[Warning! This holiday story is extremely boring...]
I should know - I wrote it! For those who don't want to go through the entire document, here are the highlights
Of the total 'holiday' of 50 days,
During this period, seven short stories were completed.
I always enjoy visiting Kandy in the March-April period. The planned 2020 visit had the following attractions.
It was all mapped out.
Of course things do go wrong. As they say, bad luck comes in threes:
Arrived in Colombo midnight. Wasantha (Riverside8On12 Manager) picked me up and drove straight to Kandy [Thankfully, not to the quarantine camp in Diyathalawa!]
Long queues at the airport for immigration. Quite a few temper-flares about the Health Declaration form and length of queues and processing time (all long except temper). Immigration officers were friendly and cheerful despite some hostile clients. I was chatting with a charming fellow in the queue. We discussed how people get angry about the slightest thing and how things would move so much quicker if people just filled the forms and let the immigration people do their work in peace. However, when he fronted up to the desk, they found that he had filled the wrong form. After a few appeals for clemency, he trotted off to fill the correct from (and to the back of the long queue). We didn’t look at each other as he walked past.
Very little traffic on the road. Arrived home around 3.30am (it’s Friday 13th March – another omen?). It always feels like ‘home’ here; my ‘other home’ is a long way away.
Had a cup of tea and slept for three and a half hours. After I woke up Wasantha drove me across the river to Evakka’s place for breakfast. I always have breakfast there on the day I arrive in Kandy. Until recently Punchi Aiyah was my breakfast companion – another member of the family to depart this world recently. He was my hero and my mentor - still miss him a great deal.
From there I went to see Devi Akka (more tea and chat) and walked back to Evakka’s for lunch. Wasantha had driven Manesha into town and they weren’t back by 2.00pm. I just wanted to have lunch, go home and sleep! I walked to Nimal’s place while waiting for Wasantha but nobody was home.
This is my standard ‘first-day-in-Kandy’ routine; Visit the three houses of those nearest and dearest to me and come home to sleep after lunch.
There was some beer and Arrack in the house (bought on my request). So Wasantha and I had a drink in the evening and ate food he cooked. Early to bed. End Friday 13th (and nothing really bad happened!)
[Edited extract from email to Marg on 13th March
… Slept from 4.00-7.30am and 3.00-4.00pm. Visited Evakka, Devi Akka and Nimal’s place but nobody home. Returned home around 2.45 (Wasantha did some shopping for me and gave me some money too – is he my keeper as well as manager?)
I have a heavy head and sniffles and a sore throat. If it persists will see the doctor tomorrow (after all, that’s what Peter Dutton had). Covid19 is THE story here – schools are closed till 22nd of April; the English cricket team has called off the series and is going home (the chances are that there wouldn’t be a school ‘big match’ for me to go to either); there’s a run on everything in the shops from rice and lentils to many Ayurvedic medicines (coriander, garlic, tumeric etc. included).
Niroshini’s mother died here and Nangi tells me that Chamara and family are expected later today. I will go to the funeral (if well) on Sunday. Next weekend is Nimal’s Pirith and daane – see how things pan out.
I think we will see how things develop before you come… I may even come back early (don’t want to be in Kandy by myself for six months!).
It’s awfully hot (of course I am used to it!) but it’s not too bad right now as the sun has gone behind the clouds and there’s a slight breeze.]
Saw the doctor Saturday morning (surgery about a 0.5km away but he lives two doors down from me).
[Edited extract of email to Marg
Went to the doctor this morning at 7.15. He gave me some tablets etc. (after questioning me about how I felt and when it all stared etc.). I’m to rest today and have plenty of fluids… (All normal stuff) and he will do a blood test tomorrow. Based on the results he will tell me whether to go to the hospital for testing or not (I’m hoping for the ‘not’). I am resting today (reading, sleeping and (possibly) writing. Will call you when I have more info…
[Edited extract from email to Marg
I agree that it’s probably not Covid19 that I have – but the sleep this morning is doing me good. Had more than two hours in two stints (just got up at 12.15). Niroshini’s mother had been ill for a while (kidneys acting up) but the death was entirely unexpected. I will be at the funeral tomorrow at 3.15 (same cemetery as Punchi Aiyah’s.]
Quiet Sunday morning – just having a look at the front yard. Wasantha has done a good job with the flower beds. Went to Niroshini’s mother’s funeral at Mahaiyawa. Met quite a few people – Rajaguru Clan, Panduka, Mahinda, Palitha’s wife Waji etc. That was the main event on Sunday.
Evening just like Saturday; drink & dinner with Wasantha and early bed. Spoke with Soumya & Anuradha about Nimal’s daane. Still planning to do it but perhaps only taking daane to the temple.
Went for my first walk this trip Monday morning. Didn’t pull up too badly despite not having walked for almost a week.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… Went to the funeral yesterday and met Niroshini and family. They are heading back on Saturday because of Nelika’s NAPLAN. Went for my first walk in quite a few days. No problems – did 6.4k in 1hr 6min (not bad for a recovering sickie huh?) Having another quiet day today more poetry editing.
They have declared today as a public holiday and the covid-19 message is everywhere. One innovation is that on the Dialog mobile network that I use, when you dial somebody, instead of the sound of the phone ringing you hear a hygiene advice in three languages about covid-19. Other networks probably do the same. The infection count in SL is 12 (no deaths) and the bulk of them are those returning from Italy (there is a place north of Negombo called ‘Little Italy’). Will write more later…]
Another walk on Tuesday. Feel good.
Big news of the day – Marg’s thinking of cancelling her trip to SL – I don’t blame her. I will have to check the status of my flights too.
Walked again on Wednesday morning but there was a bit of excitement today.
When I returned there were two police officers waiting for me. It is most likely that somebody tipped them off that there is a person who arrived from overseas in their midst – and I don’t blame them for doing it. Their advice was to register with the police as a recent arrival. After trying a whole swag of numbers, the only way to register with police was by email.
[Edited extract of email to Police
I arrive in Sri Lanka this month and am hereby registering with Sri Lankan police as requested. My details are as follows:
Name: (Me)
Passport No.: xxxxxxxx [I am a dual citizen (Sri Lanka and Australia) and have only an Australian passport]
Date arrived: 12/03/2020
Flight: SQ468
Current Address: 8/12 Riverside Gardens, Sirimalwatta, Kandy
Current Phone: 0771 739 177
Comment: I tried to phone but the numbers were busy. I hope this email meets the registration needs.]
Although I was told that the PHI would visit me that day, he didn’t.
Marg has cancelled her trip (had to accept credit with SIA for the next trip). I chatted with her about me trying to leave Sri Lanka immediately but her advice was to stay a bit longer (two months if necessary as I arrived in Kandy only five days ago). Although I had already told family that I would leave immediately, I informed them of the new plan of staying a bit longer.
[Edited extract from Email to Marg:
Have told the family that I’m not leaving immediately. They are happy but not so about you not coming; they do understand the reasons and are supportive. Went to town for the first time – just to get some money. It’s still fairly crowded despite all warnings. They check your temperature as you enter the City Centre and there are taps and soap outside the bank; everybody scrubs up before going in! Hand washing appears to be accepted as the norm. ]
Went for my walk again Thursday morning (as it turned out, my last one for six weeks! It’s a bit concerning.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
The public health inspectors visited me just as I was returning from my walk. The upshot is that I will be confined to the home till the 27th (Missing Nimal’s daane etc.). I will actually abide by this (they check; and worse still, neighbors report to the police about ‘those who have recently arrived from overseas’). So that’s my life for a week. After the week, I may catch up with my writer friend (Kapila - he rang last night) and Udda.]
[Edited extract from email to Leah:
…I’m confined to quarters till the 27th (two weeks from arrival – had visits from police and public health officials). So I’m missing Nimal Aiya’s daane and other social functions.
…I have asked people not to visit me during the housebound period (Wasantha is the lifeline). Have plenty of beer though. I’m not allowed even to go for a walk! But this is what I see out the front door – not too bad.]
No more walking or moving beyond the gate from now on.
The funny thing is, they didn’t tell us about any of this self-isolation stuff at the airport. They just asked whether we had a fever etc. and we signed bits of paper to the effect. Had they told us, I would have been in isolation from 13th (doing the right thing. But deep down, I am glad I didn’t know so I could see some people at least once and get in a few walks!).
I am very impressed by the way police and PHIs go about their business; polite but firm.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… SL Broadcasting (national, commercial and regionals) are transmitting lessons for Primary and AL grades – not a bad idea.
Wasantha just rang from a supermarket to say that curfew has been declared throughout the country from 6pm today till Monday. It’s going to be a very quiet weekend! I also had a call from the Medical Officers, checking up to see if I were home, and to say ‘stay put till 27th‘ – ever so polite but no doubting their word is law.]
Chamara and Niroshini and kids got away on Friday. Nikila drove them to the airport and they had a Colombo-Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne-Perth trip with two kids. Brave people!
[Warning! Commercial coming – The writing I talk about throughout is where I publish my stuff online - at karoonka]
Spent most of the day updating the website, removing all poems (10) to do with ‘Goniyawa’ (to convert them to a series of short stories to be compiled into a book when I have a few more). Edited some poems. It’s kind of satisfying to write while listening to music.
What music I listen to in the evening depends on whether Wasantha is here or not. He likes Amaradeva and Nanda Malini as well as Clarence and CT just as much as I do. If I’m alone, I also listen to Enya or Norah Jones as well as some classical stuff according to the mood. It’s nice on the dark balcony (with only the kitchen light on) listening to music looking towards the Mahaweli (and with a drink in hand for preference).
Had Pandula dropping in two consecutive nights. It was good to speak with real people rather than a computer. He is good company.
The main event on Sunday was the Messenger videoconference with Leah and family. It’s good to see the grandkids thanks to modern technology. Should do it more often.
Wasantha and Manesha helped Soumya and Anuradha with daane to Gangarama Temple. I didn’t go (still in isolation). Police gave them permission to drive to the temple.
Had an email saying my debit card that we use when overseas has been hacked in Tanzania where somebody tried to withdraw 400,000 Tanzanian Shillings (AUD 268). The upshot was that I can’t withdraw any money and Citibank was sending the new card to Brisbane. I had to ask Marg to transfer some money across to my BOC account. Just hassles!
Quick action by [Warning! Commercial coming – Serendib Financial Services in Melbourne] Serendib with whom I had dealt earlier saved the day for me
Marg asked me to check on my supplies of medication (in case I had to stay in SL longer). Medication is something we oldies have to think about! She sent me copies of the prescriptions just in case.
[Edited extract from email to Marg (sent on Tuesday 24th):
…What medicines I have will take me to end of April comfortably. I will talk to Nikila about replenishing at a later date. As you may realise, I’m still planning to be back by end of April… more on that later
I was checking airlines and flights to Brisbane last evening. Couldn’t get far with SIA but did searches with other airlines. I could come to Brisbane via Melbourne for $1300. Anyway, I sat on the balcony with a beer, listening to Norah Jones and up comes Wasantha with a plateful of ‘Ambul Thiyal’ he had just cooked, especially for me. ‘Have a beer’ I say and he says he’ll come back after his shower. But 10mins later, before he gets in the shower, he delivers a plate French fries done just right! And I thought “Oh, you do suffer, don’t you!”
For all that, I still feel that I should be back home sooner rather than later. What with curfews and travel bans here, there is not a lot to do except writing (which is going OK). After self-isolation finishes I will visit Evakka and Devi Akka and also Punchi in Kiribathkumbura (but not to stay a night). Beyond that, it’s an occasional trip to town and home…]
A word about medication – Wasantha needed some of his medication and he was driving to the pharmacy when the army (or was it police? I forget) stopped him. He told them that he was going to pick up his medication. The officer then gave him a number to call for medicine. The tablets were delivered to the house the next day! Well done everybody!
Tuesday to Thursday were reading and writing days. Managed to complete a new story (sort of related to home isolation) and published it as යෙහෙළියෝ. This is the first piece of new writing completed during this ‘holiday’. Sent the completed story to Pushpa – the new ‘reader of my writing’ after Nimal.
Started Friday with a call to Marg telling her what’s happening in SL. As new information arrived I emailed updates to her.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… and movement between districts is banned completely (including transporting tourists). So I can’t go from the Kandy district to Negombo (where the airport is) – I’m sure there’s an out for those leaving the country… Agricultural workers (including those doing tea and other export crops) are exempt from the curfew…]
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
Just spoke with the health authorities – my quarantine finishes tomorrow and I can go for a walk the day after – small mercies. I asked them whether I get a piece of paper saying that I have done my ‘time’ – he says ‘of course sir’ how do I get it - ‘I deliver it to your home sir and you will need it if you ever go overseas, you wouldn’t be let out without this!’ How good is that?
… Not a lot else. Wasantha is not back yet – hope he gets the bread. I bought a polos from a vendor walking down our lane. It was worth it for the asking price of Rs.75 (I paid 100) …]
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… Curfew again from 2.00pm today till the 30th – bugger!]
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… Walking is off. Curfew until 7th April (with short periods for shopping) – it might even go beyond New Year (logical that) – bugger!]
Received an email from my old friend Peter in Brisbane on Friday 27th, enquiring after how I was progressing.
[Edited extract from email to Peter:
…My self-quarantine ends today. So, theoretically I should be able to go out, health-wise. However, there is a curfew in effect until Monday morning (housebound for the weekend!). The story is that the curfew would go on till 7th April and may be beyond, with 6-10 hour windows here and there for people to do their shopping for essentials. This is a country in near-complete lockdown, including travel bans between districts. While we have experienced island-wide curfews before, this is unprecedented. On the positive side though, only 106 positive cases of covid-19, no deaths and 7 recovered (no cases yet in the Kandy district where I am).
We haven’t had much trouble getting food (or toilet paper!) but daily-paid workers are the hardest hit. There are some relief packages from Government but I have no information with respect to their adequacy or penetration into the population. There is a lot of delivery services that bring your groceries home (ordered by phone) and one of the novel approaches is that local governments, cooperative stores, supermarkets etc. have employed local tuk-tuk drivers as deliverers…
... Schools and universities are closed and radio and tv deliver classes …
....Telcos are giving free Internet to all students and Unis are doing quite a bit of online delivery too (haven’t seen any myself though).
My return flight has been cancelled and I have no indication as yet as to when I may be able to get back home. I will be trying other airlines after the 31st (when SIA is supposed to respond).
That’s the story here – no visitors, no visits; just sit on the balcony, listen to music and have quiet one. Incidentally, I did finish a short story on self-quarantining and published it online – something to do.]
A good friend of Susan’s is the manager of Sri Lankan in Kandy. Jippy sent me his contact details and I spoke with him in the morning of Friday 27th. By evening I had the flight booked and paid for (online transfer from Nikila’s account) – I’m on my way!
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
… I have confirmed my departure for 10th April, Colombo to Melbourne only. I will book the domestic flight while under ‘house-arrest’…
The deed is done – will see you towards the end of the month. I did ask the ABC Corona hotline whether I will be quarantined again in Brisbane – no response yet]
Incidentally, food has not been a problem for me. Quite apart from having plenty of provisions (and having good cook in the house) Evakka has been sending me cooked food (in quantities much bigger than that I need). I enjoy eating today’s manioc with three-day old sambol and last week’s rice. I never waste food if I can help it.
With no paying guests in the foreseeable future, this is a good time to see what we need to do around the house. Wasantha and I did some online searches for cane furniture and other household needs. Since most shops are closed, it’s only research at the moment
Now that I have a firm booking to leave SL, I have the task of telling family and friends of the new arrangements. This has been one of those holidays when you don’t see anybody – all communication is by phone (and my phone has been running hot).
As Anulakka put it, “if we can only speak by phone whether you are in Kandy or Brisbane, does it really matter where your body is?” Profound, that.
Nikila had a bit of an adventure today – I’ll let my emails speak.
[Edited extract of email to Marg on Saturday 28th:Nikila’s adventure flowed on to the next day.
Nikila came here this morning; he was planning to cook Biriyani here with Wasantha. [both are excellent cooks] On the way, he was stopped by the army near the Lewella Bridge and asked where he was going. So he said ‘going home after delivering provisions to the temple’. He was given a lecture and allowed to proceed. Today, the curfew laws are quite strict and he is stuck here! Poor Akka and Manesha – they were waiting for a Biriyani lunch! Nikila still doesn’t know how to get back except by phoning a doctor friend asking him to ferry him across (doctors have curfew passes). ] That’s how things are! I will keep track of the Qld council elections although I don’t really care what happens. Have a drink with Ravi (in 7 minutes)]
Edited extract of email to Marg on Sunday 29th:
Nikila stayed the night (and I opened a bottle of scotch) – it was quite pleasant, the three of us on the balcony. His friend who runs the guest house near the bridge told him this morning that the army is not there anymore and Nikila left around 6.00am (I wasn’t even up).
Kandy district had its first case of covid-19 yesterday and also the first death in SL (in Colombo). Innocence lost. I will speak to the police today to get a curfew pass for Nikila’ car so I can be driven to the airport on the 9th. The roads are empty and for some reason, the Pirith chanting from across the river was much quieter – perhaps people complained. The country is getting ready for a very long containment and recovery period – much like any other country I suppose. They are also encouraging people to GROW for self-sufficiency in food (shades of WW2).
I think I told you that Jippy’s daughter (Mitesha) was in the top 10 in the country in English at A Level. Well, Nikila is convinced that it was triggered by her meeting Leah on that trip with disrupted flights. Nikila took her to Jippy’s and Mitesha hung round Leah chatting (neither understanding what was said). After that, the kid showed a heightened interest in English reading/writing etc. Nikila says that’s where it all started and the results are impressive. Leah’s first success as a teacher!
I will try to phone Monday if I get home early enough from Muruddeniya (that’s if we go at all)…]
Didn’t go to Muruddeniya. Curfew not lifted.
Had a marvelous email from Bryan today!
Boarding pass printed (by Manesha) and I am getting ready to leave. More calls to family and friends; daily email exchange with Peter.
I was planning to get my hair and beard trimmed at Lewella (and didn’t bring my trimmer) but now can’t do it. Wasantha had a good trimmer except the settings are different – ended with quite a short Yasser Arafat beard!
All in readiness for the trip (my bag probably weighs less that 10Kg).
Normally I take quite a few photographs when in SL. This time, with very limited mobility, only one picture is worth mentioning. The picture below was taken late in the afternoon from the balcony, as the sun was going down over Udawaththakale. [Sunbird coming back to its nest]
Bit of excitement (of the sad kind) Monday night. Let the email speak.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
It’s 8.15pm and Wasantha gets a call from Manesha – Violet (who worked for Evakka) has no money and no food (she bought a loaf of bread, half for the dog and rest for herself). Wasantha rings the food distributors and they agreed to deliver a pack of five or six vegetables tomorrow morning even without payment. Not good enough says Wasantha and he took the lentils and some other stuff I had and is going there with Manesha to deliver food … and this during curfew. It was so quick and I might wait up for Wasantha to find out how it went. Life is not the same here…]
It all ended well. Apparently, not only did violet have no money but credit on her mobile was gone as well (that’s why she couldn’t ring Evakka for help). Evakka had just rung her to see how she was doing.
Also had pizza for dinner for 31st night – ordered by Dashika from US and delivered to Riverside8Onm12 – isn’t technology wonderful!
[Edited extract of email to Marg:
This morning, a van with bread came down our street and stopped in front of the house. Bought some bread and buns for morning tea. A vegetable truck came just now where a bag of vegetables (potato, beans, leeks … six types) was Rs. 300; I even got a really big lettuce for my lunches. No grog & smokes truck yet!]
Further excitement in the afternoon (of the extreme kind). NOT an April Fool stunt!
[Edited extract of email to Marg:
…And I was lying down reading around 4.30 this afternoon when Wasantha called “UNCLE…!” He saw on some news channel that Sri Lankan is cancelling all flights from 8th April. I rang the Sri Lankan office in Kandy (even they hadn’t heard the news). I have changed the flight to 5th April (last available) and will be in quarantine even earlier – oh joy!]
Rang Devi Akka on 2nd April to wish her a happy birthday. The surprise party planned by her grandchildren didn’t happen – obviously curfewed out. Few more calls to update new departure date. The day revolved round getting ready to leave on Sunday.
[Edited extract of email to Marg:
Went into town to do the banking and get a curfew pass for the airport trip. The trip was 50% successful. The bank wouldn’t serve me unless I had a mask so I rang Wasantha who was parked down a side street to bring me a spare he had in the car. Got enough money out to pay back Nikila and leave money with Wasantha for the improvements round the house. So the bank trip worked.
Went to the police station and they directed us to another police post near the Asgiriya cricket ground. Long queue in the sun and they hadn’t stated work (at 9,35). Workers arrived at 9.50 and announce “no passes for businesses…” and other bits that I didn’t hear. So I walked up to them and asked. Apparently I don’t need a pass (the ticket is enough). I asked about the people driving me there returning. They have to get the pass at the airport (perhaps they give it where they drop me off). I will ring them to confirm. Besides, Nikila has a pass (working in pharmaceuticals) and with copies of my passport and ticket he should be fine.
Read about border closure in Queensland.
[Edited extract from email to Marg:
…read about Qld border closure but decided not to worry about it as it wouldn’t be relevant for another two weeks plus. Whatever is introduced now could be changed by the time it applies to me. So why worry?
I will go to Evakka’s Sunday morning and perhaps do a video conference with kids from there so Evakka can see them too. I will ring you tomorrow. Done my last wash this morning (sunny and cool 18C) and will wash hair tomorrow – all this domestic stuff (interesting when absolutely nothing else happens!). Will speak tomorrow…]
Had a call from Nikila…
“Your flight is on Sunday right?”
“Yes”
12.10 at night right?”
“Yes”
“… That means you are leaving Kandy Saturday night… not Sunday as you have been planning…”
I can hear him thinking ‘what an absolute idiot!’
“…Err…Yes… Right! Can you still drive me to the airport? And would you tell Evakka that I’ll be there for lunch tomorrow… Thanks Nikila”
A few more calls that evening – I’m leaving tomorrow!
Did my normal travel-day things at Evakka’s (lunch, sleep, shower, light dinner).
Ruwan came for the drive (and to keep Nikila company on the trip back). Uneventful trip to the airport despite a few police/army check-point stops. Arrived at the airport nearly three hours before departure time.
Long queue for check-in (social distancing) and there were only two flights leaving, ours and a Qatari flight to Abu Dhabi. Went through the formal processes without any problems and the first item on the agenda was the restaurant for a sandwich and a beer (normally I have papaya juice). I called Nikila to tell him that I will be leaving and he doesn’t have to ferry me back to Kandy. I think he was happy to hear that – he was already near Mawanella (about four fifths of the way to Kandy).
The flight was fine despite the covid-19 dictated restrictions – no blankets, no headphones. I wore my mask the whole way. Arrived I Melbourne around 2.30pm.
The airport was different! One had to go past about 15(?) desks with official parties at each one, checking travel documents, having the temperature taken, distributing information sheets, filling forms etc., all while abiding by the social distancing rules! It took a while but it was orderly and organized. The people at the last desk before baggage pick-up gave each arrival a bag with chocolates, biscuits etc. (probably because there was no chance of buying anything in the near future)
Part of the process also assigned each traveler to a hotel in the city (I got Mercure).
After the bag pickup, we were led to a bus on the tarmac to be driven to the hotel. I rang Marg from the bus to tell her that I arrived safely. The drive was uneventful and the traffic was thin.
At the hotel, there were more process desks – three of them that you passed in sequence. At the end of it, you had a key card to your room and you were ready for your room… just about.
I don’t get into the lift by myself either. A cleaning person first enters the lift and wipes down the buttons. Then a charming old gent walks into the lift, presses the button for my floor and gets out. My task then is to go into the lift, NOT touch anything and wait for it to open on the correct floor. Only one passenger per trip of course
On the floor, there are two young security guards at the end of each corridor. I walk to my door (room 1232) and enter it, dragging my bag. The door shuts and I’m in my home for the next two weeks
There was a whole lot of information provided, ranging from Government provided fact sheets on support services, quarantine, emergency contacts etc. supplemented by another bunch of materials provided by the hotel. It was quite an impressive bundle of papers (of which I read about five percent) From now on most communication with Marg is by phone. The only communication that’s recorded is in the emails to Peter. So I have to draw on them to jog my memory
Rang Marg to give her the news of my arrival at the prison
[Edited extract from email to Peter:
…I am already in Melbourne – arrived at 2.40pm and was conducted to the hotel (Mecure in the city) by 5.00pm.
Still amazed by the number of personnel the Government has deployed to quarantine arrivals… All in a good cause but it’s so so mechanical (which is probably only way to get the job done cleanly). Anyway, in the hotel now. My main concern is not about being restricted to the room or the price of room service grog – I just need a good shower and clean clothes! A beer would have been nice but no dice (or anything else in the bar fridge). There’s so much security here (including three in the corridor from the lift to my room (the keypad on the lift, incidentally, is cleaned after each trip and the security guy checks the floor number before letting you in). It’s all an experience that I’ve never had (or want to have in future) but it’s another bit of life.
I’m just glad I made it here and that I will be in Brisbane after two weeks here. Two more weeks of self-isolation in Brissie would be a piece of piss!
A few calls to Sri Lanka to inform family of my safe arrival.
There will be only a few emails to Marg from now on as we use Viber and/or phone to talk. However, I will use the emails to some friends to remind me of what it was like.
From the day of arrival to Sinhala & Tamil New Year 13-14 April, each day was pretty much the same as the previous one. Sleep late, have breakfast, read/write, have lunch, read/write, shower, have dinner, speak with a few people, watch a movie and go to bed. Each day a health worker would phone to see if I’m OK (running a temperature? Feeling suicidal? – not in those words of course). It was nice speaking with somebody outside the family/friends group.
Apart from daily chats with Marg, several others made regular contact. The Pethiyagodas in Melbourne (Nishan, Ajith & Tissa) spoke several times as did Melbourne friends Bala (friend from Colombo Geological Survey days) and Patrick (classmate in years 1962-63). Bryan in Brisbane also sent me regular emails (mainly funny ones to cheer me up), one of the clever but not funny videos was Beethoven’s fifth symphony that kept me amused for quite a while.
Line Rider's Beethoven's Fifth
Bala had a story to tell too. We spoke on 7th April and I told him I was in in quarantine in Melbourne. He said he had also returned from Sri Lanka and just completed his self-isolation! (small world)
[Edited extract from email to Marg & Leah:
…Heard a knock on the door – and my paper bag with breakfast was there. It was 8.00am and I had turned the light out at 8.30pm. At least 11.00 hours sleep (leaving out a bout of wakefulness around 1.00am)
Not bad – the body must have needed it! Now I have the whole day ahead of me… and the next and the next…
It’s 14C outside so I’m not too unhappy about being kept in the room (23C, I’ve set it at). Might have to start jumping on the spot to get a bit of exercise (no walking for four weeks exactly).
Our room doors have our names and food allergies etc. in big letters on the outside. When I got my dinner in last night the chap across the corridor had his door open and said ‘got a bottle of wine huh?’ and I said ‘er… yes’. He said ‘I must get another’. He mustn’t be from our batch of prisoner but from an earlier one! He is also Sri Lankan (but is allergic to spicy food)…]
How can I complain about the room and food when the Government is paying for it all and all I have to do is stay in the room. Food is delivered to the door, and you can order extra food or drink from their room service (you pay for it yourself). The only thing I bought red wine to go with my dinner.
The mealtimes were quite good for me, latish breakfast and early dinner – good for sleeping. Sometimes they moved around a bit but not enough to worry me.
The food was fine ranging from porridge for breakfast (which I do not like) to rice, pasta, fish etc. that I like. There is always fruit and sweets too. Can’t complain.
We had pizza once too, where you actually had a choice to select the type of pizza – enjoyed it!
When I was running out of coffee and milk, I just rang reception for a few more sachets. What came back was a whole bagful!
When I was running out of moisturizer (dry canned air), I asked the medical person when she rang, and a little while later a knock on the door and there it was.
It was interesting about changing linen in the room. One morning they left us with instructions on how to change the sheets (a six-step process!); nobody else is allowed into the room to do it.
[Edited extract from email to Peter
… I’m getting good at doing very little, having had a lot of practice.
My view of Melbourne is attached. From the 12th floor, the only ‘action’ I see is shadows moving with the sun! That’s close to watching grass grow or paint dry. However, I don’t stress too much about boredom – I’m not easily bored myself (but I bore other people quite successfully)…]
After a few days I sent Peter a decorated version of the skyline (it was something to do).
[Edited extract from email to Peter sent 10th April
…It’s definitely another day – I woke up, and there it was! Brand new. Yesterday’s blue sky has done its stint and retired – now the dark clouds are having a go at entertaining me. The bed - making kept me entertained for a while yesterday; the bed looked lovely and lent tone to the room (until I spoilt the whole effect by sleeping in it). That’ll teach me.
I finished the story I started yesterday (only 1600 words). Quite pleased with it as it is different from the other shit I write (new kind of shit).
Leah and Marg alerted me to the Permit requirement to get into Queensland. I went through the Qld Gov website but found no application form; the whole thing appeared to be related to travel between QLD and NSW (and other undefined ‘high risk’ locations). I wasn’t going to worry too much about it as things may change by next Monday week when my incarceration ends. Besides, I have no info as yet how we will be released from jail. Wait and see is what I’m good at.
Air conditioning is amazing; my room is 25C during the day and 23C at night! For somebody without even a light jumper in the bag, I’m thankful I’m inside rather than in the 11C mornings outside...]
Sent Easter greetings to family and friends (with pictures of scene through the window).
At 2.00am and at 7.30 am.
Peter thought that I waited up till 2.00am for the Easter Bunny (and me a good Buddhist!). He also wondered if the town would be lit up at night during the working week.
[Edited extract from email to Peter:
It was more a case of having to go to the toilet rather than waiting for Easter Bunny. It all ended happily; I got my picture and there was a chocolate bunny outside the door this morning. However, scientists say that going to the toilet at night and getting chocolates in the morning are not causally linked. I will test this by going to the toilet, taking a picture one night during the working week, and checking for bunnies in the morning (answering your question as a by-product of the experiment).
There are three flights Mel-Bne via Sydney around the 20th (lot more now, and direct too). Don’t know how things would change. I heard today during lunch that a friend of Chris’s had to drive up (I will try to avoid that!). Let’s see how things pan out….
… I heard from my nephew in Perth yesterday that they were organising an online ‘animal-vegetable-mineral?’ type game in Sinhala for tonight. It’s something we used to play as kids (called girl, boy, flower, fruit – one person selects a letter and others have to find something in each category beginning with that letter. When one fills all four, other have to stop. At the end –I can’t remember when the end is; perhaps when each player had a turn to select one or more letters; – the tally up the scores. Silly but fun)
Keep smiling – it’s not ALL doom and gloom even when there is a lot of it about!]
Another major(ish) drama Sunday evening.
Leah’s pastor Neil’s acquaintance (unknown to Leah) has a friend of a friend (is that removed far enough?) stranded in Kandy without much money and (perhaps – according to ‘acquaintance’) worried about her safety. The girl Linda is in her mid-twenties from El Salvador, living in Bolivia and has been travelling in Sri Lanka with her Australian boyfriend. When the country went into lockdown, the boyfriend came back to Australia, leaving the girl there (she had no visa to enter Australia). Is there anybody we know who can accommodate her?
After Leah’s email I contacted Wasantha and Manesha with the above story to see what could be arranged for this girl. After several calls/emails the outcome was passed on to Neil as follows:
[Edited extract of email to Neil:
…Here is where things stand.
That’s where things stand. Hope it all falls into place satisfactorily…]
- My sister-in-law Eva spoke with Linda. Linda lives in a suburb of Kandy on the other side of the town from where Eva’s and my house are.
- Linda is fully aware of the difficulty of moving from area to area. She has been instructed by her embassy that she should NOT move from where she is unless they, and the police OK it.
- The embassy would try to move her to Colombo on Tuesday or Wednesday (I have my doubts if this would happen)
- If, with everybody’s permission, Linda is allowed to moves to my place, both she and Wasantha would be placed in self-isolation in the house for 14 days.
- Linda has Eva’s number and will ring her if there’s any pressing need (eg. For food, which Wasantha has agreed to deliver).
- If there’s any harassment (as was hinted at in one of the emails), Linda will telephone the police
- Eva will ring Tuesday or Wednesday to see how she is faring (if she is still in Kandy).
- If she wants to move to my place after the holiday season (it’s Sinhala & Tamil New Year tomorrow too), Wasantha is willing to have her and be quarantined for 14 days.
That’s the last we heard of this affair. What a way to finish Easter Sunday!
Started and completed three short stories during this period.
Three clay figures මැටි රූප තුනක් 08/04/20202
Refugee සරණාගතයා 10/04/2020
Shack පැල්පත 11/04/2020
Not bad for a week in quarantine!
It is Sinhala & Tamil New Year!
Exchange New Year greetings with family and friends via phone and email. This is the first (and hopefully the last) time I spend the festive season alone, confined to a room.
Not a lot to do except talk to friends and relatives about New Year rather than experience it!
[Edited extract from email to Peter - Monday 13th:
It’s Sri Lankan New Year today – another day the Sri Lankans can’t celebrate in the current climate. It’s the biggest festival for young and old and city and country alike (and a boon for retail!). However, people appear to be in the “we’ll really have a bash next year!” mood. Hope they can!
It’s very quiet here (same as every other day I suppose) and it’s really boring! Perhaps there will be a meteor going across the sky tonight (even a flying pig would be acceptable).
[Edited extract from email to Peter Tuesday 14th:
I toned down my New Year celebrations this year because I wanted to do the right thing by the Government (no gatherings or travel, everything in moderation etc.); not because of the lack of alternatives…
… I am one ahead of you on the topic of writing about my incarceration. I started a (really) short story combining New Year with self-isolation. After checking the various traditional rituals and auspicious times on the Internet, I dug things out of my memory about how we took part in the rituals and had a wonderful time etc… (quite nostalgic shit)… and finished the whole thing with ‘Of course none of this is relevant to one who is confined to a room – 2020 New Year resides exclusively in memories and the Internet’. As for the old bard turning in his grave, he will turn perhaps to ‘fart in my general direction’]
Finished two stories in the period.
Auspicious times නැකැත් -14/04/2020
Paddy fields වෙල් යාය - 15/04/2020 (started last year)
Under normal conditions, I would have had just booked a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, and told the relevant people about it and that would be that. Not to be.
Marg and I use pre-paid ‘Travel SIMs’ on our travels. I use a different SIM for Sri Lanka but everywhere else outside Australia it’s the Travel SIM that I use. It has the advantage of adding credit online. Works extremely well – except when their ‘top-up’ website goes down. It happened on 15th April. That meant no more calls (or calls from others unless they used Viber). Call to their office in Sydney using the room phone didn’t help. They agreed to add $25 but never did. At the same time, the hotel must have had a lot more guests so the WiFi was affected as well (bad Viber calls and web access)
On booking flights to Brisbane…
[Edited extract of email to Peter 15th April:
…The news is that I will be released from prison on Sunday 19th (hurrah!). From there they will take me to the airport. Although they advised against it (until I had official confirmation of release) I tried to book flights to Brissie. When I checked yesterday morning, there were flights on Tuesday; by the afternoon, the earliest available was Thursday, last night I managed to book a flight leaving Friday 24th. (They evaporate, you think?) …]
[Edited extract of email to Peter 17th April:
Here’s a day when I do have real news. I will be in Brisbane on the 20th. Here’s the story. As I wrote earlier the earliest I could get a flight to Brisbane was 24th Friday. Last night, I watched some crappy show on the laptop and just before turning off the machine, went to the ABC site for a final check on news. There was a piece there about the Government supporting the airlines (funding in fact), hoping (?) to keep Virgin flying and to get stranded idiots home. I immediately went to the Qantas site and changed my flight! There were no seats on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday but Monday accepted me (good old Monday!). Had to pay some money but that’s a very good use for money. Besides, now it’s a direct flight! Hurrah]
My travel plans are well settled now. I leave the hotel afternoon of the 19th to be driven to the Holiday Inn next to the airport for the night. The flight is at 11.00am. Have discussed all this with Marg using scratchy Viber connection.
[Edited extract from email to Peter - Sunday19th April:
…I am being released at 5.00pm (escorted by a security chap from room to reception according to the ‘End of detention notice’ I received this morning). From there they take me by bus to Holiday Inn at the airport in readiness for the Monday morning flight to Brisbane. Celebration on Monday in Brisbane!
…The two week Melbourne experience (wake up, breakfast, pretend to write, lunch, read distractedly, shower, dinner with wine, go to bed X 14). Have seen two human forms in that time. One is the chap across the hallway that I say hello to if we open our doors at the same time to collect our meals) and the other – the security person at our end of the corridor – can be male or female but always dressed in black and wears a facemask. His/her speech is restricted to ‘Good Morning!’ (that only if I say it first). Not much of an experience to write home about…]
Checked into Holiday Inn. Although I was hoping to eat at a bar or restaurant, nothing is open (I forget that I had been away when all these changes occurred). So it’s a beer and burger in the room.
The good bit was that we did a quick video call with the kids using Messenger. Early to bed.
Walked to the airport hoping to have a coffee there. One coffee shop was open – all good. Walking to my departure area quite a distance away I found quite tiring. That’s when I remembered that I hadn’t had a good long walk for a very long time.
Marg was coming to pick me at the airport in Brisbane and I was to ring her when the plane touched down. Of course I had to use the ‘Sri Lankan phone’ because the travel SIM was kaput! It worked, and Marg was waiting for me in the pick-up area.
25 minutes, and I was home – where I belong. After 39 days.
Now for two weeks of self-isolation at home!
Catching up on news started right after getting in the car at the airport. This is a process that continued for days, especially while having a drink in the evening. This time there were lots and lots of news to share - the main topic was how much covid-19 has changed things in the two countries.
However, the first thing to do on coming home was reporting in to family in Sri Lanka that I arrived home safely – phone and email. I did this after every trip anyway. This time I did this update with people in Australia too.
Getting rid of all evidence of recent travels is the next task. This includes washing clothes, changing SIM on the phone, putting away power cables, toiletry and bags etc. Doing this establishes that I’m home; and that the ‘other home’ is a pleasant memory to be enjoyed at leisure. The ‘other home’ is always a part of our future travel plans.
My life has improved greatly from the quarantine days: I live with Marg and Ravi rather than in a small room; I sleep in my own bed; my diet is unrestricted; I can have a quiet drink (or several) with Marg & Ravi; and I have the full run on the house and garden.
Of course there are restrictions still, the main one being the inability to walk beyond the front gate. The consequence of this restriction was that I still couldn’t visit Leah and family, and worse still, neither could Marg! It wasn’t advisable for her to visit the kids (especially Abby) when there was a possible covid-19 carrier in the house. Despite being in Brisbane, video link was still our only link with the grandkids.
Apart from seeing Leah and family, my main priority was getting into shape again. Because I wasn’t allowed to move beyond the gate, I had to start by walking round the house. It’s extremely boring!
The first day I could do only two km and my legs ached (actually the whole body ached). I was so upset at being so out of condition I emailed Dashika, Nikila and Manesha, extolling the virtues of regular exercise! What an idiot! However, I know that as an older person I am entitled to give advice, just as the youngsters are entitled to ignore it (and they did!)
After about five days of shorter walks, I was able to bring the distance up to six km. It was slow, boring and my body ached! (80 times round the house is roughly six km). I kept this up for the whole two weeks – well done me!
Everything else ran as before except that any job beyond the gates was Marg’s. All shopping, including buying beer, was Marg’s job. A fellow could get used to this!
I did keep writing. One more story, Areca Nut පුවක් was written and published on 26th April.
Wesak was just round the corner when I finished my self-isolation on 4th May. So instead of constructing Wesak lanterns, I decided to cover some windows with red and green cellophane; made a pretty good Wesak lantern I thought!
We are back to some sort of ‘normal’ now. We see Leah and family in person, at their place and ours and we even had Peter and family over for dinner to celebrate Marg’s birthday. Outside world is still recovering and it will be a long time before everything is ‘normal’. But we are as happy as the world allows us to be – there really is no point complaining. There are many millions of people worse off than us.
Everybody thanks health workers, essential service providers, security officers … the list is endless… for their dedicated service. They deserve it. However, we shouldn’t forget family, friends and good neighbors who, without fanfare and public recognition, do a sterling job of keeping us safe and well. Well done you all!