So, I have moved in with my family, begun Sinhala classes, regained my hearing and my senses, and have STILL not gotten used to the humidity.
My host family is amazing. They are very open and friendly, and we get along great. My brother is nice, but quiet, and no - he does not look like Arnold. My middle sister comes and stays every weekend from Colombo, so we spent some time together. I also got to spend time with my oldest sisters son, playing cops and robbers in the yard. too much fun
being told I must leave
ttys
<3 bryanna
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Just Arrived
I must say, that for being an expert traveler and lover of all things to do with traveling and airports, I have never had a more miserable experience in my life.
LA to Chicago = realizing that I have a horrid sinus infection of some kind, as every part of my sinuses popped on the descent (all 30 minutes of it).
Chicago to Frakfurt = not able to sleep at all because my nose was soooo stuffed up that I could not breathe out of my nose. I did end up sleeping for about 20 minutes, drooling all over myself, and waking up with a sore throat.
Frankfurt = almost falling asleep while standing up. FYI - there is no where to sit down in Frankfurt unless you go to a restaurant or check in to your flight (which you can only do an hour before hand).
Frankfurt to Columbo = Finally got some sleep after borrowing one of the other girl's Afrin spay (ugh! Do I have to mention how much of a germaphob I AM!?!?) and getting 6 hours of blissful, passed out relief.
Columbo to Kandy = 3 hour drive, where I could neither hear, taste, nor smell. We got breakfast. All I can tell you is that it was spicy and warm, but nothing else. Grandma - you would never survive on the food here. EVERYTHING is spicy! I just can't wait til I can actually taste it!
So, horrible trip, to say the least. But the people I am traveling with are very supportive and are putting up with my constant nose blowing (my mating call, yeah right), and asking "huh?" after every sentence because I have yet to get my hearing back. (It feels like I have earplugs in). I fell asleep on the bus ride, which sucked because I missed the sites, but helped because my ears were making me feel dizzy.
Right now I am at an internet cafe in Kandy. Next we will be going to get basic supplies like shampoo and soap, then onto our orientation, a hike, and dinner. We are not allowed to sleep until tonight and, although I understand the reasoning, I find it hard to function on 7 hours sleep for 2 days. (yeah did I mention I only sleep a couple of hours the night before I left as well - sorry grandma).
Weather - OMG! SOOOO HUMID! At least I will get clean pores and won't need the makeup and hair stuff I left at home.
I know I sound miserable (and trust me, my body seconds this), but I am still excited for this journey in my life and hopeful that I will get better soon. No more traveling at great lengths for a while at least. Sunday I move in with my family so I hope I get better by then.
Not sure when I'll be on next, but feel free to email/write me!
Love from Abroad,
Bryanna
LA to Chicago = realizing that I have a horrid sinus infection of some kind, as every part of my sinuses popped on the descent (all 30 minutes of it).
Chicago to Frakfurt = not able to sleep at all because my nose was soooo stuffed up that I could not breathe out of my nose. I did end up sleeping for about 20 minutes, drooling all over myself, and waking up with a sore throat.
Frankfurt = almost falling asleep while standing up. FYI - there is no where to sit down in Frankfurt unless you go to a restaurant or check in to your flight (which you can only do an hour before hand).
Frankfurt to Columbo = Finally got some sleep after borrowing one of the other girl's Afrin spay (ugh! Do I have to mention how much of a germaphob I AM!?!?) and getting 6 hours of blissful, passed out relief.
Columbo to Kandy = 3 hour drive, where I could neither hear, taste, nor smell. We got breakfast. All I can tell you is that it was spicy and warm, but nothing else. Grandma - you would never survive on the food here. EVERYTHING is spicy! I just can't wait til I can actually taste it!
So, horrible trip, to say the least. But the people I am traveling with are very supportive and are putting up with my constant nose blowing (my mating call, yeah right), and asking "huh?" after every sentence because I have yet to get my hearing back. (It feels like I have earplugs in). I fell asleep on the bus ride, which sucked because I missed the sites, but helped because my ears were making me feel dizzy.
Right now I am at an internet cafe in Kandy. Next we will be going to get basic supplies like shampoo and soap, then onto our orientation, a hike, and dinner. We are not allowed to sleep until tonight and, although I understand the reasoning, I find it hard to function on 7 hours sleep for 2 days. (yeah did I mention I only sleep a couple of hours the night before I left as well - sorry grandma).
Weather - OMG! SOOOO HUMID! At least I will get clean pores and won't need the makeup and hair stuff I left at home.
I know I sound miserable (and trust me, my body seconds this), but I am still excited for this journey in my life and hopeful that I will get better soon. No more traveling at great lengths for a while at least. Sunday I move in with my family so I hope I get better by then.
Not sure when I'll be on next, but feel free to email/write me!
Love from Abroad,
Bryanna
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
ADDRESS
As most of you all know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting mail! So, if anyone feels like making my day, here is my address in Sri Lanka
Bryanna Benedetti
c/o ISLE Center
75 Dangolla Road
Kandy, Sri Lanka
fyi - mail may take up to two weeks to reach me, so be warned!
Bryanna Benedetti
c/o ISLE Center
75 Dangolla Road
Kandy, Sri Lanka
fyi - mail may take up to two weeks to reach me, so be warned!
My Sri Lankan Family
I am staying with a large family in Sri Lanka.
My mother is a florist and bridal dresser.
Her husband is a retired Economics lecturer.
My oldest sister teaches English at the University of Peradeniya. She is married and has a son.
My middle sister is 29 and works as a merchandiser at NEXT. She loves Michael Jackson and is very into fashion.
My youngest sister is studying Business Management in the US.
My brother is a 23 year old body builder who has won several competitions and is studying for the CIMA exams.
They also have two pet dogs, like taking family walks, and both men play instruments.
Sounds pretty cool, huh?
My mother is a florist and bridal dresser.
Her husband is a retired Economics lecturer.
My oldest sister teaches English at the University of Peradeniya. She is married and has a son.
My middle sister is 29 and works as a merchandiser at NEXT. She loves Michael Jackson and is very into fashion.
My youngest sister is studying Business Management in the US.
My brother is a 23 year old body builder who has won several competitions and is studying for the CIMA exams.
They also have two pet dogs, like taking family walks, and both men play instruments.
Sounds pretty cool, huh?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Countdown Begins
10 days.
I have 10 days until I leave on 2 day journey to Sri Lanka, where I will live for 4 months. Elephants and funny symbols for a language and friendly people and religious diversity at its best. Living on a tiny island on the other side of the world, not knowing a soul. Buddhist shrines and curried dishes and string hoppers and ethnic conflicts. Incense and Ceylon teas and jungles with dirt paths. Experiencing another world within my own.
I am excited, yet oh so scared.
But, I have always promised myself adventure, so here I go. Although I am apprehensive, I will not hold myself back from immersing myself in the culture and learning all I can. After all, what is life for if not to live it to the fullest. Try everything (that is safe) once, be open to new experiences, don't hold back, and live!
Wish me luck!
I have 10 days until I leave on 2 day journey to Sri Lanka, where I will live for 4 months. Elephants and funny symbols for a language and friendly people and religious diversity at its best. Living on a tiny island on the other side of the world, not knowing a soul. Buddhist shrines and curried dishes and string hoppers and ethnic conflicts. Incense and Ceylon teas and jungles with dirt paths. Experiencing another world within my own.
I am excited, yet oh so scared.
But, I have always promised myself adventure, so here I go. Although I am apprehensive, I will not hold myself back from immersing myself in the culture and learning all I can. After all, what is life for if not to live it to the fullest. Try everything (that is safe) once, be open to new experiences, don't hold back, and live!
" I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life."
- Henry David Thoreau
Wish me luck!
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