Update!

Oh hey!

So i finally found some time to sit at a computer remember my password and update this blog!. Waaahooooo. Sorry I have been pretty rubbish at keeping it update.

Where to even begin...

In some ways I cannot believe I have been here three weeks already but in other ways I feel like I have been here forever. It's amazing how quickly you can feel at home somewhere so very different to home. Staying with a host family has meant we have been totally immersed  in Sri Lankan culture; eating with our hands and hunting down spiders in the shower from day one. However, despite doing our best to fit in, we certainly can't avoid standing out when making our way around. Sri Lankans are so friendly and curious when they see groups of white people strolling around. This means that everywhere we go we're greeted by many smiling faces  asking 'where are you going' 'what are you doing?' 'why are you here?'  'where are you from?' etc etc. My favorite bit about this is when the buses containing loads of school children shouting 'what is your name' drive passed who when you respond think it's the funniest thing ever. In fact a lot of people over here seem to think we're particularly funny. At first I couldn't understand why untill the other day we were on the bus and two of the volunteers jumped on in a fluster sweating buckets and looking particularly bewildered and exactly how I feel every-time I board a bus packed to the max. Then I saw why we are so entertaining haha.

The projects I have been working on here are amazing. Wednesday is the day I get to volunteer at NIMH the huge psychiatric hospital. So far I have worked with women on a forensics ward plating bracelets and   communicating as best we could and then last week I was in the Occupational Therapy room where people go to do some exercise and arts and crafts. It's very very different from anything in England as the cultural differences means that they take a totally different stance on mental health.  As a psych student I am so lucky to be able to experience this. The other days in the week are split between childrens homes, special needs homes and teaching a class of engineers English. The children are sooooo energetic and the first time we visited the childrens home all greeted us singing who let the dogs out. They also LOVE Gangnam style which I realised during a game of simon says when 'simon says gangnam style' seemed to be the most popular command.
(I've sent out a longer email with more info about all the projects and psychologyish stuff for those interested and those who so kindly donated to my various fundraising attempts so let me know if you'd like it!)






This weekend was particularly adventurous including a trek up Sigiyia rock, a visit to the temple and riding elephants. Sri-Lanka is such a beautiful county and I can't wait to experience more of it! The elephant ride was amazing and bizzare. Clinging on for dear life on top of a massive animal in the midday sunshine. The view from the top of the rock was INCREDIBLE. And it was so great to experience it all with new  and lovely people. I also need to tell you about our ineteresting (to say the least) accommodation but I will save that for another day as I'm off to buy a
Saree before going to work at a boys home.

Lots of Love,
and some Sri Lankan sunshine
MEG xxx

The Boys sporting the best of Sri Lankan mens fashion