OH JAFFNA!!!

as the dust settles...

 Having lived in Sri Lanka for many years, I'd never been to Jaffna before. I finally made the trip, but didn't shoot as a journalist or to tell a story. I did come away with some strong impressions, though. I remember before the civil war broke out in 1983 (which lasted more than 25 years) Jaffna being targeted for greatness for many reasons. 1.1 million lived here then, today 400,000... Nearly 28,000 Tamils died fighting and possibly 40,000 civilians were killed in the last few months before the war came to a brutal halt. One in ten who live there today are disabled! Many who could, left. Hope deferred makes the heart sick...
This controversial war took a heavy toll on both sides with nothing resolved by the exercise, revealing once again that ultimately war IS terror!
It's a sorry fact but many times a people's worst enemy happens to be their own government...and don't forget, war is good for business!
Here is the town library, touted as the finest in Asia, before it was burned down in 1981...the rest is history

 Ok, enough...Here are some random pix around town and the surrounding area...

Holding out for true reconciliation and better days ahead... tbc :^) T 

IT KINDA MAKES YOU WANNA...

    RUN!!!

 Something about the great outdoors...in this case the sun, the sky, the sea and the sand that gets the juices flowing and brings the kid out to play...too late to stop now :^)

Unless you become like little children...

:^)  Tom

MICAH'S BIG ADVENTURE...

at the the Zoo in Batu...

 Shhhhh...don't tell anybody but I lost contact with my family... I have no idea where they all have gone!!!

 

But, I will find them and have no fear...I will walk in the Warriors Way! This is what I think about any obstacle to fulfilling my quest!!!

 Ok, Mr. Gorilla...Let's ride!!!
We've got some people to find... 

 They're not in here...

Nope...not in here, either...

Definitely, not in here...




Hey!!! There they are!!!

Aren't reunions sweet?

















Thanks for a great day, Micah...







Are you ready for another big adventure?

OK, Me too!
:^)

SURVIVING TSUNAMIS...

 Ten years ago today, Sri Lanka became the international poster country for the havoc wrecked on this part of the world by the infamous 'Boxing Day Tsunami' of 2004. Though other Asian countries, even Africa, recorded devastation and tragic loss of lives, Sri Lanka was truly hammered...40,000 death toll! Literally, everyone here was affected dramatically and personally...

 

Since 1980, my family has been actively involved in a poor fishing village community down the coast from the capital city of Colombo (check us out http://communityconcernsrilanka.com/) Most of the people we were working with at that time lived in makeshift shanties along the thin shoreline between the railroad tracks and the sea. On December 26, 2004 every dwelling and everything inside was unceremoniously swallowed up by the tsunami monster. Fortunately, it was 8am and nobody was sleeping. Miraculously, not a single life was lost in our area! Immediately though, we had 6,000 instant refugees without a thing in this world or a place to lay their heads that night. From that moment and for the next four years, immediate relief, rehabilitation and building projects became the priority. These are shots of some our people who have weathered the storm...

I say, God bless all who have selflessly chipped in so many ways along the way...
And, here's to the resilience and perseverance of the Sri Lankan people who seem to be able to smile through any adversity...

From the Island of Smiles  :^) Tom

SPEAKING OF MOTHERHOOD...

AND THE ESSENCE OF LIFE...

In honor of true heart connections...We go about our business, in time giving way to desires designed to perpetuate our progeny...

They call it love...
Makes the world go 'round,
Melts you down,
Can reduce you to tears...
  


And, at the end of the day Job said, I have spoken of things I did not understand...too wonderful for me to know... :^)

ONE LUCKY GUY...

Before I move on from Massimo to another blog model, I just wanted to acknowledge a special life connection, so apparent coming off a recent visit by this beautiful pair...    

It goes without saying that we all have mothers, but to be around one whose joy in life is her son...committed to loving and raising him all the way from a bouncing baby boy to becoming a solid man... It's a beautiful thing! In this regard, I can't imagine a more fortunate boy than Massimo.
So, man up fellas, better show some appreciation this time around. They certainly deserve it and are a real blessing to be thankful for...and some aren't bad in the kitchen either :^) 
Happy Thanksgiving, 
Tom