Riding in Monsoon Rain or Sexual Harassment or Getting Lost – take your pick

On Sunday, I suggested we (VSO in Jaffna) all go for a bike ride, get some exercise and explore our surroundings. Despite a resounding yes from everyone, the weather didn't cooperate. Monsoon rains poured all morning. Finally, about 2pm, in exasperation, I texted everyone and said, "We are going, rain or not." Besides, who else gets to ride in a monsoon and then meet for ice cream after?

 

So, we stopped by Mary's and hollered through her gate, "Mary, come out and play with us." However, Mary didn't yet have a bicycle; so instead, she brewed steaming mugs of Jaffna Spice Coffee as we dripped water onto her shiny tiled floor. Gerd borrowed a bike from his security guard, and upon discovering it had no brakes, he had to drag his feet in order to prevent wiping out pedestrians. But finally, our trio clad in rain gear, headed off out onto the causeway that links Jaffna proper to a series of islands. We cycled through deep puddles, splashed mud, tried to avoid water filled ruts, dodged buses and waved at folks we passed.

About ten minutes into our very bumpy, muddy ride, I punctured my rear tire... again (3^rd time since we arrived in Jaffna). So, not wanting to spoil the fun, I shooshed Bill and Gerd to go on a way further and I suggested that I walk my bike back to town and meet them at the ice-cream parlour ... on Stanley Road. It turned out to be quite a day.

On the causeway, there is an army/navy bunker manned by rifle toting soldiers. As I pushed my disabled bicycle along, I noticed a soldier in a blue shirt and pants jingling his keys in his right pocket. However, there was a suspicious and certain rhythm to this key jingling. As I approached, he was jingling, hard. He made no attempt to conceal his actions and in fact, as I approached and was passing him, he began to moan like a porn star and deliberately looked me in the eye.

Now, I can get a bit mouthy sometimes, but on this occasion, I had a flash of insight. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to get mouthy to a rifle toting and masturbating soldier. So quite sensibly, I prissily pushed my little bicycle past the masturbation machine, carrying on my way. I was a tad shaken up, disgusted, but not fearful.

Then, as I pushed the bike along the road behind the 16^th Century fort built by the Portuguese and largely destroyed by the Tamil Tigers, I see a man urinating at the road side. He also spies me, continuing his business, then, slowly folding it back into his pants, he calls out to me. "Madame, where are you going?" Again, good sense prevailed and I trundled along pushing the bike, noticing nothing, hearing nothing.

Finally, I was back in Jaffna town and began looking for Rio's Ice-cream parlour on Stanley Rd. It likely took me about half an hour to find Stanley Rd, which is a very long, industrial section. I pushed my bike to one end of Stanley. No - parlour. I asked for directions. Nobody seemed to understand me. I pushed my bike to the other end of Stanley. No ice-cream parlour. I asked for directions. Nobody knew what I was saying.

Now, I must confess something. But first, remember, Bill and I had left home together. He had the knapsack. I hadn't a rupee to my name. I had no phone. I had no water. I didn't know Bill's cell phone number as it was programmed into my cell phone and therefore, had never bothered to memorize it. I carried no identification.

I walked in circles and as the day gathered to a close, I decided I best just go home. I knew Bill would be very worried and out looking for me by now, as I had long missed the mango ice-cream opportunity. I finally arrived home at dusk. Bill's bicycle was in the yard, but he had switched to a faster steed by taking the motorbike to look for me. I didn't have a key to the house and by this time, my bare legs were serving as a veritable feast to Dengue and Malaria carrying mosquitoes. But, as luck would have it, Marcia, who lives upstairs and had been in Colombo for the weekend, was back. She let me in. Bill came home. All was well.

It was a good lesson. Here is the plan from now on. I carry my own knapsack. I pack my phone. I carry money. I have a house key with me. I carry identification. Rio's ice-cream parlour is off Stanley Road by the temple. Bill's number is 0775251866.