What's Tamil for...

Bodies? My Tamil hasn't improved (much? at all?) yet, but this I understand. Everyone just says bodies. It's slightly more alarming because in a huge conversation, it's the only word that I can pick out. Definitely a sobering start to the new year, and one that I won't ever forget. Thanks everyone who contacted myself or my parents, I apologize for the lack of communication. As usual I'll get pics up asap, but right now I just want to jot down a few thoughts.

First off, myself, and all of my traveling companions are safe and sound. We were about 30 mins away from the heavily hit sites, and I was amazed, and proud, of how everyone pulled together to help those in need. Students from various countries were in the area, and everyone (save for me...again, "yet") shared a common language which made things a little easier to organize. We collected extra clothes, money, medical supplies and helped distribute them to schools which were housing displaced families.

The days kind of blend together so I don't quite remember what happened when. I have my "journal", which is now 3 pieces of scrap paper that have some notes scribbled on them...I'll have a day free tomorrow when I'll finally be able to collect my thoughts and write a proper entry. Anyway...so what happened?

We were on a tour of some neighboring cities when we heard ambulances in the distance. Shortly thereafter we saw several pass by. We didn't think much of it, and continued on our schedule. Later in the day it became evident that something was amiss, and we were informed that a tidal wave had hit and casualties were reported in the hundreds. We were quickly hustled back into the bus to regroup. Watching the BBC (which was the first and last outside media contact I'd have for a while) filled in a lot of the details I missed. Perspective is an interesting study. From where I was sitting, the death toll stood in the thousands. But the focus was on the 40 tourists in Thailand that were reported killed or missing. Ironically, that's where my concern lay as well, but I later found out that my friends (my family :) ) were safe in Thailand. Anyway, what I was saying about perspective...there was a collective groan as it was clear there would be very little news on the situation in Sri Lanka, and it's hard to grasp the magnitude of a situation like this when you're in the thick of it. (sorry i thought I was going somewhere with that, but apparently not...so awkward segue and new paragraph)

The day after the first wave hit we traveled to schools that temporarily housed the survivors. We collected information about relatives in foreign countries, to help get families in contact with each other. It's crazy how disasters really bring out the best and worst in people. There was a family we talked to who said they fled their homes, but it turned out were from unaffected regions. They later said they wanted some medical supplies and clothes. I realize in the end they still had a need and were likely impoverished, but I can't fathom how one could "fake" need like that. Especially in context of real survival stories.

Like the 16 people killed in one family.
Like the mother who said "I have 4 children, but only two hands."
Like the little boy who simply said, "My mother is gone."

It's crazy. I keep saying that, but it's still as true as the first time. I'd like to say we helped, but we were a placebo (ed. not my phrase, credit to UK-G). We looked like help, but real help takes time. We talked to survivors, distributed supplies, tried to get contact information to send word to family overseas...but the real work is digging the latrines, the real work is spraying chemicals to prevent disease, the real work is lifting toppled walls and carrying the crouching bodies out from underneath. But I'll be staying for a while. I want to help. I need to help.

In this situation, I realize how far I have to go; how much more I have to "grow" (rhyme unintentional); there is a certain breed of person, a character that emerges that cannot be taught. While walking around the school, gathering information, I saw another student from Canada without his slippers on. I asked where they were, and he said "I took them off before entering the school," and he then changed the topic.

Nobody took off their shoes. He gave them to someone who needed them more. I'd be humbled many more times throughout week, but that was a hell of a start.

Kinda depressing? Yeah, sorry about that. But I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season, and for that I'm grateful. Happy New Years, and take care.

PS - I'll send personal replies shortly (one week?), but right now I'm going to sleep in a van to wake up at 4 am to drive to the border. (For my parents who are now reading this blog, I'm going to sleep in a house, and it's not missing a window on the back door) (this choose your own adventure style courtesy of Rohit, my blog guru)

PPS - A few people were curious about the camera I'm using. It's the Canon PowerShot S1 IS.

Sri Lanka