My second trip to Sri Lanka

When I went to Sri Lanka on Sept 11, it felt really good.

Its one of those events which forces you to wrap up as much of your responsibilities as humanly possible, and then take off for a week with the sole purpose of writing a story. I could take things a day at a time. I could see the magnificent beaches that face the indian ocean. I didn't get to see the stars littered across the black velvet sky because the skies were cloudy this time. The green padi fields took on a brownish tinge as harvesting season was over. The security in the east got much higher, with alot more sandbags lining the various checkpoints, and this time, the guards were clothed in full military attire, helmets included. Armoured vehicles could be seen in the streets.

Going back after 3 months, the change was obvious. Except Navaldy, a village in Batticaloa that I was working at for my story. Debris was still all over the place. Basically, my story is going to be about the debris clearance, so I only took notice of trash. Heh. Almost everybody I met, our conversation turned to trash.

Sure enough, Prof Shyam took us back to the east. Some of us had to travel about 2-3hrs from Ampara, worked for 3-4hrs at Batticaloa, and then drive another 2-3 hrs back to Ampara. There was a curfew for us to reach our van at 4pm everyday, imposed by Shyam, because his sources told him we had to be back a Ampara at 6pm. We saw Sri, our local guide, again. I totally adore Sri. There's something in him that makes people trust him. I wish I could be like him in that way. Sri and Shyam are really good photographers. They capture the moments so beautifully. Shyam took pictures of us when we dozed off in the van. I never imagined photos of us sleeping could look so interesting. Same when Sri took pictures of keith and his interview subject. They looked like they were flirting with each other very openly. Haha. I wonder when I'll ever see Sri again. And Shyam too, bcos once I graduate, I wonder if I'll keep in contact with him. Then again, if my FYP falls thru, maybe i'll stay back another year...wuhahaha.

Sri told us about how we ought to be grateful to our support network, like the translators and drivers.I am writing the story here because I am afraid I might forget it. It was one of the saddest stories I have heard. It was about him and a New York Times reporter called Amy, doing a story about the LTTE's child recruitment policy. He said for that story, he had a driver who was with him. They have travelled for 18hours and had not eaten. So that night, while they were trying to sleep hungry on a double decker bunker, his driver, who was on the upper bunk, said

"Sri, I got something to tell you Sir."

"Yes, please tell me. You can tell me anything."

"its my birthday today sir".

"Really? You know, its my birthday today too. Tell me what you would like for your birthday?"

"I would like to learn to speak english like you and amy, sir."

So Sri told him how he would get him a Sinhalese-English dictionary once they got back to Colombo. After the assignment, Sri said he earned quite a bit, and set aside US$100 for the driver, while Amy set aside US$150. They were waiting for the driver to complete his next assignment, and arrive in Colombo. But Sri read in the papers that the driver and his jeep went missing, and that he was probably killed. After Sri said that, we were in complete silence for quite a long time. Almost uncomfortable having to handle negative emotions like that. Sri smiled, but it didn't seem to lift the gravity of his story.

My experience in Sri Lanka. I still can't put it in words. I didn't write about it the moment I came back, because I was transcribing my interview notes, and thought that I would have some conclusive thoughts about it later. Day after day passed, and all my work found me again. And then I thought about my trip. I guess I learnt more about myself. My flaws, my strengths, my inability to handle what I thought I could. Tho I was kinda proud of myself that I could now ride in a van for 11 hrs across high altitude (in Kandy) without puking. I am even used to the exhaust. I ate with my hands, drank ginger tea from villagers who used dubious water sources. I think my stomach must have got stronger. Haha.

Well, so now I am back in Singapore for almost a week now. I am thinking about my translator(another Sri), because I guess I made a friend after working with him for 3 days. I also met an Nesha, who works for USAID. He was in charge of the Batticaloa Lagoon cleaning project, and I had to meet up with him to ask him about the project. It turned out he was from Sri's University (Eastern University), just like the many other NGO workers and govt office workers which turned out to be my translator's friends. I was kinda amused because he meets his coursemates, juniors and what not everywhere. Sometimes, I get a bit frustrated because I had to try to remember names I would forget only a second later.

Wonder how they are all doing now. And I better follow-up on my story soon, before the raw feeling disappears.

I'll post photos once they are uploaded. Look forward to them. Heh