Lovely reading your reflections of Kandy. I, too, have fond memories of the small city, introduced to me by local friends and by volunteering at a children's home.
Although, unlike most, I found Sri Lanka to be one of the tougher places I've traveled, especially as a solo woman taking public transportation. I always put it down to a high level of exhaustion I was feeling at the time, rather than the people or the place.
Yes, it was one of the few times during that first 2-year trip when I'm really had to dig deep not lose my shit. As a result, I missed hiking Adam’s Peak, but kept my sanity (and safety).
Seeing all the tea pickers working hard around Ella also helped put my travel angst into perspective.
I wrote about kandy a few months ago. It's a city that marked me. having your perspective was great and such a warming flashback. Also, I can only agree with this quote : " I prefer the ‘knowledge’ phase from 40–50 years, displaying a person with a strong, upright stance and holding a book. Surely that’ll be me forever."
Sri Lanka is very special and I highly plan to come back. Just a fascinating place for understanding the Sinhalese resilience, the Tamil cultures in the north, the history of trade, irrigation, Theravada Buddhism … and of course a marvelous wildlife. As you’ve said an all around fun place
What a wonderful glimpse of a little known place. Thanks Brad for your writing and Scott for publishing. I'm sad for the teenage monk - maybe he didn't want to go.
Lovely reading your reflections of Kandy. I, too, have fond memories of the small city, introduced to me by local friends and by volunteering at a children's home.
Although, unlike most, I found Sri Lanka to be one of the tougher places I've traveled, especially as a solo woman taking public transportation. I always put it down to a high level of exhaustion I was feeling at the time, rather than the people or the place.
Thank you for reading, Erin. Sri Lanka can feel a bit like India, that is to say, crowded, loud, and lacking in personal space.
Yes, it was one of the few times during that first 2-year trip when I'm really had to dig deep not lose my shit. As a result, I missed hiking Adam’s Peak, but kept my sanity (and safety).
Seeing all the tea pickers working hard around Ella also helped put my travel angst into perspective.
I wrote about kandy a few months ago. It's a city that marked me. having your perspective was great and such a warming flashback. Also, I can only agree with this quote : " I prefer the ‘knowledge’ phase from 40–50 years, displaying a person with a strong, upright stance and holding a book. Surely that’ll be me forever."
I’m glad you enjoyed it as well! Actually I liked everywhere I’ve been in Sri Lanka, its just an all around fun place.
Sri Lanka is very special and I highly plan to come back. Just a fascinating place for understanding the Sinhalese resilience, the Tamil cultures in the north, the history of trade, irrigation, Theravada Buddhism … and of course a marvelous wildlife. As you’ve said an all around fun place
I'm sure he was. 💙
What a wonderful glimpse of a little known place. Thanks Brad for your writing and Scott for publishing. I'm sad for the teenage monk - maybe he didn't want to go.
He was probably scared to leave home, just like most kids would be.