From:  Conny Baumann
Date:  Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005
Subject: "Howzit!!!"

There is so much to tell, and I just want to keep laughing and jumping up and down, but the stereotypical stares of Londoners reminds me to act appropriately, pull my mouth in a straight line, avoid eye contact and walk swiftly by!  What an amazing amazing time I have had, and what an eye opener again.  It is amazing how quickly we forget what we see, feel and know our hearts say in certain situations.  I got off the plane, so tired, emotional, thought there was no way I was getting on a tube in a hysteria of tears, got a cab instead, and managed to bartar him down.  Once we got here, his meter was double to what the agreed price was, so I gave him the amount shown, and he refused to take it!  Have you ever, a cab not taking the metred price.  So there you go.  Think he was just amazed I had the guts to set a price.  Maybe being a girl, and crying helped!  My flat, that used to be very very noisy, now seems extremely quiet compared to the manic buses and horns and bikes and tuk tuks of Sri Lanka.  And in some odd why feels slightly comforting.  I find myself opening the windows just to hear the traffic.  Sleeping, well that is just not happening, and find myself waking up continuously, looking for a cat that obviously does not exist over here.  (The cat from the house-sitting house). Or hearing other people breathing or moving about.   It is amazing how things become routine or habit in such a short time.  Got home to a very moldy filled fridge, great, and massive cue outside Sainsbury, nutters, I still don't understand why people cue outside a supermarket on a Sunday....waiting for it's doors to open, they could be at home chilling for an extra ten minutes instead.  Went to a friend for lunch who is Italian, and her constant "eat, eat" just make me double with laughter, flown half way round the world and the word "eat" still follows.    I leave for South Africa today, and have totally mixed feelings about it all, I was so excited to go a few weeks ago, thinking, that's it, moving home for good....but now, yes, I have changed my mind, I am not so sure!   I think about all the people I have met, and the things we have accomplished and there is no way I could have done it without any of you.  A big big thank you for all you support, and donations, they were used to the very last penny!  Also a big thank you to the amazing guys out there who were willing to do whatever whenever, for the chats, and crazy hitchhiking moments!  On my last day, I got a sewing machine, managed to get an amazing discount, only because Caroline had bought loads with a nun (long story, Jewish girl and catholic nun, God does work in mysterious ways remember)  and sent it as a surprise to one family, so they could start working again, made sure it arrived as I was leaving.  They were so excited and surprised, apparently told the delivery man he must be mistaken, and almost sent him back, but he kept saying there was a letter inside for them, and they must read that first.  Then, as Galle is not a very big place, I was saying Goodbye to everyone, when one of the boys turned up and told me that a friend of his had seen me walking up the stairs and told him where I was, so he could say thank you and Good bye in person.    No where to hide, if you are thinking of hiding in Galle, but India....well I think you could disappear there! 

It really was sad leaving everyone behind this time, and thinking what their future holds, what the next step should be or will be.  There is talk of another civil war starting in September, I can only pray it doesn't happen. 

My next door neighbours, those of you who have met them will understand.....were very excited to see me again, and told me continuously how much they have missed my conversations while they do the garden and I chat!  I like chatting!  I was then given a pile of feminiza magazines to read, and once again invited to a dancing group to find out what women are really about....does make me wonder, my two sweet hippy neighbours.  And then somehow got roped into fostering cats that were homeless, I tried to limit it to maybe one, but will let you know on the progress of that one. 

I doubt I will be able to email back in Sa, and am sure it will be limited to reading mails only, but will try and let you know how many braais I have attended, and for those of you who don't know what braai means.....it's BR two chops and a sausage (barbies)  the chops are the a's and the sausage is the i.  ( not sure if anyone got that). Still need to pack, winter clothes, great!

Okay, am jumping about again,  take care everyone, and thank you so much again.  Lots and lots of crazy hugs and kisses.

love conny