POSITIVE VIBES

It was heartening to hear that people were taking positive steps to move on with their lives. In fact, most seemed to be taking advantage of the big discounts offered by Hotels. As a result, some hotels were sold out for the Vesak weekend. When they are highly priced and luring foreigners the rates at such hotels are not affordable to locals.

Trixie was delighted to go on a jaunt. She believed the Hotel owners should be more than happy to welcome the locals since it was they who always come to the rescue. Trixie, frank as always, said that some hotels were not even worthy of their normal prices and hoped that the discounted rates offered to the locals would be the norm and not to just fill in the gap till the world traveller returns. Trixie also noted that employees at hotels say that locals are very generous with their tipping when compared to the international traveller and were very happy to greet and meet the guests on arrival since they rely heavily on the service charge and tips because the potty monthly salary they receive does not see them through the month.

Colombo too seems to have come back to life and people are spotted dining and wining at all the establishments. I have been told by many that one of the best security arrangements is the prohibition of parking cars two to three lanes outside schools at closing time. By not allowing such parking traffic moves faster and is a great relief to those who get about in their cars on their daily chores.

We all took a heavy blow from the Easter Sunday event. The public are now more demanding from the government. The tooting of vehicle horns when inconvenienced on the roads is such a bright idea, for instance. Trixie, who was subjected to a road blockade recently, was very happy to press on her car horn and let off a lot of her steam. She likened it to a quick visit to the psychiatrist for some temporary relief and because it was at no cost she felt, it was an added benefit.