Tuesday 14th June 2022

I was up early to travel to Hatton to see Chan and Kanishiya for the Hindu ceremony that takes place 30 days after a child is born. I walked to Blackpool Junction, then caught an inter-city bus from there to Hatton. It was one of the small coaches with rather narrow seats, and an even narrower aisle in between them - not built for comfort, but it only cost me 280LKR (around 70p) for a 1.5-hour journey.

Getting on the bus, only one seat was available next to a rather large Sri Lankan guy - clearly reluctant to have a rather large white guy sit next to him, as we really needed 3 seats between the two of us! I had to sit with one butt cheek on the seat and the other hovering in the aisle, so that my nether regions were completely anaesthetised by the time we got to Hatton - obvious lesson: I need to lose weight!

I walked from Hatton Bus Station to Kanishiya's, and I almost got there, but I missed the short cut that only pedestrians can use, so Chan sent a tuk-tuk to find me. I had the most wonderful time. Chan is still living at his wife Kanishiya's family home, and they could not have been more welcoming to all their guests - including me - even providing me with a 'vesti' (skirt) to wear for the occasion!

The Hindu ceremony was the equivalent of a christening, and it was quite fascinating to be a part of it. I chatted to so many different uncles, cousins etc. including some of the teachers from Tea Leaf Vision, who were all invited. As with special family occasions all over the world, it was the laughter, fun, and underlying sense of love that struck me more than anything. Love is what truly binds us all together!












Comments

  1. Tim WJune 15, 2022 at 4:54 AM

    Hard to tell who looks more worried, you or the baby!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CharlesJune 15, 2022 at 9:17 AM

    What did they end up calling their baby? Was the choice of name governed by cosmic considerations?

    ReplyDelete

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