Arrived at the Sunday market approx 4 miles away and looked around the clothes Etc but soon got bored... Its a guy thing... then moved on to the fruit, veg and spices market, that was a lot more interesting. Got some good Photos too. It was here that I was befriended by a Sri Lankan. He took me to the fish area on the beach where they process the fish and dry them out ready to be sold. I saw the fishing boats they used and saw several fishermen repairing nets. A number of Children ran up to me & wanted their picture taking.Well it turned into a bit of a party. Several Kids appeared from no where then Mum and Dad and a few friends. Took the photos and then got invited to their house on the beach. They lost their house in the Tsunami and are now living in a wooden hut /shack. I looked inside. There was a push bike against the wall, 2 plastic patio chairs and a mattress on the floor. That was it! There was Mum Dad and I think 4 kids. They cooked outside in an old pot.Despite all of this they are all smiling & appear happy. The parents just wanted me to meet their children.They asked if they could have a copy of the Photo's & they gave me their name & address for me to post it to them. I'm going to see if I can get the Prints done in town and I will visit them again this time with Some Pens and pencils and a few basic provisions.We then Walked around the corner into this lake area with fishing boats and again took Some Photos and got Invited into another house. Not once was I asked for money by the adults despite them having very little. walked back to the town got a tut tut back home. All in all a very productive day. regards, Malcolm.
