A Beachhouse touched by a Natural Disaster, you can feel that when you stay at Santana
- Jay Ahya, Guest, India
Santana Guest House: “You Belong Here” I have lived a very interesting, colorful life so far. i hope I survive. The last blow was the morning of December 26th, 2004. I have been standing and proudly providing shelter for all who are within me. I have not only protected from natural disasters but also woman created wars and hatred. To me, life doesn't happen anywhere but within a home. Home is where realize happens — tears, laughter, love making, babies taking their first steps, sick and elder taking their last breath, weddings, breakups.. isn’t that a real life after all? Life filled with imperfection...
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Overtime I have a guest I try to involve all their five senses with the sounds pots and pans being used for preparing meals or music, smells of Sri Lankan delights or just an incense, sights of art work, photos and colors, soft touch of the curtains and bedsheets and taste of all the wonderful dishes and drinks as they sit outside to enjoy meals. If I could speak to them, I would tell them many stories to entertain them, may be even sing songs to heal their pain or help them fall a sleep. All I want is to provide that safe space where they feel free, secure, loved and accepted. After all isn’t that the every human’s dream? Come and enjoy your stay within me. Come as strangers and you may leave as friends. No matter where you are, you have imprinted your memory within me. I, Santana Guest House appreciate that. Thank you.
About Mr. Chula:
It was another beautiful morning of December 26th, 2004. There was a strange aroma in the air as I stepped out as I usually do every morning. time was around 5. I took a deep breath of that strange yet sweet early morning aromas and went inside to get started with my day. Who knew that just few hours later thousands of people would die and millions will be displaced from their homes. Around 9 am that morning I heard shouting from my neighbor who was just in his sarang running and telling everyone to move to the church. First I thought he was joking but when I noticed his fear occupied face, i knew the fear was real. I told my wife and son to go to the church as that was the highest place near by. I ran and saw land where I am used to seeing water.. there was no water. and as I am staring at it and trying to make sense out of where did the sea disappear, I saw coffee color of something which looked like a huge wave coming towards me. My heart sunk with fear and I ran towards the church. On the way there was a grandmother and a grand daughter rushing to get to the church and three of made it to the church. Minutes later, everyone’s life changed forever. I whispered to myself,” I thought the sea was our friend ..but today it was more fierce than ever. Perhaps the sea was not our friend...” I felt pang of anger towards the sea but mostly sadness at the tremendous loss we all were experiencing. I know it seems heartless to talk about the loss of my guesthouse when others lost many loved ones.
But my guesthouse was my family’s life line, and now I don’t even know where and hose to begin rebuilding that broken life. The suffering and pain was real all around us. We all were in the same situation - taking one day at a time. Tsunami took a part of me with it but it will never defeat me. I am a very strong and full of will power. I have had an opportunity to host many international and local guests. I have a deep craving to live life to it’s fullest no matter what is going on and I want my guests to experience that by visiting Santana Guest House. My guest house is being designed, remodeled by the courtesy of the RTX founder Jay Tirth and his team. I have been fortunate enough to have met Jay a while back and after hearing my story, he proposed to start fixing the guest house. I first didn't believe or perhaps fully comprehend what he was saying but upon seeing his plan, I had to ask him,” What
do you want from me?” there had to be a catch. The answer simply was “nothing.”
That night I didn't sleep but not because of the worries but because I couldn’t believe that the sea had sent an angel to help me re build again. Sea is my friend.
