Beer or Arrack?
I suppose a lot of Sri Lankans prefer arrack and other stronger spirits to beer because it's a much cheaper way to go--and more convenient. And perhaps it even tastes better.
I prefer beer. It's refreshing when its cool, I can sip or gulp it as the spirit moves me and best of all I'm much less likely to feel tired or hungover the next day.
But to follow this mantra in Sri Lanka can be hard going. For starters one has to lug heavy bottles to and from the neighborhood liquor shop in order to avoid paying a nearly 30% surcharge as bottle deposit. Even without the deposit a single 633 ml bottle of Lion Lager sells for one US dollar. Compare that to a single bottle of arrack for about five dollars--nothing heavy to lug, no deposits to bother with and enough to satisfy a nightcap with a few friends.
It's no wonder Sri Lankans prefer to drink arrack and other strong stuff.
A lubricant for friendship. >>
As for taste, of course, each spirit has its own--some rather smooth, others course and with a variety of flavors. But I suppose as long as what one has is of reasonably good quality, taste is largely a matter of acclimatization.
The point of course is not so much the taste but the affect. Whatever the drink the objective is to grease the social wheels, so to speak. You're likely to be more relaxed and have more fun with friends or strangers over a few drinks.
From Night Cap to Party
It had all started innocently enough. I invited one new friend to have a drink with me in my room.
<< My friends in the hotel.
As a lone traveller the company would be great and the new friend was someone I had already come to know on a previous trip.
He was in fact the night receptionist, and finishing his duty he switched the main line to my room to take any late calls.
He was great company--with drink, music and even dancing it was a lot of fun. Why not go for a repeat the next night, and so we did. This time we were joined by another familiar friend. Again, so much fun we decided we'd have a third get together, this time a real party, at the home of the night receptionist in a village some 90 kilometers away.
Say Cheese...
<< Bruce (moi), Silva & Prasanna
Oops! What's a party without a camera?
We had all come together to Ambalangoda, some from Colombo and others from Hikkaduwa and other nearby towns.
I had forgotten to bring my trusty Nikon camera with which to document the special occasion. But I did not forgot my laptop with iTunes and my repertoire of a 2000 odd--very odd--mixture of songs.
Senuka (baby), Lasantha, Samitha & Damith >>
That, along with six friends and a bottle of Johnny Walker red, bottles of beer (for me) and later other spirits when that ran out,
was enough for a great bash.
The built-in webcam on the laptop would have to do for photos. So we got together in groups of three to take our photobooth style snaps.
We were already geared up for a good time when the music started. iTunes is an incredible pseudo-party DJ with an endless selection of tunes, graphic effects and either random shuffle or music on demand.
<< Malith, Bruce & Krishan (party host)
When my friends wanted R&B iTunes was there, and when they wanted Michael Jackson exclusively, iTunes was ready for that too.
But we finally ended up doing the Sinhalese thing--singing a capella to hand drums.
We had a good ole time, all the more with Silva singing beautifully, Samitha getting hands down on the drums, Prasanna dancing in salacious style and Krishan being the ever lively host. (Krishan's mum, not pictured, certainly had a big clean-up job on her hands the next day.)
Thank you so much, Krishan!
Beer, Arrack or Tee-totaling?
For some it's no beer, no arrack, no nothing!
I understand the sentiment. Nihal, a real good guy and a great reveler, was the life of our little party.
<< Beer & nuts, a perfect pair.
There was also a second-floor balcony and, I dare say, Nihal and that balcony were not a good mix. No party is worth any such risk.
Like drinking and driving, some things just don't go together. Even in a quiet little house party care needs to be taken that things don't go awry.
But I'm not for tee-totaling. That is a sentiment held by my Muslim friends in the UAE. Those who are purists, and have been so all their lives, perhaps don't understand the function of alcohol beyond its ill effects. One friend told me of his friends who drank once, I presume all novices. The result some hours later was a room full guys in deep slumber, having all urinated and defecated in their beds. Yikes--case proven for him... the devil's brew.
That, however, is not drinking. That is ignorance. There is such a thing as responsible drinking. As for alcoholism, it is a serious problem, but a problem with its own issues that involve a lot more than indulging in drinks with friends on social occasions.
My conclusion is you've got to have a way for people to relax, de-stress and socialize at ease. Quite simply, drinking is a means to an end--that being to have a good time. And there ain't nothin' wrong with that!
Keeping a Few Things in Mind
But if I'm going to argue for having a good time, I've got to also make a case for being responsible. Nihal (God bless him)... the balcony... that got me thinking. There are a few things that party people should keep in mind:
...that's it.
Just be a bit responsible while you go ahead and meet friends, drink, play music, dance and enjoy!
<< New Tamil friends... some have their beer, others take a pass.
Sri Lanka on My Mind...
Back in the UAE I couldn't really count the frequency of parties I enjoyed over the past year. The number was somewhere, let me see... less than one!
In Sri Lanka in the span of 11 days I enjoyed 3 parties and at least 3 other get-togethers with friends. What an effect Sri Lanka has on me.
In Dubai and the rest of the UAE people do party--no doubt about that. But it depends on one's circumstances. My partner of seven years is only interested in a party of two. My wonderful Bangladeshi friends are all too aware of the ill effects of alcohol and nothing more.
I've enjoyed celebratory meals with these friends during Eid and other occasions. As nice as a company of friends sharing a meal together on the floor is, it isn't anything like a party where you can really let your hair down and get to know the people you are with. That is such a different experience which, when taken in moderation, is a great elixir for life.
All photos appearing in this SLM post are original SLM blogsite images. I place no restrictions on the use of these images but only ask a courtesy link or reference to the Sri Lankan Male blogsite when posting or publishing the images elsewhere.
Postscript:
50 Words (the Author's Aside)
It's Eid again in the UAE.
This is my 20th and I can't say it means very much to me. I sat on the floor and ate with my Bangladeshi friends the last Eid. That was nice as it goes, and I love those guys but hey,
Where's the party!
50 words, No. 007 (←/→)
 Good times with good friends. |
I prefer beer. It's refreshing when its cool, I can sip or gulp it as the spirit moves me and best of all I'm much less likely to feel tired or hungover the next day.
But to follow this mantra in Sri Lanka can be hard going. For starters one has to lug heavy bottles to and from the neighborhood liquor shop in order to avoid paying a nearly 30% surcharge as bottle deposit. Even without the deposit a single 633 ml bottle of Lion Lager sells for one US dollar. Compare that to a single bottle of arrack for about five dollars--nothing heavy to lug, no deposits to bother with and enough to satisfy a nightcap with a few friends.
It's no wonder Sri Lankans prefer to drink arrack and other strong stuff. A lubricant for friendship. >>
As for taste, of course, each spirit has its own--some rather smooth, others course and with a variety of flavors. But I suppose as long as what one has is of reasonably good quality, taste is largely a matter of acclimatization.
The point of course is not so much the taste but the affect. Whatever the drink the objective is to grease the social wheels, so to speak. You're likely to be more relaxed and have more fun with friends or strangers over a few drinks.
From Night Cap to Party
It had all started innocently enough. I invited one new friend to have a drink with me in my room.
<< My friends in the hotel.
As a lone traveller the company would be great and the new friend was someone I had already come to know on a previous trip.
He was in fact the night receptionist, and finishing his duty he switched the main line to my room to take any late calls.
He was great company--with drink, music and even dancing it was a lot of fun. Why not go for a repeat the next night, and so we did. This time we were joined by another familiar friend. Again, so much fun we decided we'd have a third get together, this time a real party, at the home of the night receptionist in a village some 90 kilometers away.
Say Cheese...
<< Bruce (moi), Silva & Prasanna
Oops! What's a party without a camera?
We had all come together to Ambalangoda, some from Colombo and others from Hikkaduwa and other nearby towns.
I had forgotten to bring my trusty Nikon camera with which to document the special occasion. But I did not forgot my laptop with iTunes and my repertoire of a 2000 odd--very odd--mixture of songs.
Senuka (baby), Lasantha, Samitha & Damith >>
That, along with six friends and a bottle of Johnny Walker red, bottles of beer (for me) and later other spirits when that ran out,
was enough for a great bash.
The built-in webcam on the laptop would have to do for photos. So we got together in groups of three to take our photobooth style snaps.
We were already geared up for a good time when the music started. iTunes is an incredible pseudo-party DJ with an endless selection of tunes, graphic effects and either random shuffle or music on demand.
<< Malith, Bruce & Krishan (party host)
When my friends wanted R&B iTunes was there, and when they wanted Michael Jackson exclusively, iTunes was ready for that too.
But we finally ended up doing the Sinhalese thing--singing a capella to hand drums.
We had a good ole time, all the more with Silva singing beautifully, Samitha getting hands down on the drums, Prasanna dancing in salacious style and Krishan being the ever lively host. (Krishan's mum, not pictured, certainly had a big clean-up job on her hands the next day.)
Beer, Arrack or Tee-totaling?
For some it's no beer, no arrack, no nothing!I understand the sentiment. Nihal, a real good guy and a great reveler, was the life of our little party.
<< Beer & nuts, a perfect pair.
There was also a second-floor balcony and, I dare say, Nihal and that balcony were not a good mix. No party is worth any such risk.
Like drinking and driving, some things just don't go together. Even in a quiet little house party care needs to be taken that things don't go awry.
But I'm not for tee-totaling. That is a sentiment held by my Muslim friends in the UAE. Those who are purists, and have been so all their lives, perhaps don't understand the function of alcohol beyond its ill effects. One friend told me of his friends who drank once, I presume all novices. The result some hours later was a room full guys in deep slumber, having all urinated and defecated in their beds. Yikes--case proven for him... the devil's brew.
That, however, is not drinking. That is ignorance. There is such a thing as responsible drinking. As for alcoholism, it is a serious problem, but a problem with its own issues that involve a lot more than indulging in drinks with friends on social occasions.
 Getting into the spirit of the party. |
My conclusion is you've got to have a way for people to relax, de-stress and socialize at ease. Quite simply, drinking is a means to an end--that being to have a good time. And there ain't nothin' wrong with that!
Keeping a Few Things in Mind
But if I'm going to argue for having a good time, I've got to also make a case for being responsible. Nihal (God bless him)... the balcony... that got me thinking. There are a few things that party people should keep in mind:
- Safety--be aware of potential accidents: falls, things breaking, use of sharp items. Good to have the person who drinks the least to take care of such things.
- Consideration--don't make more noise or more mess than you need to. Any mess can be cleaned up afterwards, and spills will happen, but it is good to stay somewhat mindful of that.
- Looking after others--take care of anyone who has a tendency to drink too much. Don't let them pour for themselves and be aware of their movements. Just look after your friends. (And never let them drive.)
...that's it. Just be a bit responsible while you go ahead and meet friends, drink, play music, dance and enjoy!
<< New Tamil friends... some have their beer, others take a pass.
Sri Lanka on My Mind...
Back in the UAE I couldn't really count the frequency of parties I enjoyed over the past year. The number was somewhere, let me see... less than one!
In Sri Lanka in the span of 11 days I enjoyed 3 parties and at least 3 other get-togethers with friends. What an effect Sri Lanka has on me.
In Dubai and the rest of the UAE people do party--no doubt about that. But it depends on one's circumstances. My partner of seven years is only interested in a party of two. My wonderful Bangladeshi friends are all too aware of the ill effects of alcohol and nothing more.
I've enjoyed celebratory meals with these friends during Eid and other occasions. As nice as a company of friends sharing a meal together on the floor is, it isn't anything like a party where you can really let your hair down and get to know the people you are with. That is such a different experience which, when taken in moderation, is a great elixir for life.
 Just being ourselves: having more and more fun as the party wears on. |
All photos appearing in this SLM post are original SLM blogsite images. I place no restrictions on the use of these images but only ask a courtesy link or reference to the Sri Lankan Male blogsite when posting or publishing the images elsewhere.
Postscript:
It's Eid again in the UAE. This is my 20th and I can't say it means very much to me. I sat on the floor and ate with my Bangladeshi friends the last Eid. That was nice as it goes, and I love those guys but hey,
Where's the party!
50 words, No. 007 (←/→)
Labels: commentary, friendship, party, travel
| If prompted, become a follower--then REFRESH and vote. |  |
posted by B.D. at 6:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Something you liked or didn't like in this post? A favorite image? A complaint...?
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Sri Lankan Male Home