The Day After the Elections

A ghost town. No other way to describe it. Now granted today was declared a national holiday by the government, but even on regular holidays here there is more vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Today was the day that the Sri Lankan presidential elections winner would be announced. It was no surprise who won, the incumbent.

As mentioned before it was a rather messy election. Barbs thrown out on both sides. To think just last year these two worked hand in hand and now are enemies.

I kept up with the election results via Twitter which made for some rather interesting bits of information. It was pretty neat watching updates come in literally by the second.

The opposition (General Fonseka) and his staff was staying at the Cinnamon Lakeside, where Chris and I had dinner last Friday night. The army decided to surround the hotel. They said for his protection, he said to assassinate him. Last I checked he was still there. Could you imagine if the Army had surrounded John McCain's house the U.S.A. after the election?

I could hear the fireworks inside my office, my boss commented what we were both thinking "I hope that's fireworks". When I walked home it was a surreal scene to say the least. The streets are empty and covered in confetti, there is a rainbow in the sky, the sun is going down over the ocean, the humidity is so thick it's hard to breath and the sound of drums coming from the presidential palace.

Wondering what tomorrow brings.

Big Plastic Buddha

Just an update on the apartment Buddha. Gave him a knock and sure enuff, plastic! I'll take a picture and update as soon as I can.

Welcome Back

Wanted to extend a warm welcome to my wife who after a long hiatus of not reading my blog has recently returned to reading it and editing it with gusto. I will probably get in trouble for posting this.

I'd also like to thank all of my faithful readers who have followed the Doc Report since its transition from email to blog format.

Where I had lost many of my original readers, I have picked up a whole world, literally, of new readers which is pretty neat.

Which remind me it's probably time to repeat the Doc Report manifesto. Okay, there will be grammar mistakes, English comp wasn't one of my best subjects. For that matter, not sure I even took it. I try to not to go long periods of time without updating my blog, but every now and then I will hit a slump. I do moderate my comments so please don't spam me.

But most of all I am happy that your reading my blog!

Long Bumpy Ride

I volunteered today to be an unofficial "reporter" of sorts for the election. I went on a ride 45 minutes into the interior of the country. This by itself does not sound like much but when it's 45 minutes of bumpy roads, passing buses, avoiding pedestrians and just about everything else Sri Lanka has to throw at you, it can be one fun experience.

Fortunately our driver was very professional and handled the 5 speed armored Toyota Landcruiser with ease on the roads. I'd really love one myself, a diesel 5 speed Toyota Landcruiser, never find one in the States, but nice to dream. It doesn't have to be armored ; 0

Well the funny thing about this trip is I'm thinking, I must be the only Westerner out here, I can't even pronounce half the names of the towns and on our way back I notice a western tourist couple resting on bicycles taking pictures of a river. So much for that.