The Multi-ethnic experience

One of the great things about being in a different country is getting to know people with a different perspective from you. I’ve learned that there are definitely more things that unite us than divide us as people, but a different culture, upbringing and context can really put a different spin on things.

A couple of example for you. I’ve been trying to get in better shape this year. I’ve never had such a sedentary job so I have to work to get my exercise, and I’m a little worried about going from a year at sea level and a desk job to trekking in Nepal so…trying to get in shape and lose about 10 pounds. (less on the body means I can take more in the pack! Hmmm, as I sit here typing with one hand and eating cake with the other…) So, I proudly told a co-worker that I’d lost 5 pounds and she looked at me with this worried expression and said “Oh no, what’s wrong? Are you sick?!” I started laughing thinking about the “normal” reaction back home when you tell any woman you’ve lost weight. (Good, for you! You look fantastic, how did you do it?_. So, different context eh?

And speaking of “”eh”…last night we were at a movie night hosted by the Italian Red Cross staff here in Batticaloa. Among the group were 1 Italian, 1 Bangladeshi, 1 Brazilian, 2 Dutch, 2 French, one Malay, and 3 Canadians! For some reason, the talk turned to Canada (ok I started it) and we suffered through abuse about Mounties and maple syrup and the West Edmonton Mall! (of all things to know about Canada, they know about the mall formerly known as the largest mall in the world. Ahh yes, come to Canada and celebrate our tribute to consumerism.)

I was really amazed at how much everyone loved making fun of Canada. I don’t know what it is, maybe because we’re good at mocking ourselves or maybe because we just laugh and apologize. But it was pretty funny. The other thing they were making fun of is how far away everything is but we all talk like its’ just around the corner. We were saying that they all should come and see and they could visit us and we lived near the mountains. And the French guy says “Doesn’t everyone in Canada live “near” the mountains? People always say that…I live near the mountains, it’s only an 8 hour drive!” Which of course in Europe would put you in a different country.

It was so fun to be sitting around listening to several different languages at once. Especially since Europeans tend to know more than one language, there was typically a conversation going on in English, one in French and one in Dutch. And yet, we could all be united in our mockery of those funny Canadians. Actually come to think of it we were all united in our mockery of Toronto!

A quick update...

Scott is doing much better now thanks to the antibiotics he's on we think. And of course due to your prayers and concern. So thank you all, we felt very loved by all your responses.

Low points

Hey there;

I know that generally we have attempted to keep the blog upbeat, humorous and have only added a dash of political reality. However, this is more of an honest, where are we at commentary. So if that does not interest and you prefer to press on I won’t be hurt.

As some of you know I (Scott) have really been struggling with a nasty bit of Eczema. Now initially you might think big whoop, you are bothered because your skin is no long perfect alabaster? That seems a little vain.

Unfortunately if that was all it was you would be right. For the last three months my skin rash has come and gone with varying degrees of nastiness. At best it is only mildly irritating and I only have a dozen sores that are bleeding. Other times are much worse. Friday was one of the lower points in my time here and dealing with this. Basically 85% of my body is covered in this evil, nasty hives like rash. With the rash comes an insatiable itchiness where it only feels good when my fingernails are actually shredding the skin. Of course the result is that everything opens up and my body becomes one big infection. Hopefully that is enough detail without making you toss your lunch. There are times when I have to ask Alanna to leave the room so she doesn’t have to witness my rabid scratching like some possessed animal.

Well basically on Friday I was getting overheated (40 degrees in the shade) and as we were eating lunch hundreds of black little mites or bugs started crawling all over my skin and into my sores. The eeeeeeww factor was large but more importantly this exacerbated the itchiness by a factor of 10!. There are very few times in life when I would say I was miserable or suffering but this would be one of them.

We are now in Colombo and have booked ourselves into a locale that has AC so I can take refuge from the heat. I have seen multiple dermatologists over the months and am hopped up on steroid cream (yes I am becoming even more muscular than before), anthihistamines, antibiotics and painkillers. A wonderful drug cocktail. Currently I am beginning to feel a little better as all my skin is shedding and the drugs and chemicals take effect. This has been the pattern for the last few months. I just hope and pray that we can get this thing under control.

Well those are the thoughts and reality for today. No pictures for this blog it would be similar to a disturbing photo you would see in a medical journal. Sorry none to peppy but…

Make it a great day