MY Christmas IN Ceylon-Sri Lanka – BY ADRIAN HARRIS
The weather would feel cooler sometimes swarms of Christmas flies would fill the air in the evening
It was a lovely feeling of Joy and expectancy We would whitewash /colourwash (samara) the walls broad band of black tar along the bottom, new voille curtains , table cloth,
Find broken glass to scrape the old furniture, to varnish it , (darkaline) and if the old Teak dining table with Satin wood surround we would ‘ French Polish’ Carols blaring from Radio Ceylon on the old Redifusion, from 1st December
We lived Station rd mt Lavinia so cake was baked at Janszs bakery down the road in front of Watumulla rd, his shop was on Galle rd Christmas shopping , lunch at the Nanking , Pillawoos or Buharis
Christmas tree often fit branches tied together Decorated on Christmas Eve and after we had gone to bed early mum and dad would set out what presents they could afford as we were a big family and wake us at night saying Santa had been and he knocked over one of the flower pots on the verandah , in his rush to without been seen Bless them they built our memories
Groups of burgher boys my uncles were part of it used to go Carol Singing on Christmas , looking forward to sometimes few rupees but often a ‘ shot’ of the old Pol
🤣,,
Then the sukkily band used to come round on nights after Christmas doing rounds and getting the usual Arro
Christmas breakfast was Perera and sons Dutch breudher or one from Jansz bakery, Anchor Butter , Edam Cheese ,and Arnsmalu or kolikuttu plantains Yellow ghee rice and Kokkaba curry etc etc
Christmas cake was for visitors who came cake hunting , which we did as well after Christma ‘ compliments of the season ‘
Visiting friends and long lost relatives , sitting on chairs prim and proper waiting for the cake to come round , some times sandwiches followed by Orange Barley or Lanka Lime… Vimto
…wow!!👍
Hope I haven’t bored
I could pen volumes
I’m sure we all have our different memories
But
One common thread Simple innocent and beautiful Could never be replaced
Www and digital age??? Could not compare
