Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

After 5 weeks in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, hopped on a flight from Bangkok to Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Big difference here from the previous countries.

Teaching of English in Sri Lanka is reserved for the Sri Lankans, a pity really, as only a small portion of the pop. master the language in the true sense, but that is the Government Policy.

More soon from this country, with a variety of religions and people (Tamil and Sinhalese).

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:50 am Post subject:

Do you like Sri Lanka?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

The British Council in colombo and Kandy were recently advertising for native speakers.

BTW Ghost head down to Unawatuna, it is paradise on earth.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Not to mention Polanaruwa, Anaradhapura, Sigiria and Kandy.
Sri Lanka is GOOD (notwithstanding a little local bother).

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thanks for the advice and postings.

Lanka is preferred to Thailand etc...because the people are much friendlier here. Poster has visited many Lanka homes in the Negombo area, and these are all poor fisherman homes. Very kind people. This would never happen in Thailand etc....where the people are all smiles, but keep foreigners at arms length.

Negombo city is where poster is at present. Interesting variety of religions (Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim) and Tamils and Sinhalese cohabiting in harmony (or so it seems).

Costs here are about double the costs of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc...and the lodging and food are expensive for what you get.

But the advantage of Lanka over those other countries are the people, and the genuine interest they have for foreigners...not the false smiles you get in Thailand and Vietnam.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I agree you with Ghost. The friendliness of Lankans is very genuine and unsurpassed. Due to all the different religions livivng next to each other I hear the holidays are great there.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Yes - DMB and FGT were fortunate in visiting Lanka, for the friendliness of the people and the interesting variety of cultures and even scenery, for just a few hours from Colombo, you are in the highlands in Kandy, and then a short while later as high as 2500 metres in Nureliya....

Ghosts favourite countries in Asia are the Philippines and Sri Lanka, both these countries miles ahead of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, and again it comes down to people not things.

Some people travel for things and cheap prices, but in poster's case, travel is more for the human angle.

Lanka is as good as it gets for a nice vacation. Living here on a permanent basis would not be bad with a good job, although the heat in the lowlands can be stifling at this time of year.

Best wishes all Turkish ESL teachers from Lanka.

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Best wishes to Serendip from Turkiye. Let me know if you bump into Arthur C. Clarke or hear mention of John Still (author of "Jungle Tide", at one time used as a set book in Sri Lanka [about Ceylon, as it then was], he was my grandfather. Please excuse multiple brackets!

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Arthur C. Clarke, is an interesting character who has produced novels which have sold well.

He is something of a controversial character, because of his unorthodox and professed love for Sri Lankan youth. And of course there is nothing intrinsically wrong with that, but in Western minds, he is considered somewhat eccentric, and this has been unjust, because he has been tainted in a way which would not have arisen, if his private life had not been revealed. The poor man has been judged more for his private life than his intrinsic worth, and that is really nonsense. No wonder he has become something of a recluse, like some other Brits. who live in the Lankan highlands, and who wish no more contact with Western people.

Clarke, lives somewhat off the beaten track, and one cannot blame him, for the British press have hounded him for years, with regard to his private life.

It will soon be election time in Lanka, and ghost has been advised not to venture into the streets after 6pm, because it is a dangerous time. There will be a curfew every day from 6pm-6am during election time. There have already been two shootings - one in Colombo, the other in Tricomanlee.

More soon from this great Island, with its majestic people.

johnslat

To see what Sir Arthur C. Clarke had to say about those charges, follow this link:

http://www.sfwa.org/News/clarkeup.htm

Regards,
John

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Six dead, dozens injured this weekend in Turkey, and it's only LOCAL elections!

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: Elections in the best city .

Yes on that subject it looks like the AKP swept the board bit like the Oscars really I wonder what that means at the grass root level . On a happier note the fair city of Izmir retains the same leadership so hopefully living here will become more enjoyable ,I think this is the best city in the country .

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

Ghost !

Could uit be that one has found a place where one feels comfortable ? Will one settle down in Sri Lanka ?

I think one should tell the denizens of Dave's.

Yours with bated breath

Abdul Albulbul Emir

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

'Abdul Albulbul Emir'

Ah yes... I once heard a song about you, late at night at a folk festival, sung by an ex-RN matelot. A classic, if I may say so... and one never likely to be comprehensibly posted on Dave's.

salaam

Sue

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Now the sons of the prophet are many and bold,
and quite unaccustomed to fear,
........................................"

This was quite a well known song but I have no memory - short-term or long-term.

Where is johnslat when we need him !