A Taste of Sri Lanka

Traveling the lovely little island of Sri Lanka has been WAY more relaxing than we were planning.  I was honestly expecting a bunch of chaos and mayhem, but in reality it's such a laid back chilled out country.  That being said, the buses and trains were STILL hot and crowded...but yet in the midst of all the people...the Sri Lankans STILL offered US seats...out of all the people on the bus...not sure why but they always seemed to find us. The train and bus stations have been surprisingly organized...and the cost of transportation is ridiculously cheap here...for a 2 hour train ride you're looking at about $.50 cents....i guess that means only one thing...more beer money. :)

Not sure how the hek these guys hang on...

one of our lovely little local buses :)  aka how is this thing still running?

Enjoying our first Lion Lager :)

The beaches have of course been amazing...even with some crazy heat waves and having to watch out for the snake men on the beach.  I mean there's nothing better than trying to relax in the sun and opening up your eyes to a freaking ginormous snake in ur face!  Ummmmm no thank you?

seriously?

Arugam Bay

We did a Safari in Uda Walawe National Park one afternoon... saw a TON  of elephants and a few other animals...but I'm pretty sure my faves were the little babies.  :)

One of our excursions was hiking to this place called Ella Rock.  We weren't given many directions except to follow the train tracks, take a left and hike up the rock. Oh yeh and to of course watch out for the trains in case they are passing by while we are on the tracks...Perfect.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, turns out we had absolutely no clue where we were going and it wasn't until we ended up in this local man's backyard that he finally decided to lead us on r hike (pretty sure bcuz he was sick of watching us take every wrong turn possible).  He didn't speak much English but thank God knew the way...after what was not the easiest hike of our lives and following a local man in a skirt and flip flops, while of course smoking....we made it.  Without any leeches...which was also a huge bonus. :)

Trekking on the tracks :) ...And praying a train doesn't come...

our "guide"

FINALLY

If you like tea, come to Sri Lanka.  They are known for their tea and have some pretty exceptional tea factories here....cool story hey?  :)

Tea plantation :)

The people of Sri Lanka have been awesome, along with the outstanding curries, and super cool train rides.  :)  Oh and the Lion Lager beer, sunrises and sunsets of course...

sunset over Kandy lake  :)

Until Next Time Nepal....

Here's to summing up BY FAR one of my favorite countries yet...

After living in Nepal for the past 5 months, I have learned 2 appreciate (and LOVE) cold showers.  Sometimes even 4 per day (what can I say, it was quite hot).  My new favorite food is definitely momos...which is the unofficial national dish here in Nepal. I can get a plate of 10 momos, which is definitely a full meal, for only $.50 cents.  Since I've also been having daal bhat (rice and lentil soup) for both lunch and dinner everyday for the last billion days, I do have to say I might be ready for a new diet.  :)

Momos from a great place in Patan

Many things that have become the new normal...cows roaming the streets, crowded hot buses, passing corn on the cob vendors everyday, paying $.90 for a full season of Modern Family and $.25 cents for an egg omelet.  Walking up to a street stall pharmacy and getting prescription medication (without a prescription of course) for $1 is not unusual either.

My last day at school the kids had a fancy dress competition.  They practiced for a over a week and it could not have been a better last day.  It was beyond the cutest thing OF MY LIFE.

A Princess

Nepali Babu

My class 2 boys :)

Last day with all the kiddos

To the temples, the Himalayas, the meditation courses, the children, and the people of Nepal, this country is a diamond in the rocks.  I am so extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to discover this beautiful country and it's people and could never have imagined this experience to be as amazing as it was.  I'll have no choice but to come back.  Oh Darn. :)

Temples of Patan

Kopan Meditation Class

View from Poon Hill

My Amazing Nepalese Family :)

A final few words from my Nepali grandpa....."We have the best of times, not the worst of times"  in regards to our conversations...which could not have been more true...considering we talked about everything from philosophy to religion and all of his amazing life experiences.
His ancestors told him "Dont be a beggar, be a giver."  Pretty sure he nailed that one along with all the other hundreds of thousands of Nepalis. :)



An African proverb I somehow just stumbled upon says "Every time an old man dies, it is as if a library has burned down."Let's hope THIS library doesn't burn down for awhile so I can come back to pay him another visit. :)