One Year Later

I have been here for just a few days more than one year now. This has really been one heck of an experience, and one that I will never forget! So, its time to give a long over due update on my situation here in Sri Lanka… Like I said in an earlier post below, I made it back from Bali well rested, refreshed, and recharged. Man it was so good to relax and be in a different environment all together. Sri Lanka is a beautiful place but it can really wear on you. Anyway, the trip was great and I hope you enjoyed some of the pics I posted below.

I am now back in Sri Lanka and many things have changed, most of them for the better. First of all, I have recently signed on with an Italian NGO called CESVI. They are the main donor and partner organization for Sewa Lanka and my housing project. So this means a couple things: I am still working on the same project and have similar responsibilities and work with the same people; I now my peers and superiors are expats, and Im getting paid! Yep, insurance and everything! I am really good friends with all my coworkers and we have a lot of fun working (and playing) together. This is really a great opportunity because it gives me a chance to stick it out and see this project through to completion. I think you can understand that it would be much more gratifying to see these houses build and the people move in rather than just saying “ok, my 1 year is up, good luck to you all!”. Truth is, the project would be in dire straights if I left right now. So I think this solution works well for every one. I am sad to leave Sewa Lanka but am looking forward to my new opportunity.

This enthusiasm for my new working situation should not be confused with my excitement for returning home. I miss all my family and friend soooo much. I miss San Francisco so much. I miss climbing and snowboarding every other weekend, and road trips on smooth roads. I miss good food on every corner. I miss high-speed internet connections, wifi cafes, and good coffee. My plan is to come back to San Francisco for New years for a week or two, then off to the Midwest to see the family and more friends. I will come back to Sri Lanka for a few months to close the project and leave at the end of March 2007.

I should also let you know that the security situation here has gotten better, at least in Trinco. The gov and the LTTE are still battling it out in various places in the North and east but Trinco has been really calm and quiet. Now that I am working for an international organization, the security protocol will be more strict than with the local org. I was well cared for with Sewa Lanka but CESVI will be even more conservative. So I am in good hands. :)

So, thank you again for all your support. I really appreciate all of you that have been staying in touch and especially all the nice care packages, even if they take 4 months to arrive sometimes! I miss you all. Stay in touch and I look forward to seeing you all at the end of the year! Ciao!

This is a pic of me with many of the Sewa Lanka-Trinco crew at the beach for the commemoration of the killing of 17 local humanitarian aid workers in August. Still suffering from Sri Lankan haircuts...