Top 30 of What We’ve Learnt so far in Sri Lanka…

1. Welcome is "areyoubowen" with your hands together and a little bow (that’s the first thing i learnt here as they said it on the plane!)

2. I have learnt how to prepare "snake gout" which is a random vegetable which looks like a snake (Rachel).

3. I’ve learnt to count to about 20 so far in singhala! Oh and 23 my age!

4. I’ve learnt that climbing palm trees is really hard! (I fell out of one and grazed all my jaw on Saturday! - Rachel)

5.  I’ve learnt that you cannot play volley ball at night as you cannot see the ball

6. I’ve learnt that you cant play volleyball in gale force winds either because the ball blows away!

7. I’ve learnt that when it rains here it RAINS and no umbrella will make the slightest difference.

8. I’ve learnt that how many people you can fit in a tuc tuc is a question of how many people you are willing to try.

9. I’ve learnt that buses have right of way over everything else and that they are also exempt from rules of the road - they can drive on whatever side at whatever speed they want, they do not slow down or swerve to avoid cows, people other vehicles or any other lesser things.

10.  I’ve learnt that in Sri Lanka everything that is done in the kitchen is done with a 12 inch long machete... that means everything, from opening coconuts to peeling carrots to buttering bread...

11. I’ve learnt to sing a Sri Lankan and a Tamil Christmas song ( badly! )

12.  I’ve learnt that not only does buffalo curd taste good with  treacle but also so does yoghurt, porridge and practically everything, in fact perhaps coconut treacle is just very good.

13. I’ve learnt that air con is the most wonderful thing in the world!

14. I’ve learnt that i am the most popular member of our team (as i have had the most post!- Rachel)

15 I’ve learnt how to catch crabs and geckos.

16. I’ve learnt that being white = being a celebrity and being a white girl = being a super celebrity!

17 I’ve learnt that if you want to make people laugh you cant go wrong with dancing!

18 I’ve learnt that the news is exciting if it incorporates drum and base

19. I’ve learnt to appreciate Bollywood films and especially Bollywood dancing

20. I’ve learnt that mispronouncing singhala can have disastrous (and hilarious) effect!

21. I’ve learnt that whatever you do, say, sing, dance shout, mime beg or plead, controlling a class of 30 Sri Lankan 3-5 year olds on your own is impossible when you can’t speak the language!

22. I’ve learnt that playing with your food is helpful when learning to eat with your hands

23. I’ve learnt to play cricket (a little bit)

24. I’ve learnt that woodapple juice (a Sri Lankan delicacy) smells like sick and looks like diarrhea (it doesn’t taste too bad, but that’s coming from me who eats anything!)

25. I’ve learnt that no. 2 toilet is the most spidery, no. 1 prefers ants no 3 has a door that doesn’t open, no 4 has the best shower but no flush... but the children’s toilets are just really really gross.... (some children like to wee on the floor, the rest like to wee on their skirts.. very few have actually managed to get near the toilet..)

26. I’ve learnt that renting a film costs 25p ( with no return date) and so by the time we leave we will be film buffs

27. I’ve learnt that things can mysteriously disappear without any sign or trace. Hmmm!

28 I’ve learnt that tea is either, sweet, sweeter, or milky and sweet.

29. I’ve learnt that the rightful colour for all walls is yellow! Also curtains, tops, children and earrings, bananas, tablecloths, washing powder, flowers and most things in this house and this country are yellow!!

30. I’ve learnt that despite the fact the phone talks to me it does not require an answer.