What has happened to Y.M.C.A; or Y.M.B.A; or Y.M.M.A?

What has happened to Y.M.C.A; or Y.M.B.A; or Y.M.M.A?

I was never a member of these associations.

I did want to be controlled by any organization as a youth.

Having said that, they served a purpose, in good old days.

I was privileged to occupy my father’s time, rest rooms for elderly men in retirement but soon they were no more due to financial difficulties.

The amount (with only breakfast) they charged at that time was not enough as a viable business preposition.

They wound up, eventually.

I used to stay in Y.M.B.A; for a nominal (advance booking was difficult for non members) fee after rest homes in Colombo were no longer available.

The lunch they provided was pretty good but no dinner.

Not a problem with Sea Food Restaurant or Elephant House Restaurant at Union Place with beer and a buddy and late night film show were memorable (no more).

Now I rarely come to Colombo (mostly funeral but a few weddings) and there is no place to stay without inconveniencing my friends or relatives.

They all have one or few dogs and I find difficult to accommodate myself, being a dog lover, with somebody else’s dog/s.

They live in constant fear of petty thieves.

That is progress in this blessed land.