Poems: Today, 4 July, is US Independence Day.
Given the ongoing geopolitical conflicts around the world and the immense destruction and terror being unleashed daily, I share this poem titled ‘No Explosions’ by award-winning poet, teacher, editor, and essayist Naomi Shihab Nye.
Her father was from Palestine and turned refugee after the creation of Israel in 1948. He came to America, where Naomi was born in Missouri in 1952.
In this short and powerful poem, she asks readers to contemplate how the same event can be experienced very differently by people with different backgrounds.
To enjoy
fireworks
you would have
to have lived
a different kind
of life
Celebrating independence is one thing – we all do it, countries and citizens alike – but when will we remember that we are not so much independent as we are interdependent and place humanity first?
The mini library in an old phone booth adds to the café’s eclectic decor
The Maara Café signature rice and curry
The Maara Café and Restaurant in Galewela
Plates: on the way back from a trip to Passikudah recently, in Galewela we chanced upon a lovely dining spot – the Maara Café and Restaurant on the Colombo-Dambulla main road.
A breezy, welcoming space overlooking fields of green, this café serves a Sri Lankan buffet spread and also has an a la carte menu. We settled for the latter as we had already had a late breakfast and weren’t up for a heavy lunch, but I would recommend trying out the buffet instead.
The lineup of clay pots filled with local curries featuring a good variety of veggies, meats, seafood, mallungs, sambols, and other accompaniments made for a spread that looked quite impressive. The restaurant also serves pizza, Indian specials, seafood, snacks, and juices.
The terrace setting makes for a lovely space in which to dine and unwind, the staff members are welcoming and friendly, and the clientele comprises a mix of local and foreign nationals, while the sanitary facilities pass muster.
Q and Dilip at The Bayleaf Piano Bar
Live DJ beats with Pradeep
Performances: I dropped in at The Bayleaf Piano Bar and Music Room with some friends last week, planning to stay just an hour. So much for that.
With some sensational soul music by Q and Dilip who took centre stage that night, just about everyone present stayed right until the end, unwinding in style while enjoying the excellent music, complemented by outstanding company, food, and drinks.
One thing’s for certain: when the Piano Bar comes alive with live music as it usually does on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays each week – featuring soloists, duos, and other entertainers – no one wants to leave this retro-style space.
Well, no one wants to leave this space on the other nights either, with Pradeep always delivering smooth vibes on the deck.
We stayed till close upon midnight that day and Q, Dilip, and Pradeep made every minute of lost sleep on a work night worth it.
Tip: apart from making your way to the Piano Bar for this fabulous duo and Pradeep, make it a point to be there when Dreaming of Saturn takes the stage too. They are nothing short of fantastic.