Here I am sipping a hot cup of Dilmah tea on a gloomy afternoon. I know for sure that it will take a while before I start writing a lengthy narrative about my Sri Lanka trip. I am still simmering the wonderful memories in my mind. It's been quite a year so far; after India, I had no idea I would follow up with a trip to this beautiful, teardrop-shaped nation brimming with cultural and historical wealth, capped off by its friendly people. Other than the five kilos of tea that I brought home, I am most grateful for amassing a new perspective that finally replaced the image of the brutal civil war I used to associate with Sri Lanka.
Ayubowan Sri Lanka: A Quick Roundup
Reflections on a Solo Journey
Traveling is all about educating oneself. I learned a tremendous amount during my almost two-week solo trip here. I remember all of my senses being at a high, fueled by the burning desire to explore every nook and cranny of the ancient cities of Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Polonnaruwa. I have a lot of stories to tell the readers of this blog, but right now is not yet the right time to write about all of them. I will give it a shot to summon my creative mojo on a daily or weekly basis in order to kickstart the Sri Lanka narratives.
Warmth Along the Railway
But I don't want you to wait for that for some inspiration. If you can find a way there now, there is no better time than packing your backpack and heading there pronto. I remember my train ride to Kandy from Colombo. I arrived at the train station after lunchtime—the dead hour of the day when everyone seems down for a nap. The people at the station were outnumbered by the ravens and doves flying around.
Forty-five minutes later, when the train rolled over the tracks, hundreds of rushing bodies came out of nowhere. Their scampering thuds were enough to get me moving hard and fast. I went for the door—almost got squashed—and inside, a smiling stranger held my hand and ushered me to the window seat: "Sit there so you can look at the view." As I walked toward the seat, the people around me seemed to pause, and as I looked around, I saw nodding heads and brimming smiles.
That's Sri Lanka for me: more than its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic ancient cities, it is the people that endeared themselves to me. I felt like I was in the provinces in the Philippines, where people are easygoing, unmindful of first-world-aspiration problems, and where genuine courtesy and friendliness still prevail. The train ride to Kandy provided me with unforgettable scenery, but the gestures of my fellow passengers (as well as the numerous times I received help when I found myself lost), as weary and tired as they were, are something I will remember most.
Ayubowan, Sri Lanka.
— Marky
