Following a year of Southeast Asian travel, Sri Lanka
provided a drastic change and a trip full of the unexpected. The climate varied
between much hotter and much colder than Thailand, with little in between.
While we were expecting food similar to that of southern India, we received
many uniquely Lankan culinary experiences. And, all of the coconuts were
orange.
Everywhere we went, we were apparently an equally unexpected
sight. Dhoti-clad, shirtless men and saree’d women sent sour-faced stares in
our direction; however, even the slightest smile was answered with big toothy
grins and friendly ‘hello’s.
From Negombo’s pack of stray Pomeranians and the hordes of
crows crowding telephone wires and trees nationwide to beach-roaming cows and
Galle’s freakishly large monitor lizard population, not even the animals were
what we expected.
We wanted a change from the life to which we have become
accustomed, a change from the similar cultures, foods, religions, and travel
experiences of Southeast Asia. And that is most certainly what we got in Sri
Lanka.
