Dec. 31 - Happy New Year

At this point in the trip, I don’t know what day it is, much less realize that it’s New Year’s Eve. After breakfast, we go shopping at Odel. I buy some T-shirts and tchotchkes for people in the office.

After shopping, I need to take a tuk-tuk back to the hotel by myself. Fortunately I know how much the ride should cost, because the driver initially asks for 4x that amount. Annoying. After a lot of arguing, he finally agrees to a reasonable price. Drivers in Colombo are proving to be more greedy than the folks at the beach, especially when dealing with white tourists.

We have what is supposed to be the final fitting for the bridesmaids’ saris. Slight catastrophe: the tailor made 5 of the 6 girls’ tops too tight (mine included), and they will need further alterations. Shani’s mom is not pleased.

The largest New Year’s Eve party in Colombo is on the lawn of our hotel. Because the hotel has bungled so many of our group’s reservations, they give us a room overlooking the lawn for a pre-party. We go to the actual party after 11 pm.

Before the craziness.