Going somewhere!

Hurrah, it's that time of year once again! What could be greater news for people who've been working non-stop for the past four months? Irrespective of race or religion, everyone's eagerly looking forward to the Sinhala-Hindu New Year holidays. A time to strengthen and renew family bonds and relationships, the New Year is hailed as a great leveller (maybe next only to cricket). Cleaning the house, buying presents for loved ones, visiting friends and relatives, taking part in all the 'Aluth Avurudu' festivities...it's sure to keep you occupied for the next couple of days. Even though meant to be a time to relax and enjoy, with all that we have on our hands, we couldn't help but wonder whether that would be the last thing on our mind!

What have people - be they Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, or Burghers - planned for the holidays?

The person who claims he's going to be the next James Bond, the fun-loving Jason 009 of Sun FM has major plans for the holidays, provided he'll be able to take a couple of days off from his hectic deejaying schedule. "I'm planning to go to Nuwara Eliya with a few of my friends and I'm telling you, we're gonna go completely crazy. (Count on it!) We all gonna hide and get Dr. Evo (a colleague) to catch us!" So all you Jason fans in the hill capital will be able to catch a glimpse of your idol playing hide-and-seek in the cool climes of Little England.

Nushara Fernando is also planning to go up-country for the holidays. "Or else I'll be staying at home quietly enjoying it with my hubby." What does New Year mean to her? "A start, a new beginning, a time to make resolutions (which you should stick to, of course), and, basically, a time to have a positive outlook in life whatever the odds may be."

Assistant PR Manager of Trans Asia Hotel, Shalini Perera, on the other hand, is hoping to go down south and if that doesn't work out she'll have a nice, quiet time at home with her loved ones.

Duminda Fernando, fondly referred to as "Dumi" in the music circle, is looking forward to visiting his relations and feasting on Aluth Avurudu sweets, 'kevum' being his favourite.

He doesn't believe in going out during the holidays as New Year is essentially a time for family get-togethers. "Even though we don't follow the customs to the letter, my mother prepares kiribath. Whether this is done at the right time facing the right direction, I wouldn't know, because by the time I get up everything's over! I do enjoy gorging on lots and lots of sweets." (And struggling for the next couple of weeks to lose the extra pounds!)

To Sri Lanka's cricketing hero Sanath Jayasuriya, one person who's always on the move, New Year is the perfect excuse to stay at home. Hailing from a conservative Sinhala Buddhist family and being a firm believer in customs and traditions, Sanath would love nothing more than spending the holidays with his family.

"On New Year's day I make it a point to go to the temple early in the morning. We boil milk and prepare kiribath, or rather my mother does it. Everything's done according to tradition, except, of course, for bathing for the old year or the new year, as we do that every day after practices. I do visit my relations as and when I manage to find the time."

Unity in diversity comes alive during the New Year with plates full of kevum, kokis, athirasa, and loads and loads of goodies being shared with those who're not celebrating it. And that's exactly what appeals to Natasha Fernando about this festive season, being one of those who loves traditional Sri Lankan sweets. "We (the band Dreamteam) are planning to go to Bandarawela for the holidays but it's not confirmed yet. If that doesn't come through as planned, I'll probably end up watching TV!"

For Andre Estefan, the extremely chatty and talented young designer, who has his mind set on going to Trincomalee with a couple of friends, New Year holidays will start on the 11th. "It would strictly be the beach. Swimming, diving, fishing, baking in the sun...(you name it!). It's lovely, the yet unspoilt, untouched beauty of the Trinco beach." Perfect way to cool off, eh?

There you had a peek into how some Sri Lankans would be spending their time during this festive season. It may or may not be your ideal New Year holiday, but whatever you decide on, just remember it's not what we do but how we do it that really matters.

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