Swimming and G's big race!!!

Swimming galore. On saturday they held the annual swimming competition in the village, which was a big event. Graham was lucky enough to spend all day standing in the hot sun starting the races.... I snuck off after about 10 mins - if you've seen one race you've seen 'em all, but Graham knew the kids from swimming coaching so it was different for him I guess.

G presenting the medals...

Sunday was another swimming tastic day - Graham and the teenagers he has been coaching entered a 2km sea-swim in Amblangoda. It was a massive event - 300 entered from across Sri Lanka.

G and the boys of "Seenigama Aquatic Club"!

Check out the cloth swimming cap....

Graham was the only white person which made it easy as a spectator - spot the pale arms...

He did well and finished in just under 23 mins, which put him 9th overall and 1st in the oldies category (over 21's). He was presented 2 trophies (we've no idea why 2) - his Seenigama boys were disappointed that he wasn't 1st overall, so we're be back next weekend for the 2 mile swim to see if he can do better next time!!

Anyway, enough swimming chat!

I am also loving it here. Have also been teaching English, helping at the pre-school and doing other stuff that is more like proper work. Am doing a donor leaflet to help raise more money to build basic computer and teaching facilities in more remote villages (as so much stuff has been done here already that they are now looking to spread a smaller version of this to other areas).

Am also working with a couple of others on the Womens Enterprise, which is hugely interesting. They offer free training in sewing but the women are finding it hard to make a living with these skills. A big problem is that most of what they make is really old fashioned or grim (like lace table cloths or garish clothes) - so we have been helping them with new designs for tops, cushion covers, bedspreads etc (and basically other stuff that we like!). We have also spoken to a guy who owns the Next factory out here (who conveniently is the founders cousin) so and he is gonna send some advisers to help. So they are making the new samples - after which the plan is to market the stuff in Colombo and local hotels and boutiques. Most of this will happen way after I'm gone, but it is good to be involved at the outset.

It is an amazing experience here but also frustrating at times - we have had to get used to "Sri Lankan time", as nothing ever happens on time... if someone arranges a meeting at 2pm it basically means anytime after lunch and before dinner. The language barrier is also a huge issue - most people don't understand English but they don't like to disappoint so they always nod or agree, so you have no idea what is going on half of the time. The work ethic also is pretty much non-existant so it takes ages to get anything done. And communication in general is severly lacking - Graham has often turned up to swim at 7am and found that the others decided upon a different time without telling him. But the positives are far outweigh the frustrations - most of the people are super friendly and welcoming. We can't walk down the road without people stopping us to say hello. And the kids are amazing and super keen to learn and they love just being able to speak English at any opportunity. We have also been invited to a few peoples houses for dinner and were taken on a boat trip by the English teacher the other day.

So thats us! We are safe and well - the LTTE are doing everything they can to cause disruption with 3 bombs in the last two days and more expected today as it is Independence Day. It really seems like the government are fighting a loosing battle - they hope to gain control by April, but it remains to be seen.... However, we feel totally safe here though and avoiding going on public transport (worry not parentals!).

Hope everyone is well at home! x