Sari Stories. Our first week here, we were invited by Swarna (1st picture, HIV/AIDS and Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator) to her house for dinner. In addition to a fantastic Sri Lankan meal - she gave me 6 meters of fabric to have a Sari made, as a gift. Adam and I went to Galle, where I was measured for a jacket and an underskirt. The seamstress took 22 measurements for the jacket, written straight down the page in a line, in the middle of a spiral notebook - with not a single word of identification as to what was being measured. It's a miracle that it didn't turn out with 3 arm holes or something. I was shocked when it was ready when she said it would be -- and astonished that it actually fit. The day of my sari debut at Headquarters, Mrs. Major Jaya (2nd picture, the wife of my boss's boss) invited me into their apartment to help me get dressed. FORTY-FIVE minutes later, we emerged. Both wringing wet with sweat. It is no small feat to get yourself into a sari and have all the pleats gathered, stuffed, and laying just right -- with the right decorative end showing in the right direction -- in a manner secure enough that you don't lose your clothes, yet loose enough that you can still walk without hiking your sari up (that's a big no-no).

We had a huge community ceremony at Gallegodawatta last Saturday. So, Martina (our Irish team member) agreed to wear sari's. Gida (orange & white shirt) lives on our street and invited us into her house, where she would help "drape" us. Her English is fantastic. She is the mother of 2 daughters & twin sons. Her parents live with them and her husband is working in Iraq as a logistician for the American Army. (It is not uncommon for one family member to move to the Middle East for employment and send their earnings back to the family.) She is absolutely delightful and has the sweetest spirit. She invited us into her home -- spent an hour per person "draping" Martina and me -- and served us tea. Her hospitality was overwhelming. We later brought her flowers as a "thank you," and since then, she has been inviting us for tea every day when we pass in the street.





Mindy, Martina, & Major Pat Kiddoo (Assistant Director of SAWSO) - trying to look as stately as possible at the Gallegodawatta ceremony.