May 25,

Yesterday, we had breakfast of Muesli and yogurt. I redressed Jeff's foot with a waterproof dressing. Then we went out and about. It had rained a bit just before we had gone, so we should be good. We went to the store and got some water. While we were waiting for the water to be filled, we witnessed a holyday celebrating band. It was right in front of the store, and boy, was it loud. It was nice to see locals come and listen to them. We went back via a tuk-tuk and unloaded our stuff.

Jeff's foot did alright, so as soon as we cooled off, we went back out. Jeff  had found a coffee roaster called, Aga Coffee. It was in Unakuruwa, a town further east on the coast. We caught a 30 minute, 19 stop, bus ride. It cost both of us 200 Rupees ($.66, that's 66 cents) fare. We got off and were on our way there – one minute away – and there was a brief downpour, of course. Thankfully, we found a semidry place to wait out the rain under our umbrella – we don't leave home without it, these days! Then we arrived at the gate of the coffee roaster's place, it was closed and did not appear to be open. Jeff called the guy he had just spoke to around an hour before. He came within 5 minutes. I got some coffee. Wow! It was pricey – as in ten dollars!! It better be good! Coffee in hand we went to the little beach there. Nice! Not too many people out today. We left and went back to the main road to catch the bus back to Dikwella.

Back at our place, we could hear more street bands celebrating the holyday. (We heard them late last night also.) We had lunch of bacon & tomato sandwiches. Jeff laid down some. I did some stepping around the house. Then for supper, I went out. Everything was closed up! But it was not this morning!?! Is this due to the holyday? Questions?? There was one little stand open. It was selling fried stuffs. So I bought 3 egg rolls and rolled pancake that has the coconut and palm sugar filling. It all only cost 460 Rupees ($1.54)! I took it home and we also had some 'happy cow' cheese on crackers. It rained more with some more brief strong wind. Bed around 2130.

Today, I had my first cups of the Aga Coffee – so good!! I had used up the good coffee from Kandy and had to buy some local grocery store coffee. Not very good, was a step above instant coffee . I have been doctoring it with milk and sugar to make it palatable! So glad to have some much better coffee☕🍵😋!  Breakfast was our last two eggs and bacon. We had that on bread – last of this also. But it was yummy! Good start of the day!! 

Now it's time to do a load of laundry☹️. Just as it finished, our host came by to collect our trash. But this time, he had his family with him – his wife, and their daughter and son. The little girl is three and their son just had his first birthday yesterday!! Cute kids, Great looking family! I showed the girl her little balls and hair barrette I had found. She was too shy to take them, so her dad did. But I did get a smile from her and she warmed up to me a bit after that. Then they all four loaded back up on their scooter and left. Crazy to see this! But I know when I was about her age, my whole family did the same. My dad, mom, sister and I…  AMAZING, scarily so!  

So anyway, since we are now the “out” house – as in we have “run out” of stuffs – we went to the store. Leaving around lunchtime, our first we stop was lunch. We went to STS Food Center. This was where we had rotisserie chicken before. But this time we went for a stir-fried rice with sides of a BBQ chicken leg, sauteed veggies, and eggplant in a great sauce; and a biriyani with sides of a fried chicken leg, that same eggplant and sauce, and a small scoop of some dangerous green chilli spice. It was all great. Now we went to the store. As we came out of the store, we had to dodge under an awning for a bit, due to rain. We were accompanied by locals, who alighted their scooters for the same reason! When the rain stopped, everyone went back about their business!! Kind of cool – we were all on the same vibe!

Back at our place, we put things away. Jeff checked on the DHL site about my phone. It has been 'forwarded to a third party agent,' as in a delivery agent!! DHL can get paperwork to us, but not the package? What is going on?? Will I get my phone today??? It has been here in Colombo, Sri Lanka since May 11th!  This has been one of the most bizarre delivery systems!‼️ 🤞🤞

We just had a light supper of a gouda-type cheese, some 'happy cow' cheese, alternating with PB and mango chutney jam on crackers. Finished with some lemon cookies. Alas, I never heard anything about my phone, and probably won't until Monday. Tata for now!