Story Location: Sri Lanka
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Skyping Home: Two World Collide
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When I walk through the gates of my host family’s home, I already feel comfortable and at ease. My ammaa Puja and I can sit and talk for hours; she tells me stories of her youth, her university days in Paris and the drama of her different boyfriends, how she knew she should marry my…
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The Guessing Game: Racial Identity Abroad
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Just the other day, as I was walking down a main street in the center of Kandy, a shop keeper called out to me, “Hey Japanese!” When I was walking back to my host family’s home that same day, a security guard at an intersection near the home came up to me and asked if…
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Where Are You From? Understanding Microaggressions Abroad
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“Oyaage rata mokakda?” (What is your country / where are you from?) “Aemerikaawa,” we respond. “Ah…” Several moments pass and the kind stranger smiles at me. “Oyaage rata mokakda?” “Aemerikaawa,” I reiterate, “Namut mage pawula Japanwala.” (But my family is from Japan.) A conversation here often starts in this manner and continues with, “Ah, what a beautiful country,”…
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A Very Special Poya Day
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October 15th in Sri Lanka was more than just another Saturday: for me and my family it was Poya Day, it was my amma’s birthday, and it was a day full of bonding and fun! (Just for reference, “amma” means mom, “akka” means older sister, and “tatta” means dad in Sinhala – these are my…
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