/SAM_2936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXcQh4w8G-UpHjzia5JtkBpAwcgR-mGF3lE3yscmKpcKSpzO7eCWEmMEBoz8xLeCRqlKrfoBIzYLlJ2cyoNdWeNtCB4NvW_40G4cxM7eWlyLF_hJGkckfWbzAAkDkRB4pN6qWMpqU2w52/s1600/SAM_2936.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around Lake Beira.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBD-jyPw_gketXAlGvKb3U5d1q02HAucDsDQZVEpuWXzTkNl045gjNpXlWMP38cqNNgFEYulqcuGqGS5RiHTZlCC4dnCTqkS3H866Y-S0VIwz6av1BYsnrkyqxP-_V6aIgBAKqJ_rmusi/s1600/SAM_2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBD-jyPw_gketXAlGvKb3U5d1q02HAucDsDQZVEpuWXzTkNl045gjNpXlWMP38cqNNgFEYulqcuGqGS5RiHTZlCC4dnCTqkS3H866Y-S0VIwz6av1BYsnrkyqxP-_V6aIgBAKqJ_rmusi/s1600/SAM_2939.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the lantern entries...completely made of bamboo skewers!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming home from yoga on Thursday night I got caught in the thick of things and Galle Road was partially closed so I got to go on a driving tour of the festival. It was actually quite neat to see everyone, their faces lit by the lanterns and excitement. The municipality puts up these octagonally shaped lanterns and these big "Wheels of Karma" deals. Then, there are contest to build lanterns which venerate the Buddha and tell his life story. So while sitting in traffic I got to see a lot of them. There were also tonnes of people crammed into lorries, who were quite gobsmacked by it all. Because of the Buddha it's also a dry festival so the atmosphere was very family oriented and good spirits prevailed. Lemme tellya they prevailed well into the night as well! The Sri Lankans have their own version of a vuvuzela...nice. It's so melodic, especially at 2:45 a.m..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what with all these holidays the kids were home Wednesday and Thursday and then the weekend! Argh! Too much family time! So I begged, nay, beseeched G to come down to Hikkaduwa with me for the day. I don't think he was all that keen at first but once you hit the open road with a few good tunes, things change. I read somewhere that it is essential for humans to get out of the urban jungle and see green in all it's shades every once in awhile, gives our primate brain a woody. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6-K2lw2MVJfYqIO-pzHIciORxNdzgy0za9TqXHDGEF45_3QfrdV9A0KeTdWxvIOohEmxFyAwpOqkPHjaSgeLIPXzPXqK11c1AtRrijXjR4bprExM7Zu4x7Fx6moZf9qkZAZuq8vmQ5H3/s1600/SAM_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6-K2lw2MVJfYqIO-pzHIciORxNdzgy0za9TqXHDGEF45_3QfrdV9A0KeTdWxvIOohEmxFyAwpOqkPHjaSgeLIPXzPXqK11c1AtRrijXjR4bprExM7Zu4x7Fx6moZf9qkZAZuq8vmQ5H3/s1600/SAM_2947.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G and Captain Jacqueline Sparrow.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbyXBNJszmVzYmeHvOFeOrc9jmKuxJJ_RhNBXE6E5H_C6q-PcW-ldxf2JxusLjdAMDz9lXm9moDtizDClxKph4O4QrjbQOs95bhUCojVgu4kp7bHRWqqL8wZdHTDpm_ehI_hHv9XD0srk/s1600/SAM_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbyXBNJszmVzYmeHvOFeOrc9jmKuxJJ_RhNBXE6E5H_C6q-PcW-ldxf2JxusLjdAMDz9lXm9moDtizDClxKph4O4QrjbQOs95bhUCojVgu4kp7bHRWqqL8wZdHTDpm_ehI_hHv9XD0srk/s1600/SAM_2948.JPG" height="320" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratuitous Yoga on the beach shot.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt0sKoLj4EFaNL4PT7PFSap56YIQijQThbxpusIgJKImOy73DWLmMDvNNOmS2RZtlQskCWnd8LIoaDqg_BjJdqPyxi1hgpwPsYH07ZvmeVNkl_XIcPqysVWnfnG60Z0CLEGvX9uSvG8uC/s1600/SAM_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt0sKoLj4EFaNL4PT7PFSap56YIQijQThbxpusIgJKImOy73DWLmMDvNNOmS2RZtlQskCWnd8LIoaDqg_BjJdqPyxi1hgpwPsYH07ZvmeVNkl_XIcPqysVWnfnG60Z0CLEGvX9uSvG8uC/s1600/SAM_2949.JPG" height="320" width="217" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am definitely staying here next time...would that look hilarious on your next VISA bill?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway it was so relaxing. Hikkaduwa is an old surf town and has a really great laid back vibe. An added bonus was that there was no one there. We had a tasty grilled fish lunch and went for a walk on the beach. It's an absolutely amazing waterfront. We are so lucky to be an 1 1/2 hr drive from all this. People work their whole lives for what we get to see everyday. Believe me, we do feel lucky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To compound this good fortune, Galle is just down the road and we were "in need" of a sweet. So we arrived and parked. I went into Souk 58 and was a bit bummed in that there was <b>another banana shirt. </b>How can that be? What if I run into it at a one of my fancy outings to Food City or Arpico? Fashion Faux Pas or what?! So I consoled myself with a lovely piece of cake while G had a fruit salad. I, then coerced him into going to "Dairy King" for home-made ginger ice cream. It's amazing. There are big chunks of hot ginger at the bottom..yum! Of course eating this looking out over the Indian ocean with your sweetheart is also pretty amazing.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGJS1eZeBJxPRs49y9COTx10oF0lqUrFNDZeSpe8pmhN7G34iIFoHkMfXqT85dZMVX1g3JsHqH6GbTGeQYH67zST095a0yGvQQx-Zmgx24iVDnyOKwDdtQ4E54pw9HVpHOTvqbMRfaw_H/s1600/SAM_2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGJS1eZeBJxPRs49y9COTx10oF0lqUrFNDZeSpe8pmhN7G34iIFoHkMfXqT85dZMVX1g3JsHqH6GbTGeQYH67zST095a0yGvQQx-Zmgx24iVDnyOKwDdtQ4E54pw9HVpHOTvqbMRfaw_H/s1600/SAM_2953.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G at "Dairy King", Galle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I returned, refreshed and ready for the next little while. It's going to be a bit of a whirlwind as we get ready to come home. I'm also going to try to do the Galle Market on June 1. Busy, busy, busy!</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-10510819423849452632014-05-10T21:59:00.000-07:002014-05-10T21:59:05.624-07:00The week that was...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's weird, how living here you walk around Sunday thinking, "Well I've got a long dull week ahead." Then suddenly, WHAMMO! It's Friday and you wonder where the time went! Must be a symptom of ageing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's review shall we? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Monday</u> was good. Whilst not particularly busy I had time to show the ladies at The Om Space my stuff. They were totally lovely about it and treated me professionally...which of course threw me for a loop! Serena even mentioned orders of eye bags for class as well as giving me some display space in the shop! Well that just set my menopausal heart afllutter. It's amazing what stress, even good stress does to your system when you're like this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Tuesday</u> I knew that I had talked about things entirely too much and therefore had no stock for the yard sale on Wednesday (I'm more of a conceptualist!) So I blew off the International Expats meeting to stay home and crank sh*t out. What was an added bonus was that I was listening to CBC and Stewart Maclean and Jian Gomeshi were on. It was a bacchanalia of CanCon!* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Wednesday</u> was the day of the Yard Sale at school. I knew that this wasn't the best venue for me, but I wanted to get out and try things. So off I went. It turned out to be mostly children's toys but a few people stopped by who were interested in yoga. I had to laugh to myself at all the pitying looks I was getting as the tables on either side of me were reaping in thousands of rupees. They were beating off customers with a stick, made of LEGOs! Ha! My products had no PVC or BHAs. My yoga items will not cause your son's breasts to develop prematurely! Take that! I'M NOT BITTER...NO! The organizer of the event took pity on me and bought one eye bag. That's almost worse than none. Oh well. I learned a lot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's the meat in this sandwich? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MuauNSGt1f2-gX_6y9YhNZXcJiyo6_-oRUZBRjqXRPZj3FezWzYoV6H4_wkIGFbSefh8NXYx_Xrujdw4ciNCU4e_JN0AB8jrYhg-ApEPrWanYOVMCWGHCNiUAd8TF5B5plmQnDVMzEVc/s1600/SAM_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MuauNSGt1f2-gX_6y9YhNZXcJiyo6_-oRUZBRjqXRPZj3FezWzYoV6H4_wkIGFbSefh8NXYx_Xrujdw4ciNCU4e_JN0AB8jrYhg-ApEPrWanYOVMCWGHCNiUAd8TF5B5plmQnDVMzEVc/s1600/SAM_2918.JPG" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have fun. This is not the NASDAQ...it's a yard sale. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to edit my display a bit more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learning to engage with people more easily (story of my life!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Different photos, it's obvious to me what the props are used for but not to all.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Project more confidence in the product as I really do believe in props and I am proud of my work.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps cover the eye bags with a thin film as people were handling them and hands are grotty. You know a display bag maybe.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time have the "Yoga Doodles" ready. What are Yoga Doodles? Well it's my avatar doing poses for kids to colour. Basically free colouring pages with my email address on it. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzqXmFBjnjUviKqybrqLxV_p_j1aVZVZIUN6XfLWImjg2D1VpqVyfbM0HlDXcGzFFV-nv3earjkRnZCwUriCtmDTIMzhfe92L6m_PTv4TwhVtidsD8gBPpSZzJapy_5LqF7U1hJBooMjx/s1600/SAM_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzqXmFBjnjUviKqybrqLxV_p_j1aVZVZIUN6XfLWImjg2D1VpqVyfbM0HlDXcGzFFV-nv3earjkRnZCwUriCtmDTIMzhfe92L6m_PTv4TwhVtidsD8gBPpSZzJapy_5LqF7U1hJBooMjx/s1600/SAM_2919.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables were small so had to "edit" carefully!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<u>Thursday </u>Jo took me to a bling bling store here in Colombo. It had every type of sequin, bead, etc.. Almost too much. I got quite excited and bought some stuff I'm not really sure I need (since when has that been a problem?) I am going to teach myself how to do that Indian mirror embroidery. I want to exaggerate it for my yoga mat bags. It's something I like to do, take a handicraft style and try to put a twist on it. We had fun in the store and then there was a lunch at Min Han afterwards. It's the Chinese hole in the wall that's pretty decent. The decor is the best though, Chinese Communist party bistro circa<br />1983. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Friday</u> I filled in for Sabina at Om Space. I taught my first restorative yoga class and quite enjoyed it. The group was older and I was worried that I'd break them but they seemed to enjoy the class and watching other people chill wasn't as dull as I thought it might be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Saturday</u> I got to be yoga'd and it was great. I'm always glad when I go. We had 2 evening events to go to but unfortunately we couldn't find the first one, which was a gathering of my night-time yoga class. I was quite bummed about that as everyone is really nice and you hardly ever get a chance to speak with people after class. The second event was a birthday party for a newly arrived American family. They are wonderful hosts and very cordial. We owe them a couple of dinners...yikes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Sunday</u> I am sitting in the CoffeeBean after dropping Greg off at golf thinking,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Well I've got a long dull week ahead."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Have a good one people!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Canadian Content</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-39983723346340832702014-05-01T20:35:00.001-07:002014-05-01T20:35:53.610-07:00"Just another Manic Friday..."*<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't believe what has transpired in just one year. I looked in the cupboard at my fav coffee cup only to realize it was only 12 months ago I was in New York! Now here I am in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It's a weird world!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbt8kBN3iel5KftQome3GwhCNeRCzbYbiCKJuTa5teWUtSBrpPs7ifFb7wdWpQMJhnJhyphenhyphenXxZJKzNhR2rWScw5soGkeRit3EATn74Whw1sK6pyn_JVh0MuS8XeqZgxlju6tsR9CrwbbYUN/s1600/SAM_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbt8kBN3iel5KftQome3GwhCNeRCzbYbiCKJuTa5teWUtSBrpPs7ifFb7wdWpQMJhnJhyphenhyphenXxZJKzNhR2rWScw5soGkeRit3EATn74Whw1sK6pyn_JVh0MuS8XeqZgxlju6tsR9CrwbbYUN/s1600/SAM_2884.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What are <u>You</u> lookin' at?" (To be read in your best Travis Bickle voice) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also just decided to go for it vis-a-vis selling my yoga stuff. There is a yard sale at the school next week and while it might not be the perfect venue, it's good experience. Plus the table is FREE! So last night I got some people in my yoga class to model the eye bags. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogkUDQsySSN8wIAQV_wSQo77osqVfkGI4cL-Ie5yp0vJX5hXUtipDyPUJqYFyuBxv7_kpLlS5yUlePBV66cSwS7v_TBJHLCDM2zkTKxqLDN2wcaP4p0HIYNVKFBdfhzROhl7IGdyjPzxN/s1600/SAM_2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogkUDQsySSN8wIAQV_wSQo77osqVfkGI4cL-Ie5yp0vJX5hXUtipDyPUJqYFyuBxv7_kpLlS5yUlePBV66cSwS7v_TBJHLCDM2zkTKxqLDN2wcaP4p0HIYNVKFBdfhzROhl7IGdyjPzxN/s1600/SAM_2876.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is that not hilarious, but restful at the same time?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am super happy with how they turned out! I also want to use the pictures as instructions. Lots of people don't know about props and how they can deepen your practice. In fact, I've been toying with the name "Yoga Prop-aganda" as the title for the booth. it's not perfect but it's getting there. Besides everyone is asking me what my "business" is called so, "there people...<b>YOGA PROP-AGANDA</b>. You happy now?!!" (That's wee bit cranky!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSqlHW81oEGc-JX_2oPCYKg3E23yr21lPH5-L1WRS9FPs7Vz2XL60x4lABHd_WR50Q_Jg-2wYcJoANpb0fFl3izXZhaGuSN5siIHwH8QJngBqJwvfQK_CwbUlbulV3nKenANe6JdnIkyR/s1600/SAM_2866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSqlHW81oEGc-JX_2oPCYKg3E23yr21lPH5-L1WRS9FPs7Vz2XL60x4lABHd_WR50Q_Jg-2wYcJoANpb0fFl3izXZhaGuSN5siIHwH8QJngBqJwvfQK_CwbUlbulV3nKenANe6JdnIkyR/s1600/SAM_2866.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratuitous cute son shot! He's such a good guy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got pants to sell, more rice bags, some mat bags, and maybe some belts (if I can get off my duff). I went with the tubular mat bag style as it is easier to produce and I can highlight more of my design work on the bag. I've got a very strong graphic going and I'm really pleased with it.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of strong graphic, I am helping out the International Expats with making their Xmas stuff (yeah, I love working with felt in the tropics!) and I was reminded of the story my mom told about going to her quilting class and everyone had done all these beautiful muted tone quilts. When she unfurled her "Hobbema Quilt"**, there was an audible gasp, then a palpable silence fell over the room! Well, it was the same with my Christmas Tree bottle covers. The other ladies had done these gorgeous, more traditional colours and designs with beading etc., and there was mine, LOUD & Proud!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGF499nwNEbPagf4W9a-oH7VEkyQljzKb1cyV_0EZu9v11uDRm-59NBsyzgKBSfop5juLpfBwlkyvkOWn8sel2YaENTraB49FO3oA-22DEQyIcaqSj5bzQNZHE7RyDQCH8FWQjACrdTQX/s1600/SAM_2863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGF499nwNEbPagf4W9a-oH7VEkyQljzKb1cyV_0EZu9v11uDRm-59NBsyzgKBSfop5juLpfBwlkyvkOWn8sel2YaENTraB49FO3oA-22DEQyIcaqSj5bzQNZHE7RyDQCH8FWQjACrdTQX/s1600/SAM_2863.JPG" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't worry, I've since added a star.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'm on to Snowmen bottle covers. I guess being the only Canadian in this group I am the expert on all things snow! Of course, the only snowman that comes to mind is the giant snowman my older brother once made that was anatomically correct and quite tumescent (hey..it was cold) But I digress.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a bit of a bear this morning and after dropping off G, I was going to stop at Ronnie Mac's for an insipid coffee but decided against it and came home. So what should I discover to my great surprise? The little store downstairs has brought in a barrista and goodies from Pan Pan, the local bakery. Whoo hoo! It was a pretty decent latte that got me over the hump! I have included this picture just because it made me laugh.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4u5cVfhUb25rY3HE_AREtQzvHQG4qFJi0SUVXD8PV4vx9g6Y-fDncVNnS-taqN-mmhOh1Yo1YFpGZyD_WBH_pffBnAgNguYTtJPpUDYc7fanyrB5EST7f6VvpmKtENU5vXOPOJX161T6/s1600/SAM_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4u5cVfhUb25rY3HE_AREtQzvHQG4qFJi0SUVXD8PV4vx9g6Y-fDncVNnS-taqN-mmhOh1Yo1YFpGZyD_WBH_pffBnAgNguYTtJPpUDYc7fanyrB5EST7f6VvpmKtENU5vXOPOJX161T6/s1600/SAM_2812.JPG" height="320" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When models and vegetables mate.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a good weekend!</span></b></div>
<br /><br />* The Bangles<div>
**Hobbema is a reservation in Alberta and the Aboriginal people there use loads of wild colours in their dance costumes.<br /><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-32538428117832532512014-04-20T20:42:00.000-07:002014-04-20T20:42:13.081-07:00Busy week: buns and protests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoo hoo! Everyone is back to school and work! No Easter Monday for us but I made cinnamon buns for the <u>first time</u> yesterday as my concession to the holiday. They look awesome, if I do say so myself!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8x1UfGOAaXwfZIsFE7oj8SDVb8brCwuRGFVZ4MSZMHnHND-2RUDdvQ3H37Qi_VzG2vreoZxAx_F4mfhOxmIVErOFVv1LnqsHGyT6RCsiYK7DusYgeBxXb1MOP1gcXTCuzwcd-M36k2W0/s1600/SAM_2769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8x1UfGOAaXwfZIsFE7oj8SDVb8brCwuRGFVZ4MSZMHnHND-2RUDdvQ3H37Qi_VzG2vreoZxAx_F4mfhOxmIVErOFVv1LnqsHGyT6RCsiYK7DusYgeBxXb1MOP1gcXTCuzwcd-M36k2W0/s1600/SAM_2769.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw, bare buns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately I took a longer shower than I needed and the buns bronzed a bit more than I wanted! However, a drizzle of glaze makes up for any tardy behavior on my part.</span> </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwTk0vU9U1dLFMVcmsAFJQ4_ImiRWS74OdtUcXzgdWiKPcyQ5oJSQRDh-bnPbxsVLR5QdhW3CRAwgFXoh-qfZ9ytn33LwDxUoTrta_VAo1lgVZveQ20gWnVe-QPj5u-mqZnFQNUxeQcfa/s1600/SAM_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwTk0vU9U1dLFMVcmsAFJQ4_ImiRWS74OdtUcXzgdWiKPcyQ5oJSQRDh-bnPbxsVLR5QdhW3CRAwgFXoh-qfZ9ytn33LwDxUoTrta_VAo1lgVZveQ20gWnVe-QPj5u-mqZnFQNUxeQcfa/s1600/SAM_2771.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take that Cinnabons!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've joined Fashion Revolution Day and #insideout. On Thursday we will wear our clothing with the labels out so that we think about where our garments came from. It is to get others to think about the issue and commemorates those who died in Rana Plaza. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Lanka is especially interesting to be in now because they have a very large garment industry. However the business is not totally unregulated and as desperate as Bangladesh. Yet the rag trade is a fickle mistress. If things become too good for the worker, the business will piss off somewhere else leaving a lot of people bereft. In this day and age things can be equitable. Pay more for a better t-shirt that not only looks good, it IS good.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QNgvCo9TIfON0mTpIAUVk5TzdKnkMOqBlmZrogZYt4FEkGSXWPZUazCVkmXThhH_MzBzaoGzafITcePQq9HSEeCIzdfDEjLG3tLtCIKdu-T0VyC4qeNdLBDH1RUA7_eVUrho1fb2Exlh/s1600/SAM_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QNgvCo9TIfON0mTpIAUVk5TzdKnkMOqBlmZrogZYt4FEkGSXWPZUazCVkmXThhH_MzBzaoGzafITcePQq9HSEeCIzdfDEjLG3tLtCIKdu-T0VyC4qeNdLBDH1RUA7_eVUrho1fb2Exlh/s1600/SAM_2788.JPG" height="400" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Who made your shirt?" Think about it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, end of "boring preachy part"* I figured out how to Tweet my photo to Fashion Revolution Day and I got a few responses. I've been reTweeted, favorited, and picked up one follower! It's great! I have no idea what it all means. It's nice though that what I did resonated with some. It just proves that being true to yourself is the way to go. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*(Props to Greg Proops) </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-58539516891941094582014-04-19T00:53:00.001-07:002014-04-19T00:53:43.901-07:00Singapore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am just sitting here in the airport with M quite excited to be going somewhere. You'd think with all my experience living overseas I'd realize how NB it is to "get outta Dodge" every once in a while! But the more I learn, the less I know. Then add to that menopause brain and you've got a complete shell of a woman making life altering decisions! Sheesh! I'd compare this to pregnancy brain but at least with PB (no..not peanut butter 'tho that's not a bad comparison) once it's over there is a 99% chance you would regain most of your faculties..not so now. This is it. The end...le fin...termina..it's curtains..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, Singapore was as wonderful and dull as it ever was. I marveled at the lack of horns being honked..cars stopping when you cross the street..streets! Ah, I'm in a bad way about Sri Lanka right now so I'm not being fair.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW2qbgC-p1H3PdUweVIUQMd_IIYG-RmSPu7p4W3NM55_FXLJgPb4J_1U10iqUsLbCOPSuGI9fpU7krMObegm-bz9vN9tJG57L1bWEpeDOF2A2hnkFAggur7BODiu-dIGHxj4wketjC4nD/s1600/SAM_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW2qbgC-p1H3PdUweVIUQMd_IIYG-RmSPu7p4W3NM55_FXLJgPb4J_1U10iqUsLbCOPSuGI9fpU7krMObegm-bz9vN9tJG57L1bWEpeDOF2A2hnkFAggur7BODiu-dIGHxj4wketjC4nD/s1600/SAM_2641.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our room was ..um..very efficient!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYbHTh4ppTyryHFtPipX9fglsiLu_30hO3gsEaynfOMI9zC3gQYp4FiBglSW8uIacFjZ4zIeQ-_7Gvbq6MYKpUEmHAMeA0FJwBFKng5UsrC9RN18jybbQohHrnTo7OFGCkvfpqsrRkbsH/s1600/SAM_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYbHTh4ppTyryHFtPipX9fglsiLu_30hO3gsEaynfOMI9zC3gQYp4FiBglSW8uIacFjZ4zIeQ-_7Gvbq6MYKpUEmHAMeA0FJwBFKng5UsrC9RN18jybbQohHrnTo7OFGCkvfpqsrRkbsH/s1600/SAM_2647.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our first meal!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, what I did enjoy? Well a flood of memories came back as both N and M were little gaffers here. M was less than impressed when I showed him the hospital where he was born. He was more impressed by the first MacDonald's I took him to! We also stopped at our old apartment to say "hi" to Masoud, who is the doorman there. He remembered us and was surprised that 13 1/2 years have passed! I also hit up a few of the old second hand stores but my heart wasn't in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day M went to hang with his friend, I went to the museums. I was curious about the Red Dot Design Museum. I gather it's a design award and the museum houses the winners. It was interesting, if a little sparse. Of course, having taken the museum studies course I look at exhibits a bit differently Kinda fun to think how I would of staged it. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4jpmX94DkjuVSLjhIrL044lqkecJ8ws-Tqc24aN8Ou1TNwfNGh25B4ve5I13CJxNNwPqjijTTgL7xvmUKPI71qdfuQUXk_zhPaIY-Zxmt-wQqcBPBf2CsQ5X5VG3dYcivlb-ewXdlunC/s1600/SAM_2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4jpmX94DkjuVSLjhIrL044lqkecJ8ws-Tqc24aN8Ou1TNwfNGh25B4ve5I13CJxNNwPqjijTTgL7xvmUKPI71qdfuQUXk_zhPaIY-Zxmt-wQqcBPBf2CsQ5X5VG3dYcivlb-ewXdlunC/s1600/SAM_2663.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No mistaking the Red Dot Design Museum!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite exhibit was the Tupperware exhibit (no, this has nothing to do with my "Clic Clak" obsession). I thought it was delightfully presented. Looking through various design books from around the world was fun. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB8T5wglTEibq1XLq6anSrsWXYTmmfaMk8SedW5lbnC5li5radKLxBueirLJjoForNGr6MUAEOzYHh88a4STiovFpZvfVTRWPFzAWfEXdDAdLjCOj9H5omtb1mydN7iQ99ggjn8hD4HXG/s1600/SAM_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB8T5wglTEibq1XLq6anSrsWXYTmmfaMk8SedW5lbnC5li5radKLxBueirLJjoForNGr6MUAEOzYHh88a4STiovFpZvfVTRWPFzAWfEXdDAdLjCOj9H5omtb1mydN7iQ99ggjn8hD4HXG/s1600/SAM_2677.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's a lot of "burping"going on!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that I wandered over to Maxwell Food Court for a drink, then down Ann Siang Hill. When I came out I was delighted to see that I was at our favorite Ipoh Hor Fun (it's not what you think it is!) restaurant. It's a slow braised beef (maybe!) noodle soup. It's quite delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOX8YcjEWfpC4HRV1tokAIeCUvIMvwL4XAVG1YIcEwB6DxtAY_ShJbaq8H7FYxDHWiIua9S9tr3XNcOdQha-e1uCqSfWreKogQaDR-CDW5nZw2fOMV60RIAxQYqgb6bR_mYSILgCn_dl-/s1600/SAM_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOX8YcjEWfpC4HRV1tokAIeCUvIMvwL4XAVG1YIcEwB6DxtAY_ShJbaq8H7FYxDHWiIua9S9tr3XNcOdQha-e1uCqSfWreKogQaDR-CDW5nZw2fOMV60RIAxQYqgb6bR_mYSILgCn_dl-/s1600/SAM_2687.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ipoh Hor Fun!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hopped the MRT and went over to the National Museum. It's housed in a very grand building with a modern extension. I was after the "Living Galleries". The Food one was good. There were quite a few beautiful tiffins and kopitiam cups. I winced when I realized that those old Fraser and Neeve glasses I was so casual with were actual collector pieces..sheesh! Imagine... using them for drinking!? </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm37bBvBLaSLzWD3pUz4n_JFIhW2Ac9Rve5_1M1jC7o9guz7S5z_7mSGkNuFHaH0LVbkOBLjZjVLmamRS9Ouz_ee2jFVW3oj-ZhcBmJrnA0Mbc8ZAFyiF1wYUmXdUJkOhZaGyr0dSQ_Wuh/s1600/SAM_2691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm37bBvBLaSLzWD3pUz4n_JFIhW2Ac9Rve5_1M1jC7o9guz7S5z_7mSGkNuFHaH0LVbkOBLjZjVLmamRS9Ouz_ee2jFVW3oj-ZhcBmJrnA0Mbc8ZAFyiF1wYUmXdUJkOhZaGyr0dSQ_Wuh/s1600/SAM_2691.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The various Kopitiam (coffeshop) cups.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the gallery I was after was the fashion gallery. It was for some inexplicable reason housed in a very dark gallery with lots of dead space. Now I know that in the tropics it is hard to preserve textiles but I think a lot more could have been done about the politics surrounding the changes, I mean come on, riots, nationhood, Lee Kwan Yew, the whole sixties ethos! Also, more homage could've been paid to the humble tailor shop. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqvmkN9sQBYPxUT4REf8CIPBOKwOLmtAQtW1GsXbI9CFHcTv-8w9jurCrWYqM5AoCKaBdokC8EiTOn_u4roOhjSuIILz3hbpGoa5LODS20yoSjfV8zK6bCWc-mCVcyhkz_8wyC0Sn99mJ/s1600/SAM_2698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqvmkN9sQBYPxUT4REf8CIPBOKwOLmtAQtW1GsXbI9CFHcTv-8w9jurCrWYqM5AoCKaBdokC8EiTOn_u4roOhjSuIILz3hbpGoa5LODS20yoSjfV8zK6bCWc-mCVcyhkz_8wyC0Sn99mJ/s1600/SAM_2698.JPG" height="320" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese pjs and Cheongsam, one sexy, one not so...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AUAIVT9ntVz9M_9kGZA067PlP4UDmSTSlIC9q9EGrUzC_CCQy3ozto56KZiIpOO-R5O6n9srq8J1SOMe2zEv0x5c6dbggimCGKPh_RF7SCOAV9htlX1orMVDQXqdmUNhocf0VuPF6h-f/s1600/SAM_2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AUAIVT9ntVz9M_9kGZA067PlP4UDmSTSlIC9q9EGrUzC_CCQy3ozto56KZiIpOO-R5O6n9srq8J1SOMe2zEv0x5c6dbggimCGKPh_RF7SCOAV9htlX1orMVDQXqdmUNhocf0VuPF6h-f/s1600/SAM_2697.JPG" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some western dresses & in the back you can see a paper "soup can" dress.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIZTcomAUACoCS3DH_M2GTkbcb9iV83ie18y3bBe3c0XNhqAra6CRr5ZR29ZGkbh6NgYOGmzfi4eIZ9TlF8Llcc-hnbvcAZDhFG3acSd4JUlkNZGMvUK_3WsMN_UO99lqnr-OpCSk40_/s1600/SAM_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIZTcomAUACoCS3DH_M2GTkbcb9iV83ie18y3bBe3c0XNhqAra6CRr5ZR29ZGkbh6NgYOGmzfi4eIZ9TlF8Llcc-hnbvcAZDhFG3acSd4JUlkNZGMvUK_3WsMN_UO99lqnr-OpCSk40_/s1600/SAM_2710.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A nice way to create drama in a hall.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the fashion exhibit at the Wing Luck Museum in Seattle they had a much more interactive display. I think giant paper doll cutouts that you could put yourself behind even would have been good. How about the local (Malay/Chinese) singers at the time and their style?How about the most iconic woman of all, the Singapore girl? I passed by the Movie and Wayang section and in retrospect should have gone. They had a more modern exhibit in the extension of the building but again how it related to everything..dunno. It's a hard space to work with, to be sure. Now if I were the designer...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said, we zoomed around on the MRT and while I was going way underground at Dhoby Ghat I looked up and saw this! It must be kind of freaky to be the guy cleaning the pond and looking down 'cuz it was kind of freaky looking up!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutA5jElh0gAK7X_XRTXiVcGOIx-roV_hMOAs03h2muUv0bQC9tpw9Cq63zowJEYM-VwKCoX0v_31QkvOnnt1Qd0trmNhAZ4oDjAxBCzhwQIY4husfZIjGMGS1sb2-y4oajxy7sr7szFAZ/s1600/SAM_2722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutA5jElh0gAK7X_XRTXiVcGOIx-roV_hMOAs03h2muUv0bQC9tpw9Cq63zowJEYM-VwKCoX0v_31QkvOnnt1Qd0trmNhAZ4oDjAxBCzhwQIY4husfZIjGMGS1sb2-y4oajxy7sr7szFAZ/s1600/SAM_2722.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">M and I also enjoyed some of the inhouse entertainment our hotel had to offer. I enjoyed a documentary called "Menstruation Man". It's not all what you might think and the guy who is the subject is an amazing man helping the poor women of India. They don't have access to affordable pads nor in some cases do they even know they exist. The women are shy and don't hang their laundered rags (!) in the sun to dry so they re-use unsanitary cloths. This, as you can imagine, can have a devastating effect on their personal health and can even affect their unborn children. Suffering great derision and through trial and error, he has developed a process and a machine so that impoverished women can manufacture their own pads. They are improving their health and creating employment for those who otherwise might remain in misery. It is very inspiring!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU2Ctc0_Oo54nxizYsSUhkonRD07dUI-pnKOxnilaxhUWepfU_WS1vV7bZSvxndm1Tyu-nwFL4-WN0651qP35_HhAl0rfsqhyphenhyphennJac408j9rguq_brOGiW5pEPSd8LPDaIN4Obf18aRdxV/s1600/SAM_2720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU2Ctc0_Oo54nxizYsSUhkonRD07dUI-pnKOxnilaxhUWepfU_WS1vV7bZSvxndm1Tyu-nwFL4-WN0651qP35_HhAl0rfsqhyphenhyphennJac408j9rguq_brOGiW5pEPSd8LPDaIN4Obf18aRdxV/s1600/SAM_2720.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not so erudite was the Tamil movie we enjoyed. The gods were playing with the lives of 4 men and giving them all sorts of tests in order that they maybe returned to their normal lives. It was a hoot! Especially the fact that the gods watched everything on an IMac! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally even though this isn't a food blog I had to show you the amazing tofu fah disappearing act!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgYaGUbMjpowvRaoUVxhvcGzoLikOBZ_kHTiF6B7JP3nbBnfrTXu8O7hyGO3J1oN7ty6ZpGXNbzZeEg9oSkM_hYad-ig5EgoK86H9_MkKkrtUEnJPYHAAJtiWs4ebkaLY60EQzonyxUbq/s1600/SAM_2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgYaGUbMjpowvRaoUVxhvcGzoLikOBZ_kHTiF6B7JP3nbBnfrTXu8O7hyGO3J1oN7ty6ZpGXNbzZeEg9oSkM_hYad-ig5EgoK86H9_MkKkrtUEnJPYHAAJtiWs4ebkaLY60EQzonyxUbq/s1600/SAM_2743.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you see it...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd2n2Lraus1DlNQXS3vi9M4lHEqPxHeOqwF12ltbRtCqAJlAmzHu9PA_-xIxE6Gdoo6iz6O8uNeajLfCB1p22QWpB3jwxZIT5pqBsQeHP2BpIYohJvryy_Su1MHesS8__iS1X1exraKnd/s1600/SAM_2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd2n2Lraus1DlNQXS3vi9M4lHEqPxHeOqwF12ltbRtCqAJlAmzHu9PA_-xIxE6Gdoo6iz6O8uNeajLfCB1p22QWpB3jwxZIT5pqBsQeHP2BpIYohJvryy_Su1MHesS8__iS1X1exraKnd/s1600/SAM_2748.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you don't!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-28454473803742468712014-03-31T22:28:00.000-07:002014-03-31T22:28:10.645-07:00Pettah -aphile<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ha ha,a very funny title if you've been there. Pettah is the beehive of activity that is Colombo's retail and wholesale market. It is really quite incredible and dare I say it...a bit daunting to go into. Everyone tells me it's not safe for young women but, that I should be okay! Ouch! </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORAL9QFfawslvR2mJgo4dAL9FNu7fp7l1h81wkzzyzJYFovmoFjF_K0CMTZ8A7z-fvwFyHVsiXODtwQDPVv7XmIxxkNRjzQ1xO14e8A7ZSErmC_O7dELrFO_MM2-DysERt93z53P8J1XF/s3200/InspirARTion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORAL9QFfawslvR2mJgo4dAL9FNu7fp7l1h81wkzzyzJYFovmoFjF_K0CMTZ8A7z-fvwFyHVsiXODtwQDPVv7XmIxxkNRjzQ1xO14e8A7ZSErmC_O7dELrFO_MM2-DysERt93z53P8J1XF/s3200/InspirARTion.png" height="158" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">9 day shitters</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The area of the market that I was mostly concerned with is the textile and notions area. You see I've decided to try and do a pop up store for yoga products. There is nothing here other than nasty, crappy bags or the ones with corporate logos. I have some great bag designs so I thought I'd put them out there. Also I've have this pair of um...how shall I say?...nine day shitters that are the most comfortable and cool yoga pants I've ever had. I always get lots of compliments on them so why not offer them up too? But the funniest and most amusing thing I created, were the eye bags. I always find yoga products to be so serious, either in design or intent so I made these bags with things appliqued on them. Each one will have a story attached. (A shout out to the Torrington Gopher Museum for that idea!) So, for example, the eye bag with the x-ray vision glasses (remember those?) will have a story about using these to help you check out your chakras or maybe the ones of the cute yogini next to you. Stuff like that.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLHyi4I21-9bvIRjXDxywe7ollzfSarzhvAxZhRzKdB-_T7DUiK2Bdj9vNUXFvEWpalszew8imgu-LCDog62rNiobiDtI6me0rV65WYcTFRsfVqb7dC9DAkAFYyUransZ7l56lNX1Z61J/s3200/InspirARTion+(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLHyi4I21-9bvIRjXDxywe7ollzfSarzhvAxZhRzKdB-_T7DUiK2Bdj9vNUXFvEWpalszew8imgu-LCDog62rNiobiDtI6me0rV65WYcTFRsfVqb7dC9DAkAFYyUransZ7l56lNX1Z61J/s3200/InspirARTion+(2).png" height="157" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I need to do other stuff like printing business cards. Getting stuff done online here is a bit dubious so this coming week I'm down to the printers. It will be a pretty simple design, I am just ruminating on what exactly to say on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I went over to The Good Market today to meet with this young couple (www.thebludge.com) who </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have a stall. They are thinking about doing a kind of cooperative for single edition items. They looked at my stuff and seemed to be okay with it. But as I had done no pricing, no nothing there wasn't much more to be said. However I'm back there at 4pm today to do a yoga class outside, should be fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The class was fun but small...just 2 people but we had a big audience for sure! Plus I had managed to put my mat down on the ant trail to the rubbish, we had dogs wandering in and out and helpful suggestions from the crowd! Who said yoga's boring?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of yoga I also managed to pick up some extra class at the local studio. It was fun but it's hard work teaching more than once a day. In Sivananda the teacher isn't supposed to be "doing the class", they are giving the class. However these students for the most part, are newbies so I had to demonstrate most of the moves. I downdogged like a demon! The lovely lass who runs the studio is also interested in seeing my designs. This might actually work out better than The Good Market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole family is planning to leave Sri Lanka this month for divergent vacations. N and his dad are off to Beijing for 5 or 6 days. G is thinking Forbidden City, N is thinking Gucci and Chanel! M and I are off to Singapore. M is such a jetsetter! He is meeting up with a friend of his one day and they will hang out. I am doing a full medical and can hopefully coordinate it so it is on that day. Museum Nerd that I am, I am looking forward to the National Museum and then this design museum called "Red Dot". There isn't much I want to buy except for books,mags and go to a movie. We'll be home soon enough for other stuff though if a pair of shoes doth call my name....!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVSEcjUidg5gz9GN_dehZGzDb1x0rjtfSzjJaTdpl6xU7d5rDgczYdUdl_vfD-q61rWoscTs_38GYDuJsYZr63FwZEeY4eZJNkg8IjijVu36gqSi7uiZ1-BVFofVMubKG6P3tbDFqbKpz/s3200/SAM_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVSEcjUidg5gz9GN_dehZGzDb1x0rjtfSzjJaTdpl6xU7d5rDgczYdUdl_vfD-q61rWoscTs_38GYDuJsYZr63FwZEeY4eZJNkg8IjijVu36gqSi7uiZ1-BVFofVMubKG6P3tbDFqbKpz/s3200/SAM_2554.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My ghetto crocs!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the home front things have cooled down quite a bit. Don't know if that's a good sign but it definitely has made life much more pleasant. I am still anxious about the summer but I've done a lot of reflection and perhaps I'm the change I need to see. Sucks 'cuz I always feel like I have to change but then it's always better to be flexible. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpkR2atRkGPEh7bQ5pX0YaSxBfF2xJjGIoRZjU6NH90XbmPNAQE72cA5S2jR76m-LpR3FBRfqIDhE5dJdhIgnY2sFrEhgBhHky_y4RVdT89oC6fyw-U6PN787-D-l4l3TYx4OdIsCak22/s3200/InspirARTion+(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpkR2atRkGPEh7bQ5pX0YaSxBfF2xJjGIoRZjU6NH90XbmPNAQE72cA5S2jR76m-LpR3FBRfqIDhE5dJdhIgnY2sFrEhgBhHky_y4RVdT89oC6fyw-U6PN787-D-l4l3TYx4OdIsCak22/s3200/InspirARTion+(4).png" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-56480797984948432322014-03-03T21:11:00.001-08:002014-03-03T21:11:24.733-08:00Missing in Action...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPo7uPmlwbqbRZPQiQ3AjfTl7XiVWbNgzhFjkWvdSxL94yL11Ghdwm5039E8BPKCGs0MJQyXnY6G3UHyCsxNpeOaWKniJypQ-FBFk_oCiC34cVOO6SyZSqmn6FzXKeq9Alur09ifQJOiw/s1600/SAM_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPo7uPmlwbqbRZPQiQ3AjfTl7XiVWbNgzhFjkWvdSxL94yL11Ghdwm5039E8BPKCGs0MJQyXnY6G3UHyCsxNpeOaWKniJypQ-FBFk_oCiC34cVOO6SyZSqmn6FzXKeq9Alur09ifQJOiw/s1600/SAM_2478.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking tea and the views in Kandy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoa! What a coupla months it has been. The highs, the lows! The best part was that my sister came to visit. She's really my rock and we verbally groomed each other like primates at a Jane Goodall BBQ. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be interested to hear her opinion of Sri Lanka. Staying for a month is a lot different than flying in and directly hitting the beach. She got the "everyday experience that is my life". Lucky dawg!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank goodness that Suze had read the inflight mag because she knew about the Colombo Perahera. It's Buddhist celebration replete with dancers, acrobats and elephants . It was a pretty incredible sight and we got to see and smell elephants! These are some of my pix. I did get some great shots and perhaps I'll download them later.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AtZOaV3V5YS9U43JVQ0abt1oyXNvLIGi5UQrwfnF5Lo46aSePz_4VYU5xULNA6-cXVJOGcVJb4T3Ck4XCCMisjVE4CPB1nb2zfbmTC7Hd8C4fzzVr4DjcWG-ewUPcv8WKSgPvSMy-ptw/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AtZOaV3V5YS9U43JVQ0abt1oyXNvLIGi5UQrwfnF5Lo46aSePz_4VYU5xULNA6-cXVJOGcVJb4T3Ck4XCCMisjVE4CPB1nb2zfbmTC7Hd8C4fzzVr4DjcWG-ewUPcv8WKSgPvSMy-ptw/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GORGEOUS!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN9qe-YE35ulJ87bi5imBQbxLrgvTxrDiX23_BFRLLdluKWyAAlLGL1BvvKm31OwDPG55_0X09UHHn0UmETyAdbMJMIUMJ1syhyz7cIP2eh4N4cgAoy3zkS4ddAy4LDxt7BuxtwwhUYEa/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN9qe-YE35ulJ87bi5imBQbxLrgvTxrDiX23_BFRLLdluKWyAAlLGL1BvvKm31OwDPG55_0X09UHHn0UmETyAdbMJMIUMJ1syhyz7cIP2eh4N4cgAoy3zkS4ddAy4LDxt7BuxtwwhUYEa/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vglRh4S7WI4zpFyuK0OA6GqZ_ZKqZhkSssQrd5bXo1BCtmjjE67gn7pdZZEmzmM-QeNOXOGu2T0Pqko-h367Z4ZGMaRTuKlOJ45G2K1G75dT8B93x5bigwoPw0EesRc_6_PLLYhGskAe/s1600/IMG_0644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vglRh4S7WI4zpFyuK0OA6GqZ_ZKqZhkSssQrd5bXo1BCtmjjE67gn7pdZZEmzmM-QeNOXOGu2T0Pqko-h367Z4ZGMaRTuKlOJ45G2K1G75dT8B93x5bigwoPw0EesRc_6_PLLYhGskAe/s1600/IMG_0644.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gentleman wearing Kandyian garb astride an elephant.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHyVFqJcBCY16nVhfKoqu1qjBEq6U3rDoAHUc4YAWXGUAGSeOqO3C-aJqPnq-fyN5dWyMeZ-RlS5lSoulccQImTeaUWIzjxP1Hiv0WQ2p16Vo0rEcl10UqYHPoFMvJaxw_yv7XtMPXWwd/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHyVFqJcBCY16nVhfKoqu1qjBEq6U3rDoAHUc4YAWXGUAGSeOqO3C-aJqPnq-fyN5dWyMeZ-RlS5lSoulccQImTeaUWIzjxP1Hiv0WQ2p16Vo0rEcl10UqYHPoFMvJaxw_yv7XtMPXWwd/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzur_RRmaBKaW6jdR1DjPAKkguCqqUVcojPszTrvZwyelNGAV3IbYW3F0N89n7nsWBu9C7OsEFXlzt-7DFU3fXxqIaAD2Eys_5jLu93vPkO9cG2fkx7e-KOzjz67sYfTOwQhEAPFKbqm4x/s1600/IMG_0754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzur_RRmaBKaW6jdR1DjPAKkguCqqUVcojPszTrvZwyelNGAV3IbYW3F0N89n7nsWBu9C7OsEFXlzt-7DFU3fXxqIaAD2Eys_5jLu93vPkO9cG2fkx7e-KOzjz67sYfTOwQhEAPFKbqm4x/s1600/IMG_0754.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn5G1NELBMn21tDBfAy9hnyMXYsNLL3fF433iuwsWbYFM-bLxj9W4SwPuW4je58zhsN-vGXHEWY3j0NzxJB-PRhAIKceTK4uMdFToLLzaRJWIkLxX07Z9dxbEGDHKFS6yvTt8_pXKiXJb/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn5G1NELBMn21tDBfAy9hnyMXYsNLL3fF433iuwsWbYFM-bLxj9W4SwPuW4je58zhsN-vGXHEWY3j0NzxJB-PRhAIKceTK4uMdFToLLzaRJWIkLxX07Z9dxbEGDHKFS6yvTt8_pXKiXJb/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GORGEOUS 2X!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drove up to Kandy. I have never felt more alive than when I was that close to death! It's a real ego boost to drive here and drive sans map (but that was only because I forgot to pack it!) Fortunately there aren't that many roads to Kandy so you'd get there... eventually.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2nrMyc23Qezk5-sU2ovyn225rFWiNvtFn8n5-VHOh1EUQLAXagkoUXfrgflCCL4BN-H6C3m2OFylasdnEgF9GRjY2bsCcY1pK3Z2NFuKJ3xacTS2CaLQiWh6EJ1_6FDpPPuBIn2uLCFZ/s1600/SAM_2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2nrMyc23Qezk5-sU2ovyn225rFWiNvtFn8n5-VHOh1EUQLAXagkoUXfrgflCCL4BN-H6C3m2OFylasdnEgF9GRjY2bsCcY1pK3Z2NFuKJ3xacTS2CaLQiWh6EJ1_6FDpPPuBIn2uLCFZ/s1600/SAM_2424.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tinsmith at the Handicraft Centre in Kandy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yQfPJmK6ur6aF3q31q2JlT-EjTPSLZee4EF95A8KxxdSsWokM9wPzYFJ4hJM0puHinNLcRcl51hmh5cyteo9AdIXcd4i1humCGlCwr0mcJ3LkypIaH-xPDFsl1amXkeKjBV8wa73Q5Cv/s1600/SAM_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yQfPJmK6ur6aF3q31q2JlT-EjTPSLZee4EF95A8KxxdSsWokM9wPzYFJ4hJM0puHinNLcRcl51hmh5cyteo9AdIXcd4i1humCGlCwr0mcJ3LkypIaH-xPDFsl1amXkeKjBV8wa73Q5Cv/s1600/SAM_2432.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He made this in 10 minutes for us and...a small fee!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggREJvcJbm9DsleGZCkV-SieBD2rZt8ErPxlxz-eg0Tkg3OuB88FbTANIipf_oRhcHJ5b_e_f0fqoVVQYY2Di6hiLvnm9yRZe5BGCZ8ddOOsEkXtpRkpCZ2CHzMZHieGuwjera8MdAY8lD/s1600/SAM_2436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggREJvcJbm9DsleGZCkV-SieBD2rZt8ErPxlxz-eg0Tkg3OuB88FbTANIipf_oRhcHJ5b_e_f0fqoVVQYY2Di6hiLvnm9yRZe5BGCZ8ddOOsEkXtpRkpCZ2CHzMZHieGuwjera8MdAY8lD/s1600/SAM_2436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The really funky Olde Empire Hotel in Kandy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6BCIKwTwwLUWAuNsrQUy0KC-RXuwwSaZDey8bMnIMxuAvD-5Tb_mNHMYTVuD0MTlR-rLYmbPD1aFSNNVd2q0V5Sgc1RzPHltUQp2QYZUv30aqoX5he6VFYVSIAWpgyEsinIaKjnIxDtG/s1600/SAM_2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6BCIKwTwwLUWAuNsrQUy0KC-RXuwwSaZDey8bMnIMxuAvD-5Tb_mNHMYTVuD0MTlR-rLYmbPD1aFSNNVd2q0V5Sgc1RzPHltUQp2QYZUv30aqoX5he6VFYVSIAWpgyEsinIaKjnIxDtG/s1600/SAM_2467.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Downtown Kandy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the real highlight for Suze was the train ride to Galle. We had good seats going out but coming back it was packed. Apparently everyone had the same idea to take the early train back to Colombo! No such thing as an original idea!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She lurved Galle and who wouldn't!? It's a lovely old fort town and the streets are, for intents and purposes, closed to motor traffic. So, at night the town is quiet, quiet, quiet! All you do is walk around, poke into shops, nap, watch the sun set, eat, sleep. What could be better than that? We had the best ice cream there at the "Dairy King". He makes it fresh. I had ginger with large chinks of ginger in it and Suze had cinnamon, heavenly. We also met some interesting people. The most notable was a rock star from Canada! He was traveling around after his band's break up. Turns out Suze had heard of them because of a hockey trade between Toronto and Edmonton! Then I googled them and they are Juno award winners (Canada's Grammys). Their band is called "Alexis on fire." Chris couldn't have been nicer and must have been amused by our douffyness! I also remembered that I had had an email exchange from a lady in Galle who owned a design shop. So I emailed her and tried to connect with her during our stay but to no avail! But the funny part was I had just been in her shop earlier that day and fell in love with a banana print shirt (don't ask taste is personal!) as well as her tuktuk pattern pillow case! Weird.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPwglMhc0n2kUe-I3TG_Et3_aJt4g_oZQUBaYWw-AV1E48hXNpWAUwVc5_S3aL34YzrrNm4kfspDuDGnh3vzQc9dJkvmbf6OFnockUwDplVpTKSF7fFMJPrbCsGUCnNhQGq-5QJNvOiHq/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPwglMhc0n2kUe-I3TG_Et3_aJt4g_oZQUBaYWw-AV1E48hXNpWAUwVc5_S3aL34YzrrNm4kfspDuDGnh3vzQc9dJkvmbf6OFnockUwDplVpTKSF7fFMJPrbCsGUCnNhQGq-5QJNvOiHq/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1Xrf7-Ci8Hf-nyAMpDAYbr1zwXLYJW9fRBzHSpKcJpTGIeF1KW9Ta-oIM0oMeZf90pXaxCBuObymZczqrhJ1DhUuwMrLevdxvKFRxHf2YNxmovjXDrjdoLERlV1sy7q5YOG5KiLuugu8/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1Xrf7-Ci8Hf-nyAMpDAYbr1zwXLYJW9fRBzHSpKcJpTGIeF1KW9Ta-oIM0oMeZf90pXaxCBuObymZczqrhJ1DhUuwMrLevdxvKFRxHf2YNxmovjXDrjdoLERlV1sy7q5YOG5KiLuugu8/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also took her to Negombo by the back road and that was very enjoyable. Firstly because the road is good and there isn't a lot of traffic so you need not be so vigilant. We just chilled in the shade and marveled at the various shades of red that went by as the tourists sucked up their last few rays before their trip back home. I, can't for the life of me, figure out why people suntan...it's so bad for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rest of the time was spent kicking around Colombo, finding coffee shops and overdosing on handicraft stores. My sister has an unfathomable capacity for looking at tchotchkes! It's only been 4 days since she's gone but I miss her greatly. It's very quiet!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH85ZCiLUBk-SiCCKUqdsFquB1LKKlWs0YAWxoSgsWmQqkfsoJz_tHWVYjuFBQDp-sp6uOA7xmTIQqzHQ7pxrcxrVLP-F8nUxmvBYeDbkjD_dQ3KesT3Em4Br6QAIUkCNI95JVZKvHfbnr/s1600/SAM_2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH85ZCiLUBk-SiCCKUqdsFquB1LKKlWs0YAWxoSgsWmQqkfsoJz_tHWVYjuFBQDp-sp6uOA7xmTIQqzHQ7pxrcxrVLP-F8nUxmvBYeDbkjD_dQ3KesT3Em4Br6QAIUkCNI95JVZKvHfbnr/s1600/SAM_2401.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqePYHWiWFHe1w0zQG1mcZ6TnrOvJGiHE1IIxmkgVVomkhQctBd9zbxWiiWlAj685v2SYkShCp9bmmACZbEPvQQXVwxrtUmyLXfZA2EMrYgN6hyphenhyphenuHzd03xtQmea7kOtT0A0FiE6msQEGR/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqePYHWiWFHe1w0zQG1mcZ6TnrOvJGiHE1IIxmkgVVomkhQctBd9zbxWiiWlAj685v2SYkShCp9bmmACZbEPvQQXVwxrtUmyLXfZA2EMrYgN6hyphenhyphenuHzd03xtQmea7kOtT0A0FiE6msQEGR/s1600/IMG_0813.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is who she's thinking about!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to get tickets to the "Mardi Gras Ball" on March 1. It was a costume affair and I only had a couple of days to get my act together. I love that kind of pressure because it forces you to be creative and work with what you have. Plus I knew Greg would be on board with whatever I came up. He's a good egg that way! Below are the fruits of my labours!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1Xrf7-Ci8Hf-nyAMpDAYbr1zwXLYJW9fRBzHSpKcJpTGIeF1KW9Ta-oIM0oMeZf90pXaxCBuObymZczqrhJ1DhUuwMrLevdxvKFRxHf2YNxmovjXDrjdoLERlV1sy7q5YOG5KiLuugu8/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHHztT75qey4L1psPsyK6UXFT5YCBKAnJ2IvoYLUxjc_NG5B1YKwKHLZvAGSxvFmIHx48HrGQkfTbmMEX65Ryj2Lf34HQMKn28Txgg_IqRmUo79cFWwpVIyjKYzkGc1-ZAjM8tREDoOPV/s1600/SAM_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHHztT75qey4L1psPsyK6UXFT5YCBKAnJ2IvoYLUxjc_NG5B1YKwKHLZvAGSxvFmIHx48HrGQkfTbmMEX65Ryj2Lf34HQMKn28Txgg_IqRmUo79cFWwpVIyjKYzkGc1-ZAjM8tREDoOPV/s1600/SAM_2546.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CHRmCVw7fE0TiU5r7LbefFkQ7JKGD492stehGLKFqdoxY2UkZcNx2JgqJYz6yjsvKtHep0vyqxGjreUbk1dUKbJk0K2mKPemSNBWS6afa7fCH5g1TelNiXeM61rNSGmibYcgpBKYus8u/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CHRmCVw7fE0TiU5r7LbefFkQ7JKGD492stehGLKFqdoxY2UkZcNx2JgqJYz6yjsvKtHep0vyqxGjreUbk1dUKbJk0K2mKPemSNBWS6afa7fCH5g1TelNiXeM61rNSGmibYcgpBKYus8u/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helping the locals.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z_jqHBZzcDUDOajPiU3-uqpj_yM114ncsul8ShSB-OIITE4tH1Ra51ayH3pGQo8gEducmQFYYUjwDHHl4Nb3pRclrVftKWJgogucVV509cbLc3MLen3CXZ-rZxZJmucGZmZU6XTbrdL5/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z_jqHBZzcDUDOajPiU3-uqpj_yM114ncsul8ShSB-OIITE4tH1Ra51ayH3pGQo8gEducmQFYYUjwDHHl4Nb3pRclrVftKWJgogucVV509cbLc3MLen3CXZ-rZxZJmucGZmZU6XTbrdL5/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, with my sister's encouragement, I'm putting stuff together for my pop up store. I still have quite a few details to work out but I'll keep you posted! I'm excited and terrified at the same time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-54122328343219837212014-01-13T22:32:00.000-08:002014-01-13T22:32:04.989-08:00You just never know who'll you'll meet...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was kind of dying of boredom, (of my own company that is )when I decided to go out and just take some photos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is a Hindu holiday and tomorrow is a Poya (full moon) day so the streets of town are quite deserted. I have never been able to saunter across Duplication Road! Duplication Road in itself, is not so interesting so I went off on the little side roads with names like "Palm Grove" and "Inner Flower Lane" (sounds vaguely pornographic doesn't it?). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Unity Place a gentleman approached me and asked what I photographing and I told him I was admiring all the old houses. Turns out he was also Canadian, having left Sri Lanka 30 years ago. He was Tamil but had been educated in all the British </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">schools here. I got the feeling that he was of the "old boys" network that seems to be here in former British colonies. Anyway, as it is in Sri Lanka, you have the entire family history (all incredibly successful it seems) plus a few complaints about whatever country they've emigrated to within the first 5 minutes of meeting. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHCDyEnbOkQFbK-k64QXzDMdu1fYuSPTppbzApYe1UIl8_P03TIVKWjx6DOyvCneCGT6QpjiQnWUQMvNgS3-23gvcyWXwuMY0pcCjk9gzeU0eeedqLCG7Xlorvy4CPoil0tpRBBjcSg02/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHCDyEnbOkQFbK-k64QXzDMdu1fYuSPTppbzApYe1UIl8_P03TIVKWjx6DOyvCneCGT6QpjiQnWUQMvNgS3-23gvcyWXwuMY0pcCjk9gzeU0eeedqLCG7Xlorvy4CPoil0tpRBBjcSg02/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHc5mFmoQ4TH57lVW7LDeClCSfnLi5yaoHBtKFu-C7klWaK1wbYXzssZQBQCsLKn04v4pQq5Uw67p1Gwc2WlsSNXo3Lk1P4HGpY1OB2CW8gwEDKCNgwjiVXeCdt_d4QXe3u8CsAjZo2_o/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHc5mFmoQ4TH57lVW7LDeClCSfnLi5yaoHBtKFu-C7klWaK1wbYXzssZQBQCsLKn04v4pQq5Uw67p1Gwc2WlsSNXo3Lk1P4HGpY1OB2CW8gwEDKCNgwjiVXeCdt_d4QXe3u8CsAjZo2_o/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story however wasn't your usual doctor/lawyer one. His son is Shyam Selvadurai, a well-known Canadian author who has written several books about the Sri Lankan experience, being gay, being in Canada, family and all that entails! I was totally blown away. This was not what I was expecting on my little sojourn! So it just goes to show you that you never know who you might meet out a walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way, my pictures sucked.</span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-28797464162755356412014-01-05T00:14:00.002-08:002014-01-05T00:14:08.197-08:00A wonderful trip to "wring" out the old...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think this picture sums up everything I feel about our return trip to Malaysia! We stayed at a hotel a block away from our old place on Jalan Madge. It was great, so familiar and easy! Hard to believe that we lived here for only 4 years! Wah! I want to come back!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNwhF3Qo80yGEFkh0KK4FMVT7YslHyacEkjq2ep-uls3j6hmLRpoAdR1YHgjvN4512S63e5gWNfYt1elsQzk0lLW6IIF1tL6X4hfcijb2unRvRQkSYlUWVMlyRtnRhOhvHYB4XAEbAZov/s1600/SAM_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNwhF3Qo80yGEFkh0KK4FMVT7YslHyacEkjq2ep-uls3j6hmLRpoAdR1YHgjvN4512S63e5gWNfYt1elsQzk0lLW6IIF1tL6X4hfcijb2unRvRQkSYlUWVMlyRtnRhOhvHYB4XAEbAZov/s400/SAM_2070.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmUrNDt9UQNJF28TmTggACxdaFbbT7FY6He0wsQfE4sQXGUZZiVD4gAwlKpx-US-vnyK6Af5YnXAsLChScCkDH9EwrSN47W5k5nCPD3rB9nOVrFd9A6YMySDp0RfXlqFI8k8BRao_3IWT/s1600/SAM_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmUrNDt9UQNJF28TmTggACxdaFbbT7FY6He0wsQfE4sQXGUZZiVD4gAwlKpx-US-vnyK6Af5YnXAsLChScCkDH9EwrSN47W5k5nCPD3rB9nOVrFd9A6YMySDp0RfXlqFI8k8BRao_3IWT/s400/SAM_2061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some things never change...Malaysian Flagmen!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Downtown KL was a mess but the kids didn't mind as it was quite incredible shopping. N dropped all his money the first day so the remaining days were a bit flat for him. M is a bit more conservative with his cash and actually came home with some. After KL we got the car and headed up to the Cameron Highlands. (It was lovely to have a vehicle but she had obviously transported durian in it and it always took about 10 minutes for the air con to clear the smell or is that for my senses to deaden to it!) It was good to be back there and the lovely cool air was a welcome respite from KL's heat. G got in some golf and I walked around a bit. A few footrubs were taken as well!</span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_fRn26VWoHJVP0hguhSwzk-VfhaJiD7u1lm1om758wqVdEOky9S3zwUHIk0GTG1cmtwZ-6elxDZgA8d7gixRE6MCm7CtDbX4Na5WWU7agbMjkwliM0MfLR-TAcflec2LyN8HApJdgg5z/s1600/SAM_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_fRn26VWoHJVP0hguhSwzk-VfhaJiD7u1lm1om758wqVdEOky9S3zwUHIk0GTG1cmtwZ-6elxDZgA8d7gixRE6MCm7CtDbX4Na5WWU7agbMjkwliM0MfLR-TAcflec2LyN8HApJdgg5z/s400/SAM_2114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Went for steamboat in Brinchang...slightly dangerous but tasty!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture makes it look all nice and festive but under the centre of the table is the charred formica and the table cloth has a perfectly round centre where it has been burned in previous meals. Plus that tower is a little wobbly!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEcSLVKkUWRhzi10kP-4wUWsXn8g0HICWl_aW-c8ANyIbJUZtKobSdqyhScqJvq7HMnKHSgUAnig_jEl5jyGpvczGqSxUedlD4-tizYlSOJZeKfPpkR_jtekC_S3FaDb4VvSPchGn1Yhz/s1600/SAM_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEcSLVKkUWRhzi10kP-4wUWsXn8g0HICWl_aW-c8ANyIbJUZtKobSdqyhScqJvq7HMnKHSgUAnig_jEl5jyGpvczGqSxUedlD4-tizYlSOJZeKfPpkR_jtekC_S3FaDb4VvSPchGn1Yhz/s400/SAM_2138.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the manor born.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another place we had to hit up was The Old Smokehouse in Tanah Rata. It's a rather decrepit old hotel built like a tudor mansion. One of the few places in Asia where you sit by a fire to await being summoned for your meal. Of course, being "veddy proper" we ate roast beef, yorkshire pudding, and horseradish. It was a delightful meal and brought back lots of memories.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1i3TZ6u0os_qUYdSl71k6O1B-GqtZ4RXGHruiDwrFh8ReNHuRFo0Y4-6Nc1LagP0wm-hdEb4dHh0nEzGTO_P3hdD8P_e_QweglRFGR_TnSa7Ga-k6qZQd_96dfJ5UDHFHDduuBLAAQN/s1600/SAM_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ1i3TZ6u0os_qUYdSl71k6O1B-GqtZ4RXGHruiDwrFh8ReNHuRFo0Y4-6Nc1LagP0wm-hdEb4dHh0nEzGTO_P3hdD8P_e_QweglRFGR_TnSa7Ga-k6qZQd_96dfJ5UDHFHDduuBLAAQN/s400/SAM_2142.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oops! So excited by the sight of beef, I forgot to photograph it before eating.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFYy3X69VfEenRmPSSDghEIQYH7KQ8hgsRXl4JJZkTRQnTEW16AIfzUtPrSQlJKsDar_er-PGG7-iEilI_cSfAaSxkOjabJmSKzV0aCRytpJXVY7JQU8EZmTuKa38JFOXuqisK0awuL8q/s1600/SAM_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFYy3X69VfEenRmPSSDghEIQYH7KQ8hgsRXl4JJZkTRQnTEW16AIfzUtPrSQlJKsDar_er-PGG7-iEilI_cSfAaSxkOjabJmSKzV0aCRytpJXVY7JQU8EZmTuKa38JFOXuqisK0awuL8q/s400/SAM_2240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the rowhouses on our street/jalan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After a long drive out of the Cameron Highlands ( never take the "fast way"), we arrived in Penang and it's not without a certain amount of pride that I say I guided us directly to our hotel sans map! That Geography degree really paid off! We stayed in a different part of town than usual and I'm glad we did. This area was full of old rowhouses. The styles really ranged from elaborate to Art Deco. Their state of repair ranged as well. I put myself to sleep every night dreaming of renovating one. Of course, the reality is more of a nightmare! The people who renovated the hotel were incredible clever and all the rooms had funky found artwork like this. (Uncle Michael please take note!)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBYHg5MOaETw6jkruongMmod0BFZVng2b0GwsDM1T8d88PxqbyYjqIQf0wXMXRwWs2NMKKdcK4SX553_Btiw3W-8tFCHDGXf7KhlkWQdmLe_kX_HCYghqrrOSIkclNafeFV90-ynZ4nkZ/s1600/SAM_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBYHg5MOaETw6jkruongMmod0BFZVng2b0GwsDM1T8d88PxqbyYjqIQf0wXMXRwWs2NMKKdcK4SX553_Btiw3W-8tFCHDGXf7KhlkWQdmLe_kX_HCYghqrrOSIkclNafeFV90-ynZ4nkZ/s400/SAM_2152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCzQy4IoxPfDVh9KmWMN7vkVsxJz56nAqfP7nN4J0eLmyZoOoeIQhN3jONSyx4VNkHOgS6wV2Z1n6U5fnm_okXhl52k-R2gCJGn9YY6SBSV1VfvEQ0ynoJYXfA7gbKl5RF06dhJZo8WhS/s1600/SAM_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCzQy4IoxPfDVh9KmWMN7vkVsxJz56nAqfP7nN4J0eLmyZoOoeIQhN3jONSyx4VNkHOgS6wV2Z1n6U5fnm_okXhl52k-R2gCJGn9YY6SBSV1VfvEQ0ynoJYXfA7gbKl5RF06dhJZo8WhS/s400/SAM_2191.JPG" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now to do all the sightseeing necessary, a gal's gotta have her coffee.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoSWUjUbru698U7xI2HYoYrvXpWY_ljh-zb7i5Ya4MRtXMRB2FBUEj-LGHra4MOBThNyrmSSfRsfTEnWwuvZBIitaV6nP6aFCwa4YlO8E62xhpAs32k_q3U8o_kkcjqkJhmXwMBSvCzND/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoSWUjUbru698U7xI2HYoYrvXpWY_ljh-zb7i5Ya4MRtXMRB2FBUEj-LGHra4MOBThNyrmSSfRsfTEnWwuvZBIitaV6nP6aFCwa4YlO8E62xhpAs32k_q3U8o_kkcjqkJhmXwMBSvCzND/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bowl of noodles helps too.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6jd5wNNehcGmt93qWagc-S76TP25MoNd6lq7uhyTIHeoBRbhYflLxuwn03RwJGRv1EaCEqCEXnjDdtJrPgdVxd_BY2f427leBJsG7e-lL5CQT58DbFRW3RRnJY-5F98_5_2QiZCrhUYK/s1600/SAM_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6jd5wNNehcGmt93qWagc-S76TP25MoNd6lq7uhyTIHeoBRbhYflLxuwn03RwJGRv1EaCEqCEXnjDdtJrPgdVxd_BY2f427leBJsG7e-lL5CQT58DbFRW3RRnJY-5F98_5_2QiZCrhUYK/s320/SAM_2173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't believe G made me work for this holiday..sheesh!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uAuodqpJ7CyN-FEDkhb66pzmSXkZaPAV0X-V6hoLzeE6dTl_-xDkeGWvM1jxHmWdWDzstZ-Hta16DqyFM2CcPsI2zSW04cfWtFa-h6ee0WCoSXdOwZByxDGOgpBI1mTA1s6mA7BU5rwQ/s1600/IMG_0070+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uAuodqpJ7CyN-FEDkhb66pzmSXkZaPAV0X-V6hoLzeE6dTl_-xDkeGWvM1jxHmWdWDzstZ-Hta16DqyFM2CcPsI2zSW04cfWtFa-h6ee0WCoSXdOwZByxDGOgpBI1mTA1s6mA7BU5rwQ/s400/IMG_0070+-+Version+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As if Penang weren't interesting enough, they have created an ArtWalk. In the part of town by the docks, they have painted all these gorgeous vignettes/ghosts/whathaveyou and you can explore the area by following the art. It's very cool and kind of like a treasure hunt. They have also commissioned an ironworker artist to recreate some "Lat*" cartoons with a dash of history and bunch of humour. I didn't include all of them but I did see them all.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMCoKBJG6fCVlP0B5HNUtSUDg3igVBxY0f5p4dKG58m7itKLHWSxu5KIy-a__xlI9iaHA1c3JUuAs8yny9O14t7003a7jPQ5WZg0bDC9vDcRoYRwFPoMy3xb_4wtirWXueGZx4-ZYULdo/s1600/SAM_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMCoKBJG6fCVlP0B5HNUtSUDg3igVBxY0f5p4dKG58m7itKLHWSxu5KIy-a__xlI9iaHA1c3JUuAs8yny9O14t7003a7jPQ5WZg0bDC9vDcRoYRwFPoMy3xb_4wtirWXueGZx4-ZYULdo/s400/SAM_2193.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting a leg up...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR103zpoKDN5XnmcVMCY87eKrdL1L8vyQEYhwLF1sPd2RcXwb09QfNFoROiWzJ_hUzeOT_yVf3MWd58xhVUFTJTgaYpC5idEkdGIkJZec__J5EOOb5-HnspNDI1C7LN-Ib7rhiMqQmxGt/s1600/SAM_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR103zpoKDN5XnmcVMCY87eKrdL1L8vyQEYhwLF1sPd2RcXwb09QfNFoROiWzJ_hUzeOT_yVf3MWd58xhVUFTJTgaYpC5idEkdGIkJZec__J5EOOb5-HnspNDI1C7LN-Ib7rhiMqQmxGt/s400/SAM_2194.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being chatted up.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RHnc8bgynY1XpBKJZ0sojuxR8VkZOb7G_4E_w5oDTqzSj8_jDPdVxjiwXjlT_IVko4JZeJq3SJ2z0tgnwpp4Al_dwgqnX-e5TxiEP3NskYoySCnGpXB_0Eqd4OAP6qcJR43-tSsmErf6/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RHnc8bgynY1XpBKJZ0sojuxR8VkZOb7G_4E_w5oDTqzSj8_jDPdVxjiwXjlT_IVko4JZeJq3SJ2z0tgnwpp4Al_dwgqnX-e5TxiEP3NskYoySCnGpXB_0Eqd4OAP6qcJR43-tSsmErf6/s320/IMG_0097.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zobAPFR_hZoq2fNHjy65N-PehFZbGAr_EBxx5ZNvaa_sA9wHWkGHW5Jd0vLPWO-ietno-Z-iOl1Ow0FfrPXnxhytrFHbJcBkvzaFUM0SLhQ3f6FYau0656kfBlzsuRuu5F9QyA73yatM/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zobAPFR_hZoq2fNHjy65N-PehFZbGAr_EBxx5ZNvaa_sA9wHWkGHW5Jd0vLPWO-ietno-Z-iOl1Ow0FfrPXnxhytrFHbJcBkvzaFUM0SLhQ3f6FYau0656kfBlzsuRuu5F9QyA73yatM/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4ZA15Hky9K8iHDsqLDGwL2VYPvezkzbdgAwA1w1KaRC27ZsR3ByoPoXEjFSj4CHDbY7VMH59HdhmQIA2rJiHr0YiASQVxecHxwhcn5FxO6qP4nC_d-SBhPn1Wbeab9p5GkIordDOgPgO/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4ZA15Hky9K8iHDsqLDGwL2VYPvezkzbdgAwA1w1KaRC27ZsR3ByoPoXEjFSj4CHDbY7VMH59HdhmQIA2rJiHr0YiASQVxecHxwhcn5FxO6qP4nC_d-SBhPn1Wbeab9p5GkIordDOgPgO/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmbYJThbeOaAKuEQ3DxFEIVj_G3mWcgD61bvUlCbAnMAAHwkUA19dNgITn3FAoF2Q3wkETeA4C3Vk8Mk9xV0oLjirFNAV25qXsQrVy0aYJJs4A9dK_iGb6IUAV8XjwzWql5QrEc5kiJxh/s1600/SAM_2157+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmbYJThbeOaAKuEQ3DxFEIVj_G3mWcgD61bvUlCbAnMAAHwkUA19dNgITn3FAoF2Q3wkETeA4C3Vk8Mk9xV0oLjirFNAV25qXsQrVy0aYJJs4A9dK_iGb6IUAV8XjwzWql5QrEc5kiJxh/s400/SAM_2157+-+Version+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to be outdone, my own artistic contribution!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of artistic contributions, I finished my book for "The Sketchbook Project". Submissions have to be in by the 15th of January to be included in a tour. I'm sending mine on a tour of the Pacific Northwest (includes a jaunt into Vancouver). It was fun to do and it did not in anyway turn out the way I had thought. My initial idea turned out to be so constricting and what I thought others would be like that I abandoned it completely. I realized that this was for me so I went and ahead and did what I felt that day. Some stuff good, some stuff okay. However it was cool to participate and be able to say "I'm published and you can find my work in the Brooklyn Public Library."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpvUl5CqzO2sfw0fDIH91nU6X56mXz-qWBCPmBlDHGbmHAqyJSPLSPvSLrL3CKK4XTAbB167Hn5jphwdC975vKTarOIQp5jVcS1hEZgUIyJ_WzK43D75uV_q7UaX4f7Q6dctLd2O59m4B/s1600/SAM_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpvUl5CqzO2sfw0fDIH91nU6X56mXz-qWBCPmBlDHGbmHAqyJSPLSPvSLrL3CKK4XTAbB167Hn5jphwdC975vKTarOIQp5jVcS1hEZgUIyJ_WzK43D75uV_q7UaX4f7Q6dctLd2O59m4B/s400/SAM_2269.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's the cover...quite clever if I do say so myself!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvJkzYvnCY77M5gA6LszUv9LGw59v1B5kV04X-vXdYvnkU4ptEE0H1L7BIVuuV4zqbzXcTOAL2C_Afo0AzqUWTWjKSCiBiyGCv5WWyLa_P2RoxoFq1bB4gHGFVluImsbFA144FsngnrmA/s1600/SAM_2277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvJkzYvnCY77M5gA6LszUv9LGw59v1B5kV04X-vXdYvnkU4ptEE0H1L7BIVuuV4zqbzXcTOAL2C_Afo0AzqUWTWjKSCiBiyGCv5WWyLa_P2RoxoFq1bB4gHGFVluImsbFA144FsngnrmA/s320/SAM_2277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE13qk3_mUIlqm5W4raOXHcgjwQWMedqbFXfeG9HgK_0Sp8TpzBJoAeX_cvdctR0z6EE-W9a8jSMw9OJlHqGprnYkeHSmqi7GX7FEXLewX72l08pn9JNVCZAjZQsBpNVlWjBM6bW1sVTWU/s1600/SAM_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE13qk3_mUIlqm5W4raOXHcgjwQWMedqbFXfeG9HgK_0Sp8TpzBJoAeX_cvdctR0z6EE-W9a8jSMw9OJlHqGprnYkeHSmqi7GX7FEXLewX72l08pn9JNVCZAjZQsBpNVlWjBM6bW1sVTWU/s320/SAM_2278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we're back home in Colombo and looking forward to things. The boys have their "Week without walls" trip coming up. They get to go to various sites around the country and get to know Sri lanka and their classmates better. Of course I am very hopeful that this will help things improve for N but I'm also a realist...sigh! M will be able to use his newly learned diving skills at his site which is very exciting. G and I are going to hit the road and explore a few more places in Sri Lanka. Needless to say, the boys probably won't be too jealous that we get to see the Buddha's tooth and they don't! Then my sister arrives just at the end of Chinese New Year. Busy, busy, busy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's hoping that your holidays were all that you wanted! Happy 2014!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">*Lat is a well-loved Malaysian cartoonist who created "Kampung Boy" and a cast of Malaysian characters. </span></div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-42482209360737137062013-12-17T20:38:00.000-08:002013-12-17T20:38:49.347-08:00I draw the line at Christmas!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just thought I'd share some of the festive work of my youngest. He really is a dab hand and his drawings never cease to make me smile! I love that he draws cards for holidays. So since it is better to give.....I present: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Etchings</span> by <span style="color: #6aa84f;">M</span>&<span style="color: #cc0000;">P</span></u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMFVNQjDCCgv6v-pUL9eFnCgwsRShbUpdnW3eR8i4EWvIS38E7dtQpPDfRYUyTpiYCgJUsCKEOng6o32tqqJYsmPJwc3gI_j9kk7SrM1XxGGPZzTLMOmrQ3w25FOBO2KgLSCtX7-R1HDX/s1600/SAM_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMFVNQjDCCgv6v-pUL9eFnCgwsRShbUpdnW3eR8i4EWvIS38E7dtQpPDfRYUyTpiYCgJUsCKEOng6o32tqqJYsmPJwc3gI_j9kk7SrM1XxGGPZzTLMOmrQ3w25FOBO2KgLSCtX7-R1HDX/s400/SAM_2056.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisegq3hEJdC559GKFudIgUy9ja5fMS-9X_JqG6VN5xtkGYoAGFxKhm1dGpjdyc9e7BWz_4xKseDHK8lcfgGs6tlb-LSbhmGs5paRJb0dx_4jT0iF6Eo0dyRElv6dEaoFPOuYEES4kdwfDa/s1600/SAM_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisegq3hEJdC559GKFudIgUy9ja5fMS-9X_JqG6VN5xtkGYoAGFxKhm1dGpjdyc9e7BWz_4xKseDHK8lcfgGs6tlb-LSbhmGs5paRJb0dx_4jT0iF6Eo0dyRElv6dEaoFPOuYEES4kdwfDa/s400/SAM_2057.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Tm3t6Gr-RXMhaTbqj3gWngGw8rYoxEijWLhTeNnE_QOCOsxL5WL_v8Gk199Z_fGrTusIFYhPgdUSgA2MA4DPiPiWKVKo-6CFt8pfZM4eTUCsnWnipOPB-B3MiaTwFOPIDeZTxgUto41E/s1600/SAM_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Tm3t6Gr-RXMhaTbqj3gWngGw8rYoxEijWLhTeNnE_QOCOsxL5WL_v8Gk199Z_fGrTusIFYhPgdUSgA2MA4DPiPiWKVKo-6CFt8pfZM4eTUCsnWnipOPB-B3MiaTwFOPIDeZTxgUto41E/s400/SAM_2058.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2WduVE7pGOxQk5PhrMlF6Kd9aBVH5YfkJM7ZEGR9DBtKuxAQV8xKqXvs7AIxL-PlTcmlQHZL_EeHd-xKadoZH2gMGYw5GKXJPfCRTSL-jTd36jxHKB382pUxu7qThIn1jztZovnz-owY/s1600/SAM_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2WduVE7pGOxQk5PhrMlF6Kd9aBVH5YfkJM7ZEGR9DBtKuxAQV8xKqXvs7AIxL-PlTcmlQHZL_EeHd-xKadoZH2gMGYw5GKXJPfCRTSL-jTd36jxHKB382pUxu7qThIn1jztZovnz-owY/s400/SAM_2045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not bad for a drive by shooting and only having Sharpies.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS64X8kTinvce9QY8l08C2HHnIb0I6qOVxIq4N4ksUfxR5Gr4z_n4numbO99rs0UGuk7hsCrwUv4XnFCFBA_tagAZkUzvWXEaBvBD_p_Fuay-VUFzLEzPRnHPBetAqyl1PY-MbfcvdvGbU/s1600/SAM_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS64X8kTinvce9QY8l08C2HHnIb0I6qOVxIq4N4ksUfxR5Gr4z_n4numbO99rs0UGuk7hsCrwUv4XnFCFBA_tagAZkUzvWXEaBvBD_p_Fuay-VUFzLEzPRnHPBetAqyl1PY-MbfcvdvGbU/s320/SAM_2049.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I know what Mary is praying for...reconstructive surgery! Look at the noggin' on that kid!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will write soon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-55329855627766864072013-12-10T21:17:00.003-08:002013-12-10T21:17:56.322-08:00Thank you (put your initial here)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xgx2mjZzz4Kt2pNP-Caq24cpp6zeuJZthxnymeDhqagc_dAXs1kMUMmHLjUoGPOxLCwKZbPV22AcP6xhtyxakma1QHYd8-LVZ0t3FsFGgRAis7TbbkYxjamlttXc9V_wZRUJnRHL6v1/s1600/SAM_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xgx2mjZzz4Kt2pNP-Caq24cpp6zeuJZthxnymeDhqagc_dAXs1kMUMmHLjUoGPOxLCwKZbPV22AcP6xhtyxakma1QHYd8-LVZ0t3FsFGgRAis7TbbkYxjamlttXc9V_wZRUJnRHL6v1/s320/SAM_2028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's beginning to look like Christmas even in Sri Lanka! Check out these goodies at the Bread Talk store. All I took away was a photo, no calories!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogGr9wBXZN5053HFG-c5Gqzmk0r9RHVi3dkUvd-uoh0mWY7xQNKY4ittL_UdLaJQp_tcDwQepkVdDpgFd7muxmX3zs2FwTqCKmRqOFPQX6HwrYzzqpxPvOYk47KsCqFCx9XlMW-k4wfGW/s1600/SAM_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogGr9wBXZN5053HFG-c5Gqzmk0r9RHVi3dkUvd-uoh0mWY7xQNKY4ittL_UdLaJQp_tcDwQepkVdDpgFd7muxmX3zs2FwTqCKmRqOFPQX6HwrYzzqpxPvOYk47KsCqFCx9XlMW-k4wfGW/s320/SAM_2036.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't really been doing much. Most activities are winding down for the holidays as people "get outta Dodge". I made a terrible miscalculation this year. I thought the kids got 2 weeks due to CHOGM but no! They get 3...sheeit! I don't want to go anywhere early without G so we're kind of stuck in town until the 22nd. That is, if I live that long!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup, the spirit of Christmas is in everyone except my eldest and I continue to live the "12 hellish weeks of Teenage Christmas"...supply your own lyrics! My youngest is baking like a demon for his friends. He often speaks of perhaps going to a culinary school...cool. He's excited about Christmas and our trip to Malaysia. We've been conferring about which restaurant makanning strategy we'll employ. Anyway it's win-win! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In spite of a little rain on my parade, I've had some good news this week. My sister has bought her ticket out for a visit in Feb...yeah! She's just doing her visa now. I've got my list all made of places I want to go to! It's funny how having someone along with you gives you that "Dutch Courage" to go places or to do things you wouldn't normally do. Perhaps it's the show-off in me. Thank you S!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also really nice was an email from old friend from Korea days, telling me that she had read my blog (yeah, a reader who is not related to me!) and if I needed to commiserate about teenage angst to call. "Wow, it is amazing how that short email made me feel so much better!" I won't call because I'm not a phoner but it wonderful to know she's there. Thank you J!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Further proof to me that I'm not totally friendless was a lovely package I received from R in PoCo. She put together a thoughtful note with leaves (I have to be careful when I open up her cards because something's always falling out!) and a funny little change purse. Thank you R!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also taught a yoga class on Monday. I never know if it was successful or not because I'm always thinking "oh I could've done this or that". It was small group but that was okay because then you get to do more stuff with them. I love how the energy of the room changes when people partner. Everyone gets all twittery! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So even though I thought the week sucked it turned out pretty well...I am lucky.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrNBlOGxFOkBcocjoe1dh8VTwvm2fQRwmmOrircNYjKYp9BFQtfd6ceJ_8RS4Wn6wt-tS1Yt7wVmQ5qBKtmNbyV4gUnlS0ZlCVSO7tvyiOZCKVhO_eFoaji0PJd_YoqUC7rW1bSyHam2E/s1600/SAM_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrNBlOGxFOkBcocjoe1dh8VTwvm2fQRwmmOrircNYjKYp9BFQtfd6ceJ_8RS4Wn6wt-tS1Yt7wVmQ5qBKtmNbyV4gUnlS0ZlCVSO7tvyiOZCKVhO_eFoaji0PJd_YoqUC7rW1bSyHam2E/s400/SAM_2038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my counter was Chrismassy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-51431516477599355362013-11-27T20:51:00.005-08:002013-11-27T20:51:56.628-08:00If a picture can speak a thousand words... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyT-f-6rV0YX6JLszaC7QgbBFx04_owyTDjtz-YABWZFD1kgBFCwsEQmyU_TZRdfQeYF4Y6zghIfM1C0DKIB11hKBf3Rj33UHGZQKoJBO83T5qO7kVvg1p-pasLGtgVVoo73MigxQep3Z/s1600/SAM_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyT-f-6rV0YX6JLszaC7QgbBFx04_owyTDjtz-YABWZFD1kgBFCwsEQmyU_TZRdfQeYF4Y6zghIfM1C0DKIB11hKBf3Rj33UHGZQKoJBO83T5qO7kVvg1p-pasLGtgVVoo73MigxQep3Z/s400/SAM_2026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I've mentioned that the honeymoon is over in previous posts. It's not Sri Lanka's fault, it's nobody's fault, it's life. My eldest is pushing boundaries in a rather stressful and frankly, incomprehensible way. Part of me knows that is what he is supposed to do and it's great that he wants to venture into the adult world but the way he's doing it is disruptive and really not getting him anywhere. Of course, he would disagree with me on that but then again he would disagree with me over the air we breathe.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I come to cringe a bit when I go to open my email. I'm actually hoping for spam rather than a message from school, that's how bad it is. I am grateful that G is really stepping up to the plate on a lot of this. But I am the first line, I will always be the first line and I have to be honest I DON'T GET IT.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Warning to any teen readers: the following is a typical parental lament. You can return to the normal blog post after the jump!) </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked him what is so horrible about his life, school. his parents. I really wanted to know. I can't change everything but I figure knowing is half the battle. He really couldn't give me an answer other than he hates moving. He wants what we had, the stability of living in one place whilst growing up. I tried to impress upon him that we chose this life because of what it ultimately offers. I realize that doesn't hold a lot of water for a 15 yr. old...I get it. He has idealized Seattle and life there to the point where it's become mythical. Again, totally normal but he won't allow for the sad fact that life moves on, people move on, you have to move on or be left behind. I tried to get this across by referring to the last scene in one of our favorite movies "Stand by me" the one where the kids go their separate ways after that one incredible, intense weekend. How those people, the ones you swear will be friends forever just become faces in the hallway, ghosts of your past. Even as I write, I know that he has got to learn this himself. He won't acknowledge that he is changing, life in Seattle is changing, that's the way it goes. He clings on to the past..understandable. So where does that leave us? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course there are other issues, he is a pretty complex character - that's what is going to help him have a great, rich life. Like any parent I want to give him the tools to realize that life. I don't want to dictate it, my period of dictating is drawing to a close( but I do have a few "further mores" to add! Duh!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't think that I would have to learn so much at fifty. "What the hell I have been doing for the past 50 years?" I know that other people are going through this and frankly, some of them are going through worse things. Still, I wish I had someone to talk to who wasn't at the school. It's a small place and having worked at a school I know what happens in the lunchroom. The biggest shock though is the loss of my sense of humour, I feel so grim and I hate that. I love my family, I want them to be happy, I want to be happy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to do...what to do?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6595741969705666027.post-19070840100166102842013-11-21T21:23:00.000-08:002013-11-21T21:23:05.355-08:00The Sketchbook Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0CmGwnI_fDMYKSEwwxK5Orcu8uXb3DYdu7cdb7dXg6h1vTFvgCiwlRJTxxx2oZXwA7sXPckfTA4zX5cX1rkgj52E2-R-HQVtSsyT53_GpWTaItGgtlDE5h2rx3bqGAL_ENmS4tXTAqNq/s1600/SAM_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0CmGwnI_fDMYKSEwwxK5Orcu8uXb3DYdu7cdb7dXg6h1vTFvgCiwlRJTxxx2oZXwA7sXPckfTA4zX5cX1rkgj52E2-R-HQVtSsyT53_GpWTaItGgtlDE5h2rx3bqGAL_ENmS4tXTAqNq/s320/SAM_1942.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After much hemming and hawing I decided to join <b>The Sketchbook Project</b>. It is a project created in conjunction with the Brooklyn Public Library and a group called Art House Projects. The idea being that people can get one of these books and record their life/mission/adventures/whatevah the way they choose. These are then submitted to the library, catalogued and put onto caravans that tour the country. People can take them out and enjoy what others have done. You can choose a theme or just write (from what I gather!). It is a neat way to engage with other people, artists and the public library system. Sounds right up my alley!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I sent off my money and waited quite excitedly, I must admit! I don't think that there will be high demand for my work but it's fun to be a part of something big like this. Besides chronicling my life seems to be the thing I'm into right now. So you can imagine my dismay when this arrived in the mail!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl40jt626WqZ4_scsYCUGqbwJJFwPvX80Z3Roee5XbNu5uszLFU0RSQeTrFtlGA8x9uaeHQNWfOz2Wwl9ibIgXDv2jyosNYzP-AJs1pxqhUeCFxOZMmEn7AaL_yzl1BtwrpS7lX0-kVwbX/s1600/SAM_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl40jt626WqZ4_scsYCUGqbwJJFwPvX80Z3Roee5XbNu5uszLFU0RSQeTrFtlGA8x9uaeHQNWfOz2Wwl9ibIgXDv2jyosNYzP-AJs1pxqhUeCFxOZMmEn7AaL_yzl1BtwrpS7lX0-kVwbX/s200/SAM_1943.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P8U4ZyNPKj2wrFhFhueaZkd07BAChv3dJKAVZn9xRCtc8pzkkUZ1-1B49wMpHzBVxEM_81J6AsF3qj6dpbtEIsD7ykItPWOY2SZ_8dxvbTlt_8B3A7zLTH5QeJ6t6K2H8iibf7G3SgFO/s1600/SAM_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P8U4ZyNPKj2wrFhFhueaZkd07BAChv3dJKAVZn9xRCtc8pzkkUZ1-1B49wMpHzBVxEM_81J6AsF3qj6dpbtEIsD7ykItPWOY2SZ_8dxvbTlt_8B3A7zLTH5QeJ6t6K2H8iibf7G3SgFO/s200/SAM_1944.JPG" width="150" /></a> It came on a rather tense day so this just added insult to injury. "Why would you have to open this when it is clearly a paper product and then drop it in water?". Yup, that's what they did and we know how much paper lurves water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm still bummed! If any of you write, you know the physical pleasure of opening up a new notebook and smoothing out that first page and having the pristine paper accept the black ink from your quill-like Sharpie. It is exquisite! But alas, not for me! So I dried it out as best I could and now have to work paper the texture of Melba Toast! (dating myself there). So what do you do when something like this happens? Well, I've decided to work with it and call it "Water log(ged)". Quite good I think and it makes me laugh, albeit ruefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I have another book in the works as well. There is an area here in Colombo called "Slave Island"(sounds spooky, I know!). It's a very historic, culturally and religiously diverse neighbourhood. The name, the crowded conditions, the poverty all make it a rather daunting place for me to venture but it's vibrancy draws me. It also has the unfortunate benefit of being close to downtown and the new developments that are now starting to come online. Already we've seen the loss of the <b>Elephant House Cold Storage Godowns</b> and sites are trained on the rest of the area. So I'm trying to document what's left of the area in a book for G for Xmas. I got the idea from a store called "Barefoot". The grandson of the owner published a book about the colour of Sri Lanka. As I flipped through it I thought, "my shots are as good if not better than these", so I decided why not make one for G?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not such a great photographer but I want to learn. One thing I think about photography is that you have to anticipate, react and then be patient to make sure you got the shot. Quite often this means approaching people and asking their permission. Argh!! I'm a big chicken shit! You wouldn't think so, but I am! So me venturing into this neighbourhood really took some cajones. I was so happy I did! I was handsomely rewarded! People couldn't have been nicer and and friendlier. It's the kind of place where as soon as there is a new face everyone knows so I'm sure my presence preceeded me! Lots of people very kindly let me take their photos. But being a little freaked out, I didn't get all the shots I saw in my head. That's where I'm running into problems. I can see it in my head and aim the camera toward it, but I can't capture it because I don't have the technical knowledge or the patience. It's incredibly frustrating but on the up side I am going to go back and take some more shots from a different angle. I also want to see if I can find this one woman and her baby, I took such a nice shot of them I want to give her a copy. I hope that's not too creepy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would include some of my photos but I don't want to spill the beans about G's Xmas present. Yeah... he occasionally looks at my blog. Whoo hooo!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Peggy Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320023971705895482noreply@blogger.com0