Corona diaries

5^th April 2020 – day 14 of curfew in Sri Lanka 

An infrequent hum of a motor car or a bike along the usually busy Galle road tries to surpass the chatter of a squirrel calling its mate. These days, the noises in my city life are unusual but soothing. Although it reminds me constantly of the gloom that is descending further upon us each day, it brings an awareness of life that has come to thrive in these turbulent times. May be I have more time, maybe I am looking for things that I didn’t look for before, or maybe it really is that nature is assuming its rightful place again. whichever the reason, the sky is of a clear deeper blue. The rain falls with more vigor and the drops look more crystal clear. The polkichchas and mynahs chatter louder and hustle among ripening mangos with a cheer that is contagious. The cherry tree has exploded with white fragrant blossoms unlike any other season, and the bees are in a frenzy collecting the sweet nectar before the flowers whither away in a couple of days. All these creatures oblivious to the predicament of humans who are imprisoned in their own cells... or maybe they do know, and hence all this celebration !

We had three vendors down our lane today. Their voices heard louder in the silent neighbourhood, selling eggs, kos (jackfruit) and fish. These everyday items have become sought after luxuries since we have been confined to our boundaries for two weeks now. Once regarded as sort of a pest (shouting all the way down and up the lane, waking the inhabitants out of their weekend slumber), we would almost embrace these sellers now if covid was not contagious by physical contact. It is surprising how things that went past us as not worthy of a second thought have suddenly become precious. People seem kinder to neighbours and to those who are less fortunate financially, they smile more with each other and take quite an interest in planting a vegetable seed that made its way to the bin before. Life has become more uncertain, resources have become scanty but people have become more generous.

Although we knew it already, it is only now I really do appreciate how superfluous we were, in our lifestyles. Those cant-live-without stuff that we swore by has got easily replaced by home-made/ local ingredients. The sense that we will have to make do with what we got is a big eye opener and finally I can really appreciate the taste of the masan fruit that used to fall and rot away each April until now... 

I guess, even when some things are really out of your control, you are still permitted to count your blessings and cherish little gifts of life !