Sri Lanka so far

This will be a quick entry, as I really need to get to bed.  Tomorrow will be another early start at the school.  We leave at 6:15 am, to take the 6:30 train from Columbo to Ragama.  The train ride is 25 minutes. The first day I was driven to the school by Mary's driver, who picked me up at her house.  (She was gracious enough to let me stay at her place when I arrived at 1 am). Today I did commute by train. 

So far life in Sri Lanka is completely different that Bangkok.  Bangkok is a modern city by all standards; fancy shopping malls, condos, etc.  Here in Sri Lanka life is a little more simple and rustic. 

(I will talk more about the school in my next entry, but today I really wanted to start with the train).  Lucky for me, my commute to the school in Ragama is in the opposite of the commuters heading into Columbo city.  The train heading opposite to mine (whether its in or out of the city) is always packed; people hanging out the doors, and even on the roof like you see in pictures of the National Geographic magazines.  Its crazy.  My first day on the train I was lucky enough to see this chaotic sight.  Not every train is that packed to the point there are people on the roof, but for some reason yesterday's commute was particularly busy.   Not so lucky for me, because I had to carry all my luggage onto the train.  I had the help of my new temporary family, Hanah and Emil, a Swedish couple teaching at the P& O school in Ragama.  They have welcomed me into their apartment in Columbo and I am staying in their spare room.  Its really nice to have friends to show you the ropes the first few days you are in a new country.  I am so grateful for this.