Swirling reflections while in Sri Lanka
How to get over an aging face. Get two massive black eyes and be shocked every time you look in the mirror. Not recommended, but certainly has one get over thinner lips and a falling-down face.
The rubbish and litter everywhere. It is heartbreaking. No matter where you drive, there it is. Plastic water bottles are the consequence of water not being safe to drink. The situation is not as bad as in places like Bali, but you do have to watch what and how you eat and drink.
The rare sound of an Aussie accent.
Being surrounded by people from Israel. I wonder, with great curiosity, how people from Israel can go on a holiday and be so carefree, while their country is enacting genocide. I try to think – if I were Israeli and I opposed the war, could I take a holiday? What would I do? How would I respond?
I think as well how I can take a holiday and be so carefree while the tragedy is unfolding in Palestine and Ukraine. Can I hold the tension between these two polarities?
Yesterday, my wonderful tuk-tuk driver—my love Tony—and I went for a drive and encountered wild elephants, many peacocks, crocodiles, buffalo on the road, two different types of monkeys, plus goats and cows. What a delight.
Sri Lankan dogs are everywhere. The government cares for them to ensure rabies is not a problem. Some serious desexing would be helpful, as the females have borne many litters. They are skinny but seem to be fed. They own the roads and hardly break a breath when people or tuk-tuks go by, centimetres from their flesh. They are sweet creatures and appear to have adopted places and corners as their regular patch. They can be found on the floors of shops and restaurants, staking claim to their regular resting ground.
My surf this morning was free of the fear that gripped me yesterday after my face smash. I was very proud of myself. I am pretty scary, though, to look at. It might work in my favour in busy surf.
Another day is in front of us. I did not expect this to be a super healthy holiday. Fabulous food, hours and hours of exercise. Almost no alcohol, and the honest exhaustion that comes with being outdoors and surfing for hours on end.
Today is a public holiday, as is every full moon day. Poya Day is part of Buddhist practice—a day of cleansing.
I like that. A celebration and cleansing built around the full moon.
Photo Taken August 18th 2024
