Blogging
From Abroad

Greetings from an internet cafe in Milan! My sister and I made it safely to Italy and WVU pulled through with the connections. Last night we stayed with our friend Thilanka’s aunt and uncle who own a local Sri Lanka restaurant in the area.

Let me brag a bit about my friend Thilanka.
Thilanka (who greets himself as “Hi I am Thilanka from Sri Lanka”) and I met during our first year at WVU in Dadisman Hall and our friendship continued the following year when we were both resident assistants (RAs). Then this past Christmas break he traveled with my family out to Oklahoma on a roadtrip. (pictures on the way!)
Though out his time at WVU Thilanka has been a great rep. for the school and state. He excels in the WVU Engineering program, helps tutor students in math, and has helped numerous international students adjust to life in Morgantown. He has been a great influence on my life and it is an honor to call him my friend.

His family went above and beyond to make us feel at home. My favorite welcome gift was the MASSIVE fruit tray with pineapple, strawberries, apples, grapes, kiwi, and (get this) pomegranate. They also gave us unlimited access to the Sri Lanka food buffet. Bring on the spicy food! (ps- Morgantown we really need Cafe India back!) Then in the morning they made us Italian cappuccino and “Thilanka tea” and served us French croissants. Umm!

I especially enjoyed talking with Thilanka’s dad. He is so proud of Thilanka and his sister. You should see the way his face lights up when he talks about his children. But their accomplishments are in part due to his many sacrifices. He has not seen Thilanka in over 4 years because he has to help provide financially for the family and work overseas. “I had to do that because it was our dream for our children to go to college.” wow. I take so many things for granted.

Their loving hospitality has inspired another addition to the “must see” on the places to visit!