machan මචන'

Machan - pronounced 'much - un' - is a sinhalese word for friend, comrade, buddy or mate. Used frequently as 'mate' is in Britain, but definitely with more feeling, it transcends all sections of Sri lankan society.

When Lucky, my long-term friend and former neighbour visited recently, it's one of the first words he used. Lucky is now a director of a large travel company in Sri lanka. He gets to travel worldwide and often stays with Tilak, my brother, when he's here.

Lucky hadn't been to Bath before. We planned a very quick visit. I took a diagonal path from the bus station, showing Lucky and Tilak as many sights as possible en route. Then we went to the Roman Baths - walking through the pump rooms as I used the shop entrance. Mindful that we only had just over an hour, we approached the ticket counter.

At 10.50 gbp per adult, a visit to the Roman baths is expensive. Bath residents have a 'discovery' card that gets them in free. Showing my Bath-based employer's id card to the ticket seller, I wondered if I might get a discount. I got in for nothing! Introducing Lucky as someone 'very important in sri lankan tourism', we were completely astounded when the ticket seller stretched out his hand and said:"ah, machan....."

Turns out he'd spent many happy months in Sri Lanka, several years ago. Although he hadn't been back since, he recalled most things as if they'd happened yesterday. Lucky wasted no time in giving him a business card, sorting out a possible itinerary for his next trip and insisting he kept in contact. A holiday was possibly sold here - conversation was animated and full of laughter. Lucky got in free too!

Tilak waited patiently. He works for a large police force. Does the Met get a discount, I wondered. Apparently not, but at 10.50 gbp for 3 of us, we were hardly complaining!

We were given a superb tour by a very knowledgeable guide. We spent a long time discussing and comparing the very different histories of our countries, joking about Roman life and generally messing about. It was a good time.

One word - machan - had taken us back over 3 decades. It was like when we were teenagers in Colombo's suburbs, out having a good time in the warm sunshine. You never realise how meaningful a single word can be.......do you, machan?

:-)