Review

"Sri Lanka is a huge part of life that I love" 

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Yke Berkouwer had very different expectations when he arrived in Sri Lanka, accompanying his diplomat wife, Susan Blankhart some three years ago. But today, he feels ......

More......

> Five star treatment for Trinco's poor orphans

> Ghostly upheavals in Peraliya

> Our culture sprang from Dhamma fountainhead

> Doing as the Romans do - around the world (....Balder dash)

"Sri Lanka is a huge part of life that I love" 

Amsterdam 80 years ago"

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Yke Berkouwer had very different expectations when he arrived in Sri Lanka, accompanying his diplomat wife, Susan Blankhart some three years ago. But today, he feels "so settled and happy" that it makes him sad to know that in two more months  it would be time for good-byes.

If you expect the non-committal diplomacy generally associated with the diplomatic circle, Berkouwer certainly comes as a surprise. A management consultant by profession, happily holding a regular job at the Oasis Hospital Colombo, he is happiest when interacting with people.

" I am a very people's person.  And there is so much beyond the confines of the diplomatic community, and I always try to interact with all layers of people. It is a rewarding thing," he says, full of praise for the Sri Lankans who made him feel welcome.

Nation of inspiration

Sri Lanka remains a huge inspiration for this unassuming and infectiously friendly man, who is full of praise for the hospitable nation. The Sri Lankan people have inspired him so much that during his short stay here, he has mastered  spoken Sinhala and has just finished writing a book on a local beggar family.  

" I always want to interact with people and that's why I studied the language," says Berkouwer, who found that his communication was somewhat constrained at the Oasis Hospital where the top rung spoke the Queen's language whereas 50 % did not.  "I wanted to be able to interact with them," he says with a smile, full of regret that he did not start on day one.

And now, it is almost time for good-byes. But for the husband of the Netherlands' diplomatic representative here, Sri Lanka has been an overwhelmingly happy experience and one that he would not easily forget.

Today, he is so integrated to the island's community that he refuses to consider it a temporary home. "It's a huge part of life that I love," he smiles.

His wife, Susan Blankhart worked at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the Netherlands before moving to Zambia where Berkouwer worked as a director in computer studies.

 There were some 15 years between the Zambian assignment and her posting to Sri Lanka during which period Susan worked at the Foreign Ministry in the Netherlands.

The Sri Lankan assignment is very special to the Berkouwers. They arrived here on a significant day - February 11, 2002 when the Sri Lankan government signed a ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers.

Red letter day

" It was a momentous occasion. I hope they build on it,"says Berkouwer.

Since their arrival, they have tried to learn more about the country's identity, its cultural ethos as well as the ethnic conflict. "I believe that one cannot learn about a country unless one is somewhat familiar with the language. And I love the many exotic places in this island like Kandy, Bentota, Beruwala, Uda Walawe, Yala and Anuradhapura.  I love them for their diversity and beauty. And the Buddhist temples fascinate me," he claims, adding that he could never get  enough of these places.

"Any pet peeves here?", I queried and he quickly nods " It's the weather." But there is so much that he has come to love, that he does not even grumble about the traffic jams, the noise pollution and the ill-maintained roads. Berkouwer likes to walk on the busy roads in Pettah, observe the market din that prevails and to self drive - drawbacks notwithstanding.

"As for the weather, we learned to beat it fast. We created a lovely tree house in the garden. That's where we have our tea amidst bird chirping," he explains, ushering me into the main house.

At first glance, it is a minimalist and elegant house.  But he accepts that people would naturally be curious about a diplomat's abode and agrees that a certain 'essence' is expected to be there.

Symbol of heritage

"My wife is the Queen's representative. So our house has to reflect the essence of Dutch heritage," he tells me, showing paintings of  Amsterdam 80 years ago that adorn the main wall." The clothes have changed, but not the buildings or the bridges. They remain the same in lovely old Amsterdam," he wistfully explains.

In the dining area, there is a lovely wall hanging with a windmill design.  "Lots of people think windmills are so displayed for aesthetic purposes. They perform an essential function of pumping water," he adds.

Having lived in Sri Lanka for almost three years, he finds life more settled here, than elsewhere. Their sons remain overseas while their youngest, a daughter is attending Overseas School, Colombo. 

And one of the pleasant surprises for the Berkouwers was in finding the country to be greener than expected, and streamlined. " We were somewhat influenced by our experiences in India. This island is stunning. Its palms, colourful people and paddy fields create a unique identity," Berkouwer says.

The country's history of war did not deter them from coming to Colombo. They kept open minds and were feeling adventurous about living in a tiny Asian island. "I don't mind staying here for another decade," he says.

Learning on the job

Upon arrival, he lacked the nerve to learn Sinhala. So, he studied vocabulary and grammar books on his  own and later with some help from a hospital staffer practised pronunciation. It has helped tremendously in his job as a management consultant.

" Take hospitals here and there. The hospital organisation is different.  The Dutch hospitals have more facilities, but the problems are the same like how some people work and others shirk. Only the conditions are different.  The same quarrels and troubles persist in the entire world. Knowing Sinhala has made life easy,"  he says.

 He  was delighted to discover that the locals did not have any resentment for the Berkouwers  on account of their Dutch identity.

"I expected some hostility, a streak of resentment for a historical wrong.  I never expected to have this easy level of acceptance. I am touched," he says, adding that it is to the credit of a nation that does not bear ancient grudges; but accepts the Dutch rule as a part of history alone.

Berkouwer has made some interesting studies of the Dutch heritage here.  A surprise find was a little Dutch hospital near the Kelani River, says he, adding that he loves the visible signs of Dutch heritage here. And he divides this into five categories.

Explaining further, he speaks of the 'Dutch influence' resulting from Dutch rule in Sri Lanka. "The First is the religious influence with the island having several Dutch Reformed churches.

Second, the number of Dutch names that are used here.

Third is the recognition given to the Dutch ancestry with the Dutch Burgher community having its own distinct identity with their special organizations and ceremonies.

The fourth is the linguistic influence" he says. Berkouwer finds it fascinating that some typical Dutch words like 'arthapal' - which means  earth-apple in Dutch pronounced as aartapple - have been absorbed into the Sinhala language.

"I love studying the people, their culture and language. Temples inspire me so much," he notes. And out of the people who influenced him is a beggar couple.

"They left such strong impressions.  It started off when I started donating a coin or two, but after two years,  just dropping coins into a till was insufficient. I wanted to do something tangible".

They made him a writer. The book written in Dutch is now ready for release. Its proceeds would go to them

"That's the kind of inspirational effect this country has  on me. It is an amazing multi-faceted country," he says.

Berkouwer is full of praise for the resilient Lankans and believes that people here have more acceptance of  life and are more adept at dealing with disappointments. "They are not rooted in their grief. They move on. Even after serious mishaps, they bounce back," he notes.

Yet, reflectively he adds that it is this very strength that works against them, as problems are fixed on a day to day basis, as they are encountered without seeking permanent solutions.

Looking back, he feels that Sri Lankan resilience is something to appreciate and is happy that the recovery process has been fast with regard to the tsunami devastation.

"We were holidaying in Australia and we could not believe that a wave could cause such havoc. The south I loved, was gone. We were there, glued to television sets, stunned that our little island home has been shattered."

Berkouwer believes that Sri, in order to experience a development leap, only needs to fix one thing.  "Pursue your chances for peace earnestly. You have it all here on this paradise isle. But the opportunities for  growth are going a waste due to the prevailing atmosphere. The need is for permanent peace. The truce was a good beginning, but it needs several follow-ups, which is the need of the hour." Berkouwer notes.

All is not lost for Sri Lanka, he believes. He personally feels that peace could benefit the north enormously, an area that has not progressed owing to the war, compared to the rest of the country.

"Time is on Sri Lanka's side.  People have waited long enough for this hatred to cease and for development to take place.  This nation must seize the moment and turn it into a hugh opportunity for growth," he says.  It is something he would very much like to see taking place in a land, he claims, where soon he will leave a part of his heart behind.

 They walked into the Colombo Plaza Hotel with their Sili Sili bags

Five star treatment for Trinco's poor orphans

Huddled together in one room of the five star hotel

By Ranee Mohamed

Eighteen poor orphans  who lived on the vegetables in their backyard came to Colombo. They left Trincomalee on  Monday, June 13 at 6 a.m. They had no food, no proper  place to stay and also had no money. But they had something that few of us have - happiness in their  hearts. Happiness at the very idea of coming to Colombo, happiness at being away from their poor, humble and difficult surroundings.

The glitz of Colombo welcomed them - there were lights everywhere, they saw the  abundance and rich city life that is only witnessed by the Colombo's elite.

However, it did not take long for life to change for them.  Carrying their sili sili bags, the orphans, all girls aged between 6 to 16 walked  into a place that few of us can walk into - it was the Colombo Plaza Hotel, for this is where they were going to live for the coming two days. It was a management decision - that the Colombo Plaza gives these orphans the time of their lives. And they walked in here, with their sili sili bags, too frightened to look around. It was their first time in Colombo.

A new world

For the children, everything about the hotel was amazing. They remained with their heads bent.  The interior was so plush - they were over-awed. "What is this place, is it heaven?" asked the littlest of them all. Then they all huddled into the lifts. "It is cool in here," they murmured happily. They did not even know when they reached the fourth floor.The lift took them without any trembles and tumbles - so unlike the life which they are normally used to

Then they were escorted to the white sheets, golden hues and the luxury that is five star comfort - and they were just over the moon.

"How are we going to open these taps?" they asked crowding around the fittings. Some of them were too frightened to touch the little bottles of shampoos and shower gel. The hot water from  the taps caused their eyes to widen. There were several warm towels in every room. "All this in one room and a TV too for each of our rooms?" they chorused.

So they switched on the TV and huddled together on the huge warm beds and spent a cool night together in one room. Thereafter, in the dead of the night, they crept through the corridors into their own rooms. For a moment they were away from the troubles of Trincomalee, they had closed their eyes to the hardship faced  by  them  in this  regard.

The Colombo Plaza was giving the orphans a true taste of love and warmth.

Then a wonder-world

Then it was time to give a huge round of applause for the man behind the merry-go-round, the giant wheel and the trains and all other wonder  toys. "We always think of the orphans," said  Chairman and Managing Director, Wonder World Entertainments, Harischandra Nimalasiri.  "Is this really true," asked the orphans as they scrambled from one painted animal to another. From the warmth of the tea cup they boarded the coloured train that took them to a world of happiness - a world they have never reached in all their years of short  life.

"We love to eat hot hoppers," they whispered. That is because at the orphanage it is not practical to make hoppers for 18 children. But this was soon remedied by Gwendoline  Kuhatheva,  Krishan and Indrika Senaratne who arranged a hopper dinner for them and a dessert to follow. Orphans never get desserts in everyday life.

 Orphans love gifts, but when one is an orphan in Trincomalee, gifts seldom come their way. But in Colombo, these little girls, from nowhere, without anybody, touched hearts and opened purses -  Ranjit and Lucille Dahanayake, Hilda Nicholas, Anusha Coomaraswamy and Mazahira Jabeer showered them with bags of gifts and linen. And off they went to Galle Face, "What is this place?" they queried. And they soon found out - they were running around the open space on that cool night, stopping only for the ice cream. "Can't we  stay just one more day," they begged. "We want to come to Galle Face again tomorrow," they begged. For these girls, who spent their nights crying, it was days and nights of laughter,  fun  and  frolics. 

It was the time of their lives for these little orphans of Trincomalee.  A time that will never come back.

June 15 was the saddest day of their  lives. "We cannot go. We want to stay - just one more day please," they pleaded.

Back to reality

But it was time to get back to reality and  General Manager, Colombo Plaza, Rohan Karr softened and cushioned the stark reality with gifts  of books, bags and pencils and more glistening bags and boxes of  mutton pies, chicken pastries, prawn rolls and tinned fish sandwiches, apples, grapes, fruit juice and milk - all made into lovely packages together with  other wonder-ideas that this  General Manager from England can whiz out in a couple of minutes. Every day, during their stay at the Colombo Plaza the orphans were given foods parcels, fruits and all the good things that life does not give them.

The day dawned - it was time for them to go. And at the Colombo Plaza, the exclusive, carpeted Cheers Pub  had a breakfast buffet laid out for these children of Trincomalee. The soft lights made the croissants glisten even more - there were sausages, bacon and  eggs, jam, butter, stringhoppers, hoppers, waffles, fruits  and fruit juices - and the orphans were frightened to eat. 

Resident Manager Yasmin Cader had made the behind the scene arrangements, PR Manager Tharika Goonetilleke was serving them hoppers, and the Rooms Division Manager Fouzie Mohideen was there to see that things go well with the children.

"Thank you uncle," they chorused aloud to General Manager Karr.

"Thank you," we certainly must say to the revolutionary hotelier  Karr.

And to the safe and comfortable journey that the orphans had to and from Colombo and for  their movements in the city of Colombo, they remember with gratitude the  Chief of Defence Staff and Commander in Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri who reminds us that it is great to be great, but even greater to be human

"Life is hard for them. They have no mother or father to talk about their worst fears.  They have no one in this world to care for. This is why we are trying to do our best for these orphans," said the sister in charge of these girls.

And for all those people who have changed the lives of these poor children even for a day, life will certainly bring forth its manifold blessings with time. For these girls, who spent their nights crying, it was two days and nights of laughter and  fun. What goes around will certainly come around.

Ghostly upheavals in Peraliya

By Jamila Najmuddin in peraliya

Ghosts, what are they and where do they come from? Why is it that they proceed to live in another world so close to our world? There are so many questions revolving around ghosts and spirits, that it makes us wonder who they really are and what they want from us. Unfortunately the world does not have enough knowledge about ghosts and their ilk.

There is so much to learn, but so little is known about the paranormal events surrounding ghosts.

I never believed in ghosts, because I had never seen one or experienced their presence. For years, ghost stories have been told to little children in order to frighten them  and get them to behave.  For centuries there have been stories about the existence of spirits on earth, but a large section of the community dismisses the subject as 'rumour'. There are some, who claim they have seen and heard these paranormal beings.

My visit to Peraliya last week, made me    change my views on ghosts and their existence. The scene of the train wreck due to the tsunami which claimed many lives, was a sight to see. The memories of women, children and men trapped in the compartments as the waves gushed in, made one wonder of the terrible agony  these people must have suffered in the last few minutes of their lives.

The four compartments of the train now on display, have turned the area into a tourist attraction during daytime. Residents around however, claim that all is not right in the evenings. "All sorts of eerie noisies are heard in the nights" they chorus.

"Many people were trapped in these compartments when the tsunami hit the area. A lot of people lost their lives. The memories of that disastrous day are etched vividly in our minds when in the evenings, we hear voices  of little children screaming from the train. At first we thought it was our imagination.  But many people have heard it," M. Gunapala, a resident living close to the wreckage claimed.

 Gunapala continues to live in the area as he has nowhere else to go  He says that while at first, the experience was funny, he has now come to accept the presence of spirits in the area. "I have small children who fear to step out of the house alone in the nights. There are nights when we hear little children and women screaming 'save us'. The voices are heard coming from atop the coconut trees. It is scary, but we have learnt to live with it," Gunapala says.

S. Sumanasiri, a resident also living close to the place of the tragedy, told us about the day the tsunami struck. "People in the area climbed into the train to save themselves from the gushing waters. Although at first there were not many people in the train, the crowd doubled when people on the road too climbed into the compartments. They also got on to the roof of the compartments in order to save themselves. I ran further away from the sea with my child and when I finally looked back, the train had been washed away," he said.

He added that although he does not hear noises or screams every night there have been instances when he has seen "transparent figures" in the area. "A lot of people, including children, faced a horrible death on the day of the tsunami. However, we chose to ignore these events and continue to live here without making an issue of it," he says.

Sumanasiri,  is joined by others in the area who also confirm the presence of spirits in Peraliya. "Many of us have heard the noises. There is a school close by and the man who sleeps there in the night has also spoken of hearing noises. We mostly hear woman and children screaming 'save us' and 'help us'. It is very pathetic," B. Krishanthi, also a resident said.

Krishanthi says that while she too was saved from the waves by her husband and a neighbour, the memories of the tsunami will never be forgotten, as the screams of the women and children only bring back memories of the day which has gone down in Sri Lankan history as the worst day of disaster.

While Krishanthi and the rest continue to live in the area with the spooks and the voices of spirits screaming "save us", they are probabaly right when they say, the memories of the tsunami would never fade - after all it indeed was the worst day of our lives.

 Poson focus on Mihintale 

Our culture sprang from Dhamma fountainhead

by Leslie Dahanaike

The spotlight falls on Mihintale once again with the advent of Poson full moon on Tuesday, when pilgrims from all parts of Sri Lanka converge on the mountain top at Mihintale to pay homage to Arahat Mahinda for bringing the message of the Buddha to our island over 2,300 years ago.

The story of the introduction of Buddhism to our land by this emissary of the Mauryan monarch Asoka is too well known to bear repetition here, but the impact of his missionary endeavours in this blessed land, hallowed by the presence of the Buddha Himself has been so significant and far-reaching that its essence permeated the very fabric of the day-to-day life of the people of that time.

Devanampiyatissa, the king of Anuradhapura who was the first to be converted to the new faith, became a patron saint of Buddhism. And so with royal patronage the spread of the Dhamma over the island was swift. But as it expanded its sway, Buddhism came to terms as it were with its Sri Lankan environment by assimilating pre-Buddhist cults, rituals and ceremonies.

Political implications

The spread of the new religion was not without its political implications. It stabilised the bonds of friendship between Sri Lanka and the Mauryan empire.

Following on Mahinda's success came the Arahat Thera Sangamittha bringing with her a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree at Gaya under which Siddhartha Gautama had attained Enlightenment. This sapling was received with due ceremony by the king and planted in the sacred city. Sangamittha later estabilished the order of Bhikkunis or Buddhist nuns in Sri lanka. The order is now extinct.

With the close links forged between the state and Buddhism, royalty paid the greatest respect to the sangha. The royal pleasure garden, Mahameuvana in Anuradhapura was gifted by the king to Mahinda for use as a monastery. This formed the nucleus of the Maha Vihare which was later to become a historic seat of Buddhist learning in Sri Lanka.

As the Buddhist influence spread, the people eventually began to use a common language and common script. The multi-ethnic society of the time was basically Aryan or North Indian, while a recognisable dravidian component was there. This society in accordance with the new teaching, emphasised harmony and a spirit of live and let live. Gradually the religion became formalised and institutionalised with Buddhism and royal authority supporting each other and drawing strength from its association.

The Buddha Sasana now firmly estabilished in Sri lankan soil, was enjoying royal patronage. The treasury, provided for the maintenance of the bhikkhus who had joined the order in large numbers, as they could not always rely on the charity of generous folk for their sustenance. A part of the country's agricultural surplus was also used to construct religious edifices called stupas or chetiyas and cultural embellishments associated with them.

Soon the orthodox Theravada teaching which mahinda introduced and which was noted for its charity, simplicity and compassion, and emphasised the Arahat ideal leading to Nibbana, had to contend with Mahayanists who had seceded from the Maha Vihare and became a rival and independent sect. The Mahayana doctrine was received with great sympathy at Abhayagiri which had been built in the reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya around 103 BC. Apparently Mahayana ritual and ceremonies attracted lay Buddhists and soon the vesak festival marking the Buddha's birth, Enlightenment and passing away came to be celebrated in Sri lanka.

The Sacred Tooth Relic Dalada of the Buddha brought in the reign of King Sri Meghavanna (BC 301-28) under Mahayana auspices was housed in the Abhayagiri and soon Buddhists following the Mahayana tradition, began to worship image houses. Rituals like pirith also came to be chanted in times of national calamity, drought, sickness or to drive away evil spirits.

Arts and crafts

Arts and crafts, painting and sculpture, and, language and literature received a fresh impetus as the doctrine took root in the country. Early Buddhist shrines in Sri lanka were based on the Indian models and in the wake of the Mauryan Buddhist mission, came the arts and crafts of India as well.

But after an initial period of Indianisation which tended to initiate the prevalent culture, a distinct Sri Lankan style in art and culture emerged, bearing however, the stamp of its Indian origin. The design for the imposing stupas which eventually dotted the lands of Rajarata came from North India. They enshrined Buddha relics and therefore, were objects of veneration.

The stupas gave subdued but effective expression to the quintessence of Buddhism - simplicity and serenity. There are five,  built by Sri Lankan monarchs - Thuparama, Mirisavetiya, Ruvanveliseya, Abahayagiri, and Jetavana the largest of them all, and smaller stupas at Minhintale (Indiketiseya) and at Vijayarama in Anuradhapura. Some of these huge edifices have exuberant architecture and ornate frontispieces Vahalkadas.

Another monumental ruin is the Lova Maha Paya or Brazen palace of unique construction at Anuradhapura. It was begun by King Dutta Gamini and is believed to have had nine storeys supported by 1000 granite pillars.

Stone, apparently, had played a limited role in sri lankan architecture. But in terms of variety and artistic achievements, the sculptures of Anuradhapura are rich and impressive as their architecture. An outstanding feature of these sculptures is the moonstone Sandakada Pahana considered by scholars as the finest product of Sinhala art and central to the theme of Buddhist worship.

Indian influence is prominent in other features of sculpture in Anuradhapura, for example, in the guardstones at Buddhist shrines. The Isurumuniya rock temple is renowned for its ornate rock carvings. Sirigirya is the outstanding monument of them all  - a complex of buildings consisting of a royal palace and fortress which together constitute a magnificent and unique tour de force. It is renowned for its exquisite frescos on a  cleft on the pathway of the rock.

The inscriptions and literature of the early Anuradhapura period show the paintings as an art form, had a long history and that sculpture and architecture were extensively practised. Buddhism also gave the greatest stimulus to literary activity. The Theravada brought to the island by Mahinda had been handed down orally. The scriptures were in Pali and it was this language that they were committed to writing for the first time at Aluvihare near Matale in the first century BC, and around the scriptures grew a considerable body of writing in Pali and old Sinhala consisting of exegetical works, religious texts and historical accounts. The earliest historical work in Pali is the Dipawansa. the Mahavamsa is also in Pali verse. The Culavamsa surveyed the island's history up to the reign of Parakrama Bahu I.

Art of writing

Sinhala as a distinct language and script rapidly developed under the joint stimuli of Pali and Buddhism. Indeed it would be true to say that the art of writing came to Sri Lanka with Buddhism. By the second century Ad, Sinhala was being used for literary purposes. Sinhala was enriched by translation from Pali and Sanskirit, the language of the Mahayanists, and Hindu scriptures left a strong impression on Sinhala, in later years.

Over 23 centuries have passed since Mahinda echoed the Master's word but His message is as fresh and evergreen today as it was when he first preached on the historic Missaka mountain and the cultural efflorescence that followed in its wake sprang from the fountainhead for the Buddha Dhamma and eventually moulded the destiny of the nation. Let us, therefore, when thinking of Poson, pay homage to the great saint for the rich legacy he has left us.

Doing as the Romans do 
- around the world 

I just love to travel. Now the girls are grown up, it is  very expensive, as their main interest is shopping ! No interest in culture at all ! I remember, my first visit overseas was to Bangkok, when we were just married. I was so naive that I thought all these young girls in the hotel were daughters of the owner! Only when I saw them going off with different men in tow, did it click ! Then we went on to Singapore, where my husband had to meet some businessmen. One night we were invited to dinner and I noticed their wives were much younger than them. One of them insisted on dropping us back at the hotel, and he stopped on the way and his `wife' got off with a hearty "byeee !" Once again I was enlightened!

Germany is a favourite destination of the whole family, as I have a super sister-in-law there, who really pampers us. The kids love it as she gives them ice cream and yoghurt for lunch ! Getting back to rice and curry is a task when we return ! My brother-in-law is very popular too, as his hobby is music, and he has a fully sound-proof and equipped studio. So, the kids have a ball pretending they are rock musicians ! The ancient German cities are so quaint and their churches, breathtaking. It's lovely to hear the church bells chiming too, they have all different chimes, and figurines come out and pirouette in time to the music.

Paris is one place I simply have to visit again, since we rushed through on our way to Euro Disney. Once, some pavement artists asked us whether they could do portraits of our kids. We chose a bunch of Chinese ones, since we wanted to help Asians. Apparently, they were working illegally. Suddenly there were shouts and the artists took their equipment and ran off in seconds, whilst a police car screeched to a stop and ran towards them menacingly. To our horror, we realised the kids had run off with them too! We had to shout at them to get them back. The police were eyeing us suspiciously and we gazed at the Eiffel Tower to show we were tourists ! When the coast was clear, the artists re-appeared like magic and told us they would finish the sketches on the banks of the Seine. One of them kept watch at the top of the stairs, and the masterpieces were completed after all !

I love England too, because of the culture and the theatre. I try to see at least one play when I am there. We took the kids to see Lord Of The Rings there, and my friends and I were exhausted after a tiring day, so the adults snored very loudly through most of it. (According to the kids we were a great embarrassment to them !) I kept jerking awake at the battle scenes, and dozing off again ! What a waste ! Another time, we took the kids to see Harry Potter and my husband thought he knew the way to the same theatre.

We got there safely, but after the movie, he must have taken a wrong turn and we were quite lost.  Nobody was out as they all go to bed early, not like over here. Finally, we saw two ladies get out of a car and my husband went running up the garden path towards them. I thought they would scream and chase him off, but they were quite nice, one of them had a map in the car and showed us where we were, and showed us the way back. Our hosts were worried and had not gone to bed wondering where we were !

Australia is lovely too, I loved the fairy penguins on Phillip Island, even though we had chosen the coldest night of the season ! They were so cute it was worth all the shivering ! The mining town of Ballarat was so well preserved, you could imagine you were living in that era ! You could actually go into pubs and sweet shops and buy goodies from that age. Quite yummy ! Everyone was dressed up in the street with crinoline dresses and frilly parasols. Glad I was not around then ! Ah well, nowadays of course I wish I could just push a button and be teleported without all the bother of travelling !

- Honky Tonk Woman