better late than never. 30oct05.

Better Late Than Never

This Web journal has been admitttedly slow to create. Internet access, is, well, behind the times here in Madiha. We think we've ironed out the wrinkles, however, so please check back often for updates about our scuba activities.

The journal will comprise submissions from a number of members of the scuba training team in Sri Lanka as well as in others areas of the world. We're connected now and the program is building momentum.

For more information about what we're doing, visit paavima.org. We're hoping you join us, at least virtually, and participate, either through comments or even getting directly involved.

Our first post comes from Francesca Koe, one of the team leaders of this ambitious project. You will hear a lot from her as the project evolves.

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I can't believe it has been more than two weeks since I arrived here in Madiha/Polhena and that I am only just now getting a chance to write an entry to update everyone of our adventures and challenges here on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It has been a whirlwind to say the least.

After arriving in Colombo Airport I was met by a friendly, albeit, strange face - Jason Firmin. I say strange because although Jason and I have been working tirelessly together for the better part of a year, we had not met each other in person until October 17th. I landed safely after a brutally long trip from Heathrow – I left on a Monday and arrived on a Wednesday and lost two days somewhere in-between London and the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, one of my bags decided to linger somewhere in that void and was not present for its' Sri Lankan retrieval.

I kept the faith; even though secretly I was frantic because it was the one bag that held the majority of donated equipment for the students. The weeks leading up to the trip were equally as frantic as I was desperately trying to ensure that all of my fellow volunteer PADI instructors (Tom Yang, Christopher Chin, Brandon Bond and Vlad) each would have a confirmed airline ticket to a destination half a globe away.

In these dire situations good friends will always come through in a pinch – thanks to the tremendous generosity of people like Barbara & Eric Hippeau, Kirk McDonald, Scott Murphy and Laura Froelich we were able to transport the scuba gear and the instructors - phew!

So when my big yellow North Face bag didn't show up I remained calm. The good news was that my other two bags actually did. And in the end the yellow bag and its invaluable contents made an appearance 3 days later.

This is typical of life here in Sri Lanka - time has a funny way of operating on it's own agenda - regardless of what your plans are you are destined to take what you get. In other words flexibility is key and you can't fight it; the intangible yet consistent variable of nature ( or some other power) having its way with you is similar to mythical greek gods using humans as pawns in a game of chess.

So time is doing it again, Sean Kelly, our media partner has to leave and take his flash drive with him - so this will be it from me for now.

What you all should know is that the students and villagers are bright, very appreciative and the steps necessary to ensure a healthy future for the village and re-energized reef are well underway.

Stay tuned and keep breathing.
Francesca

October 30, 2005