Worth the Journey

I was just starting to wonder if the long trip was really worth it -- travelling for several days, getting up at the crack of dawn to catch a train, feeling exhausted... and then I got to Jaffna, where I used to live. It's been a whirlwind of reunions since. Definitely worth the journey. The best part has been seeing some of the eighteen girls from the girls home where I used to spend a lot of time. They're like little sisters to me, and now they are all grown up. Many of them were from difficult backgrounds and faced a lot of discrimination. When I first came, we barely managed to communicate with each other. Now, some have finished college and are teachers and social workers, and helping to improve their communities. Some are finishing high school, and are doing really well -- playing on the school sports teams, on the school counsel, and just sweet, beautiful, spunky young women. Some are married now and have kids -- which makes me feel really old!

We spent a wonderful day together, going on an adventure around the Jaffna peninsula to Kashurina beach; to a sacred Buddhist site, a famous Hindu temple and a unique little Catholic shrine -- all of which used to be in the high security zone during the war and off-limits to civilians; and on a really amazing boat ride in a fishing boat, in the village where one of the girls lives. About fourteen of us climbed into this long, narrow wooden boat, squealing as it rocked back and forth so much that we were sure we were going to tip over. Luckily, the water was only 2 or 3 feet deep! We sailed out a long ways - it felt like we were at the far ends of the earth. Then, the two fishermen in the boat used poles to push us all the way back to the shore. It was a really magical experience.

And that was just the beginning -- the past week has been full of amazing, colorful, unforgettable moments with old friends exploring this incredible place. So much has changed here since I left, so much new construction and development, and in many ways life is much easier and more convenient. The roads are better, there's much more access to the internet, nice restaurants, even resort hotels -- things you wouldn't have imagined 9 years ago. I have lots of stories and pictures I will share later. For now, poyitu varein -- I will go and come. Off to explore and visit some more!