A short thesis on Jaffna traffic part II: The effect of Wet Weather

An unusual phenomenon on Australian roads is the tendency for drivers to think they are formula one drivers at the first sign of a spit of rain on the windshield. It is incredible that the more the rain, the more the speed limits seem to increase. It seems for every ml of rain, the top speed of most
Australian roads increases about 5km/hr.

The same it is refreshing to say, cannot be said for Jaffna drivers. It seems here that when it rains the road traffic chaos seems to disappear to a degree. That may be, in part, to the fact that the road itself disappears. Even under the smallest of showers long lakes appear where the road apparently was. There are no gutters or drainage of any sort other than the natural lay of the land.

What is really impressive however is the way the locals take to the road after rain or in the rain itself. Every bike rider hoists an umbrella! I really don't know why though. If any of you have experienced the joy of riding a pushbike on a wet road, it is not the rain coming down, but the spray from the tyres shooting up that produces a really unpleasant wet patch in the groinal region. No wonder the serious bike set wear tight chamois  pants.

Imagine with the minds eye if you will, what an awesome sight it was. The only thing I could liken it to was the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, umbrellas straining out in front catching the wind like the Hobart fleet, spinnaker's unfurled all the yachts sprinting for the heads.

The loan vehicle, out on a trip to the park

I also have to inform you all that I have offically taken leave of my senses. Pastor Sam had made repeated offers for us to make use of a vehicle currently sitting idle while we are here (the vehicle is a neat little Honda CRV that belongs to a relative of the school principal). Pastor Sam arrived one day at the school with the car and his driver and said he needed to go into Jaffna to visit the new primary school and I was to drive so he could see if I had the nerve to cope. Pastor Sam appeared to have great confidence in me, or quite possibly God, given the 5 minute prayer he lead the driver and myself in before we took off. We made it to the school with the car and my nerves intact. After that I was directed to go through the Jaffna city CBD. It had its good and bad points. Good was that I was told, but had trouble believing, that the traffic was very "light" that day. Bad was that the reason for the apparent, but not really obvious to me, decrease in traffic (and quite possibly cows). The president was visiting Jaffna that day. It does not do a nervous drivers' disposition much good when at every, and I do mean every, intersection, heavily armed soldiers turned to look with what I considered too much professional interest at our car passing. I apparently did OK as Pastor Sam translated a comment from his driver sitting in the back seat that he quite enjoyed the ride and would be happy for me to take him for a drive at any time.

Oh.. did I mention the cows?

We went for a drive yesterday into Jaffna to visit Rio icecream parlor. Apart from getting totally lost for a short period of time. (A bit of an exageration I suppose but I am always use to being able to find my way almost anywhere, even in new teritory. What was really unnerving was that Jacinta knew exactly where we were with reference to our small lonely planet map, I just did not believe her! I will know better next time, and it only took 15 years of marriage!!!!!!)

But please, don't anyone tell Jacinta's mum Pam we have driven here, she already have some doubts over my sanity as it is I think.

 On another a totally different note, we need to add to our list of additional inhabitants to our home. Over the last few nights we have had the company of the most amazing little fire fly.  At about the size of a large flying ant, this little creature gives out the most intense green light I have ever seen from an animal. You are in no doubt the little creature is in the room with you it is very visible. When sitting on a wall it even produces enough light to cast  a dim shadow! Our other visitor was one of the group (family, pack, herd, plague????) of local squirrels who had apparently taken up residence in the airconditioner unit in our bedroom. Jacinta noticed the otherday pieces of, apprently, insulation being flung out of the main vent from the unit into the room, accompanied by lots of scratching noises. Not knowing what to do, my caring, considerate, animal loving partner promptly turned on the airconditioner! I do not know what she intended to achieve, but the end result was a squirrel sized furry object, rocketing out of the outside of the airconditioner in a fuzzy terrified blur. As Jacinta quite firmly stated to an upset Sarah. "Cute squirrel or not, it was not going to eat MY airconditioner!!!"

Take care eveyone until next blog.