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.
