#

The monks are really going out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I think they were a little worried when I was so sick. It’s been difficult meeting new people and having to rely on them and ask them for so much straight away. Every morning they bring me breakfast and then lunch and Sumana is always there fetching things I need and helping me. It is like being in a first class hotel in that respect really! He just came in with a bottle of bleach and cleaning products from the city. They will not let me pay. Last night I was lying on the bed under the mosquito net (as I was sick) and Sumana proceeded to cut the skin off a pineapple for me to eat with a blunt knife as I had not eaten all day and that was all I could stomach. It must have taken him about one hour.  My health is returning, slowly. It’s actually really fun to chat with them, they are so funny. Especially Ven Khemika. He said yesterday that the reason he likes to make people laugh is because he enjoys seeing them smiling and happy because our lives are so short.  Their warmth and kindness is sincere, divine. I admire this in them and want to be like that too. The way they misuse the English language is adorable too. It’s great when you get to know their individual personalities.  This is probably what I enjoy the most and what I look forward to doing in my future classes. They all like to play their favourite English songs from their phones to me and ask me to help them to sing it.

My designer perfume has become my insect spray. It is very effective they don’t seem to like it very much even though it is by Lancome.  
 

I have learnt some of their names now. In the large photo above from left to right are: (front row) Ven Khemika, Ven Sandima, Viriya, (second row) Aggavansa, Sobhana & I’m not sure of the final monk.  

“Sadhu” means well said or well done and is said after a chant. I suppose it’s the equivalent to “Amen” in Christainty or “Amin” in Islam. “Sayardaw” means master. 

The best purchase I made in preparation for this place was my solar powered emergency lantern. There are blackouts here regularly and there is no working light in the bathroom so I use it every night. I especially need it to check for Piper the Viper every time I walk into the bathroom. Although I am not in constant fear and dread whenever I am in there now, I still check for him before I enter. Weiyang, if you are reading this, thank you for helping me to find the lantern. It is essential for me here. Especially because a German teacher that was here for 2 days stole my small torch!

It is so peaceful here. The mornings are sublime, the insects have departed and you can hear the birds and wind in the trees. No construction. No motocycles or cars zooming past. No SMRT buses. I am relishing the peace.