An adventure of getting lost
We climbed Ella Rock this morning. It was an adventure of getting lost, which we are quite sure is the strategy of the locals, as the moment you appear lost, someone shows up to guide you – for a fee. We do not quibble this, given that the average wage is around $75 AUS per week. (Around $50US) Many people are on far less than this. We figured out there are at least 6 or 7 paths up to the rock, and the locals know them all. Getting lost is easy – there are no signs – and if a sign is put up, it will probably disappear overnight.
Our first non-official guide was an elder with almost no teeth. He was wearing flip-flops and a sari. He was fitter than both of us and clearly climbed this mountain every day, maybe a few times.
The view from the top is magnificent, and we were lucky to have a glorious morning. One of the ubiquitous Sri Lankan dogs was sleeping right on the precipice.
My father is 91 years young on this day. Still going strong.
My daughter is on a flight to Bali.
I am writing to the sounds of construction. Sri Lankan construction is a tricky affair. We are staying in a fabulous place high on a hill, with amazing views. At this point, we would rather not know just how good our building is. The owners are building the next one right beside us, and it is pretty dodgy.
Half of the buildings in Sri Lanka seem to either be under construction, or the construction is abandoned. Dodgy is the building code.
Yesterday, my trusty Tuk-tuk driver, Tony, navigated the road from Aragam Bay up to Ella. Driving here there are rules, and it is actually quite safe. The rules are known by all but unwritten. The buses get right of way over everything, and they drive fast. Never challenge a Sri Lankan bus. The middle of the road is the preferred place to drive – less potholes. And the horn and tooting have a language and code.
Driving is far more polite than the lineup in the surf at Aragam Bay.
Ella at night is like a nightclub in the hills. Fluro lights, doof doof, all before 7 PM. We were not expecting that. The tourist dollar is the economy. All hail the tourist. A part of me feels sad.
Photo Taken August 29th 2024
