Colombo Orientation

October 22, 2012
We had a wonderful time in Thailand enjoying its many wonders and dynamic culture, but after living out a suitcase for a month, we were anxious to get to our new home and unpack. But first we had to navigate the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.

Breakfast at Serindib Guest House in Negambo

Battika and Hillary our Serindib hosts

After collecting our 2 huge suitcases from our guest house in Negombo and a good nights sleep, we hit the road at 7 am in order to make our 9 am appointment in Colombo just 30k away. Traffic was intensely congested, moving like molasses, and we were still 1/2 hour late. This was in spite of traffic cops every 1/2 block frantically waving their white gloves.

Dr Gamini Fonseka, our University of Ruhuna host, met us at the hotel and we headed back into the chaotic streets via tuk-tuk to get Jenise's visa. This was an amazing experience and lesson in Sri Lankan culture. Our first stop was at the National Department of Education to get a letter that had been signed and sealed by the head stating that he approved of Jenise working in Sri Lanka. After tea and chit chat, we headed to the immigration office, which was amazing. Just to get to the right floor we had to go up 2 flights of stairs, down one flight and then up 3 floors in a tiny elevator. The place was packed with babies crying, everyone sweating, and it was very clear no one had any idea what to do or where to go. After waiting about an hour in something that was sort of a line, Jenise was told she had to have a form. So she went back and filled out a form and stood in line again only to find out it was the wrong form. After filling out the right form, she went to the front of the line, but the office had closed and the line had moved to the next office where no one knew her, and everyone in the line was mad because she went to the front. After several hours and several windows she was told to come back in 3 days, and they would keep her passport. Given the disarray of the process this was a scary thought and we wondered if she would ever see her passport again. To our great relief, three days later we were able to collect the passport, and her resident visa after only 2 hours of windows, lines and numbers.
We felt like we had won the lottery.



The American Embassy booked us into a 200 year old institution the Galle Face Hotel. Built by the British Empire for dignitaries including the Queen of England and Anton Chekov. We had a room overlooking the Green right on the ocean. The grounds of this hotel are a refuge from the noise and pandemonium of the streets. We took full advantage of the pool and the abundant array of food they served for breakfast and high tea. The hotel is also a favorite place for weddings and their many some starting at 7am if that was the auspicious time that the astrologer had given them. It was great fun to see all the beautiful saris and the great traditional dress.

Galle Face Hotel

Galle Face hotel grounds

Egg hoppers a Sri Lankan favorite

Bride and bridesmaids in saris

Groom Kandy Style

Several days of training at the Embassy and many, many meetings got us prepared for our life in Sri Lanka. Aruni, our Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Assistant, took us in hand and explained as much of the culture to us as she could including the head bobble which means I don't want to say yes or no.