Sunday, November 21, 2010

So much has happened in the past six months, I was suffering from writers’ cramp



How do I summarize in the space of a blog entry what has happened? Well I don’t know how. It has been filled with trips to places and discovering more, even taking the dogs on the back of the pick up on vacation/ working holidays. I recommend a slow drive up or down the Bogawantalawa cut to Balangoda a road I been for the first time a few months ago and determined to take a picnic lunch and go again to appreciate the varying forests and tea estates of the Bogawantalawa valley and most of all the peace and tranquility.

There have been additions of more calves on the farm, with varying theories of how to maximize the yields from the cows. Generational fights called young vs old with me fighting for the youth for change against the old who blame the youth as being lazy, and the youth saying they cannot take orders from a bunch of old geezers who sit back and do nothing expecting them to do all the work. I lost the skirmish and have to suffer the daylight robbery that is taking place. Its called respecting the elders in Sri Lanka!!!

I have been working all hours and have also been in the thick of the stock market boom in Sri Lanka with not a share to my name, but having safely made millions tax free for clients who I am at pains to explain the world of risk and reward, something very alien to Sri Lanka it seems. Sometimes I have been working in the office till 6.30pm on a Friday, then going to a cocktail function of a leading Conglomerate, chatting with the MD on how he could improve his share price if only he could show more transparency to inspire investor confidence, only to leave for Polonnaruwa at 9.30pm getting to sleep on my bed made of branches in an open verandah at 2.30am.

I still hold my open house on Tuesdays in a flat in Colombo, entertaining a cross section of society, serving Cheeses from all over the world, courtesy of friends and relatives just back from foreign climes, along with a selection of red and white wines. Recent guests have included, captains of industry and commerce, big time jewelers, small time lawyers, designers and artistes; new MPs of the government and opposition, friends and relatives from overseas and all just interesting conversationalists who enjoy meeting new people.

I have had the usual travails on the farm, where instructions are not followed, alcoholics roam, police reports to vouch for the those under my direction, even though I am not sure of their complicity in the infraction. The unreliable staff, agricultural tools, weather, water supply and theft all contributing to chaos. It is surprising that anything gets done on the fields in Sri Lanka given the attitudes prevailing.

In fact this crazy life was even filmed by a film maker from the UK following me one day on my produce delivery route from house to house, then one day at the office in the clouds in the World Trade Center, then on the fields in Hingurakgoda coupled with a trip to see the elephants at the Minneriya National Park, interviewing all those around about what they thought of this vagabond.

All this fortunately with no time off for a head ache! I will just carry on where I left off!

18 comments:

Kirigalpoththa said...

Man you live a fascinating life in two worlds!

I have heard about the Bogawanthalawa - Balangoda road and once went halfway. Must do the full trip oneday. Thanks for the lead :)

cj said...

Good to see you writing once more.

George said...

What a relief to read you again. Welcome back, Ranjit.

Frank said...

Hi Ranjit,
What a gorgeous pic - that lake or body of water. Hear, hear - great to have your words back again and glad I was able to spur you on again to resume writing.

Your double life is indeed fascinating and is certainly not mundane or boring.

Keep up the writing - much enjoyed at this end.

Cheers,
Frank

Anonymous said...

Glad to have you back. It is time for you to write a book.

I have just finished reading a book by a lankan author about the plantation industry.

He has written several books and I keep thinking the material in your blog is much more interesting.

You need to get in touch with his publisher!

Rajaratarala said...

these two photos were taken from the balcony, when I was holidaying with some friends at a villa overlooking the Castlereagh Reservoir near Hatton in the hill country.

Iranda Kumarasiri said...

It is indeed great to see you back.I was wondering what had happened to you.Whether you gave up everything and went back to a foreign country!You may not know me,but I read about your life and your writings very eagerly.Keep it up.Don't stop writing.Cheers!

Iranda Kumarasiri said...

Oh and by the way, great photos the above two.Makes me feel proud and happy about my country especially since I am working in a desert land of oil with sand,dust and concrete everywhere!

Magerata said...

Welcome back!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Fabulous photos. The top one is amazing! Castlereigh is one of the most scenic places in SL. May I know the villa you mentioned?

Anonymous said...

Rajaratarala,

I just happened to type in your blog name on the off chance that there was a new entry after nearly .5 years, and lo and behold you've started writing again.

I'm very pleased to read your writings again and hope you will continue.

Where can we see the movie about you? Will it be on Youtube?

Anonymous said...

Yes,

When will we get to see the movie!

Hopefully you can post the video on youtube and link it to the blog!

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