LIVE FROM SRI LANKA:

So this may end up being a post-post of Pat, but, as much as I hate the practice, I figure it'll probably be another week before I make it to the internet again, so I should probably say something now. Besides, it's already the 25th here, so that should count for something.

No doubt most of you have already heard (or maybe you haven't, since most of you are in college bubbles) about the recent flare of violence in the country, beginning with a large suicide attack in the North and followed by a naval base attack in Galle, which led to some communal rioting down south. The fact that both these attacks occured in what's considered the "safe zone" is the most troubling piece of it. Right now, the country's a bit on edge and everyone's holding their breath for the peace talks in Geneva coming up this weekend.

The ramifications for the ISLE program aren't too serious. The board of directors met recently and decided not to cancel the program. The individual universities also agreed not to pull their students. In return, the ISLE program has restricted our travel to the greater Kandy area. Nobody was allowed to travel last weekend and that rule also applies to this coming weekend. After that, all that's left of the program is our independent studies, which are now being modified, since most of the people planned to go to the south for at least of portion of the project. I'll still be allowed to go to the small village of Wahakotte (where I plan to study interesting Catholic people), but sadly I won't be able to meet back up with my excellent contact in Galle. Everyone is bummed about the changes, but we agree that it's better than going home.

Some students, however, have decided to go home due to their parents' wishes. Right now, two people, one from Bates and one from Holy Cross, have confirmed that they'll be flying home after this session of classes ends on November 6th. The program is working very hard to accomodate those who wish to go home because of the recent events, and the students will get full credit. Naturally, I don't plan to pull out so soon. The only way I'm leaving is if things get bad enough for the U.S. military to take us away in helicopters, with myself dangling 100 feet in the air from a rope ladder.

Of course, the mood around the ISLE center has been a bit dazed and sullen of late, but we're trying to make the best of the situation. Last weekened I had time to hang around with my family, which was a relaxing break from constantly having large amounts of work or travel to do. This weekend we're going to try and take advantage of all the things in Kandy we haven't seen yet, like the enourmous botanical garden near the University campus. Plus, we'll also be occupied with the end of term papers and independent study proposals that we have to write. Aside from the restrictions imposed by the program, life in Kandy really hasn't changed at all. Contrary to the fiery personalities of the southern people, those in the hill country are too laid back to get worked up over the types of things that Sri Lanka has been dealing with for the past 30 years.

I hope everyone is healthy and happy back home. We're having a Halloween part at the ISLE center here. I'm going as a cricketer.

Take Care,
Alex