The southern coast of Sri Lanka: true paradise

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 Legions of stories and books have been  written waxing poetic about Sri Lanka's fabled coast.  It is beautiful and unspoilt  (mostly) but pristine is not something one can easily find in our climate changing world.  A lot of the 
coral reefs are degraded and third world does not yet have the consciousness of throwing garbage in a designated receptacle; garbage,plastic,wrappers are thrown Every Where.

I did find myself relaxing after the rigors of working the Galle Music Festival on a lovely stretch of beach: Mirissa.  Small and uncomplicated and intoxicating..... because of its gentle nature, beautiful climate of heat and breeze and very very clean water.  Lots of surfers too.  This is where I had my injury; I am still dealing with the pain two months later.
But i should have stayed in the protected cove of Mirissa, where the surf was always calm..... but i ventured down that beckoning beach.......

travelin' woman

The festival of Mirissa fishermen

the parade of young men : all fishermen

 On the full moon in early March I witnessed a wild parade; fishermen celebrating their holiday.  I had heard about it and the night before I was ready to attend but was discouraged by the hotel managers telling me, "they are Extremely drunk and you wouldn't enjoy it"  Okay ; perhaps not the best way  to spend an evening but I certainly was game to experience the festivities the next day.  This was completely secular festival, the Buddhist rituals were  null as was a trip to the local temple. (when i found out is was "secular", this is the real reason  why i did not attend the nighttime "party")

the most interesting part of the parade was viewing the paintings on their body

there was a brass band; a little like Mardi Gras

It was a testosterone filled event: loud ,raucous and celebratory for the local fishermen.  This is the area of the world where they often fish on stilts.  The location of the stilt is passed down generation to generation of fishermen.


travelin' woman

Awareness + Action on May 5,2012

Connect the dots. (www.350.org.)

An international/global day of activism to bring awareness to  plight of the climate change.  The earth will  remain alive, but will it be conducive to house its occupants?

(350 is the tipping point for too much carbon dioxide... we are currently at 390...... please go to the website for more in-depth scientific explanation)

My health seems to mimic the Vermont spring.  Some days it soars toward strong healing; other days it retreats back to listless, weak and vulnerable.

My intention is stronger though..... and I plan on attending Vermont's main "dot" in Waitsfield, 2.1/2 hours away.  Here in Vermont, Hurricane Irene showed her wrath by  intense flooding, washing away covered bridges hundred(s) of years old and decimated housing and road.


Please go to the website and see how the international community is responding with their own "connect the dots".  It's quite inspiring. And please check out where the closest event to you is happening..... so that "connecting the dots" becomes personal......as well as political...... because fomenting change in our entrenched  Capitalist country, of  oil subsidies, and unfair access  (legalized corruption)  to those who make policy in our system, lax enforcement, oversight  and erosion of environmental laws  needs to come from the People.  The tipping point is past.
(and I  do not include the "personhood" of a corporation!)

This peril is the legacy we will leave  our children and grandchildren............ and that unto itself should lead you to take an active role in supporting democracy in action.


your friend and tree hugger,
phyllis





travelin' woman