Colombo

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

The weekend is coming and the question is the same as always: what shall we do? Got an idea for a day trip, a concert or simply a lovely afternoon in Colombo? Drop your tips in the comments!

A good walk clears the head and shows your home from a new angle. Which route do you love most in Colombo, and roughly how long does it take? Share your favourite loop with us!

Lots of things in town only work because people give their time for free. Where do you volunteer in Colombo, and where could more helping hands be useful? Tell us about it and inspire others to join in!

=== Holy places === 1 Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Lankamatha Road, Ragama suburb of Colombo (from Ragama Railway Station 2 km NE or bus to stop 'National Basilika Ave'). A Roman Catholic church with basilica status.…

Traveller Ibn Battuta, who visited the island in the 14th century, referred to it as Kalanpu. Arabs, whose primary interests were trade, began to settle in Colombo around the eighth century AD mostly because the port he…

Colombo ( kə-LUM-boh; Sinhala: කොළඹ, romanised: Koḷam̆ba, IPA: [ˈkoləᵐbə]; Tamil: கொழும்பு, romanised: Koḻumpu, IPA: [koɻumbɯ]) is Sri Lanka's executive and judicial capital, as well as the country's most populous city. I…

Fresh vegetables, farm cheese or honey from nearby just taste better when you know where they come from. Where do you like to buy local produce in Saint George Parish, Dominica, at the weekly market or straight from the…

Your first own money disappears fast if you're not careful. A simple trick: write down everything you spend for one month, and you'll see where it goes. Put a small amount aside at the start of each month before buying …

Where do you actually meet up when you don't want to stay at home all the time? Youth centre, skate park, library or the meadow by the river: every place has its spots. Which hangouts in Saint George Parish, Dominica ca…

Almost every neighbourhood is home to people with many different first languages. In a language exchange two people learn from each other: half an hour in one language, half an hour in the other. Real friendships often …

Not every kind of help needs tools or a car. Sometimes a walk, a phone call or a coffee together is exactly what someone is missing, especially people who live alone. Would you like to give some time for a chat in Saint…

Almost every region has a dish you won't find anywhere else, or a recipe handed down through the generations. What food simply belongs to Saint Luke Parish, Dominica? Tell us your favourites and where to try them!

Not every day is sunny, and with kids you need good ideas when it pours. Where do you go in Saint Luke Parish, Dominica when it's wet outside: the library, the swimming pool, a board-game café, or puddle jumping after a…

Every place can become a little nicer to live in, and locals often have the best ideas. What would you improve in Saint Luke Parish, Dominica: more benches, better cycle paths, a meeting place for young and old? Share y…

A driving licence is a big step towards independence for many, but it takes time and money. Compare offers beforehand, study the theory regularly in small chunks and stay relaxed during lessons. Bikes and public transpo…

Whether it's a part-time job in a café, delivering leaflets or tutoring: your first job brings not just money but confidence too. Make sure you get a written contract and that your hours fit around school or college. Wh…