I spent a few days down at Hikkaduwa tried to take some surfing lessons which I initially set out to do. 2 days of good weather and me getting used to the strong waves pushing my ass around I finally set my hands on a surf board. I managed to get on my feet a couple of times but it was seconds before I was down under. It's quite an effort dragging it all the way back and waiting to hit the next wave only to get washed ashore. I enjoyed the sun for a few days before we were hit with bad weather and very rough sea. I sat and watched while 4 people were rescued within 2 hours..there was quite a bad under current and before I knew it, the beach was full of red flags. We had heavy showers that night but we still walked around searching for some beer till we stumbled upon a bar that had to shift indoors where they struggled with plastic sheets as shutters to keep the rain away. With a few bottles of alcohol that they managed to bring in from the bar outside, strong winds that constantly battled with the plastic to bring some of the rain inside, we were left with board games and limited alcohol. About ten of the local boys running the bar/resort started to put a make shift band together with makeshift instruments and sang in acapela. People passing by joined in when they heard the music outside, took shelter with us and shared some spirits. Rain was forecasted for a few days so I figured there was no point sticking around the beach side any more and I left for Kandy only to get more rain. There's a pretty little lake in the hill town and if you stumble upon a guest house preferably one of those quaint heritage homes it's quite an experience...they make you feel right at home. Trust my luck to fall sick but it all came with a bang. I managed to get a really bad cold when i took a walk in the rain which developed into a ear infection and I had some under cooked beef at the railway station which gave me a stomach infection. Word of caution- if you happen to fall sick and you think you need antibiotics- see a bloody doctor wherever you are- Avoid self medication. It can almost... well chances are you'll make things worse than they already are.
I did some exploring on the days I managed to keep my tummy empty. One bottle of salts to keep me hydrated, my ipod to soothe my wandering mind and a beautiful scenery to keep my heart inspired. I made it to Sigiriya and saw the reclining Buddha too. Got to verigama saw the fishing village, saw some amazing catch come in at the docks..scoped out the entire west coast searching for stick fisherman but none of them showed up. Other than that my body was just too tired to hit the road. I was in bed for a couple of days cos I couldn't move at all, so I stayed indoors and spent time with the owner of the guest house chatting with her while she made sure I took my tablets and I ate only kanji (red rice with salts & the boiled water). My better judgement would have dragged my ass to a hospital but I guess after a couple of days I just wanted to be home. So I made some changes in my travel dates and headed back.
Of all the time I spent in Sri Lanka, my best memories there have been with the people I met on the way. A girl selling coconuts outside my beach house invited me home for a special home made meal made by her mother... after chatting with her for 5 minutes. It was the first day the fruit stall was opened and I was their first customer. The food...it was a spread of Sri lankan delicacies. Fish in 3 different preparations, some veggies and of course Red rice. The hospitality......amazing.
The place i stayed at...mother and daughter running the place made me sit and have breakfast with them every morning talking about life and love and everything in between. The conversations were funny I laughed through most of my breakfasts. I picked up some chocolates for them when i stopped by the supermarket and in return they cooked me a sea food platter for lunch with a fresh catch of prawns and grilled crab. For the few good meals I had it was worth the days I was sick and starving.
For all the anticipation of being back home, I must have spent all of 3 hours in the city which got me to my doctor-1 prescription- a whole bunch of 500mg tablets that looked like horse tranquilizers- a one way ticket to goa- a super light bag on my back- and a cab ride to the airport.
Bakery on the go! You know they're coming when you hear this loud nasaly tune playing on a little loud speaker..since this was a month before christmas..we heard carols on almost every one of these.
So a handful of local women wore a sari...a little like the Indian Sari but prettier. The rest wore tshirts with long skirts...much like her!
