So last weekend we went to Yala National Park (not this weekend because as usually I am behind!) as I had mentioned in my last post. We actually stayed outside the park in an area called Tissamaharama (Tissa for short). This is where one of the secretaries in the Duke research office lives (Ruvini). Well to be more correct this is where her family lives as she leaves in Galle with her husband and son. But anyways, I mention her because she really helped to make our trip special!
She was planning on going home this weekend and so we hitched a ride with her family in their very large van, which saved us the tiring 6 hour bus ride. She also helped us find a nice guesthouse which was basically across the street from her home so that she could feed us every single meal! It was so sweet and completely unexpected. Her family was very welcoming.
We went on a safari early Friday morning (5am!) and her brother woke up to go with us to make sure we would have a good trip. We did not see too many exciting animals but saw an elephant and many beautiful peacocks. I did not realize that elephants with tusks (called Tuskers here. Brilliant!) are only native to Africa. But there is a small pack (are they called packs?) of them here at Yala. Here are a few of the many pictures I took:
After the safari we went to Kataragama, which is a famous religious site. But it is actually known more for the Hindu God it is named after rather than the Buddhist temple that is there. I think I mentioned in old posts that many of the Buddhists here also pray to Hindu Gods. This is a popular time in Kataragama because it is the time of their annual festival. Religious people often make 45 day on foot pilgrimages from northern Sri Lanka (where most of the Hindus are) to come to this festival. Because of the festival, we got lucky enough to see a Perahera. A Perahera is this processional of dances and music from different areas along with many elephants that honors the God of the temple. The Kandy Perahera is the most famous and is occurring right now but is unfortunately a bit above our price range to go to right now. Luckily we got to see this one and got really awesome seats for it thanks to our hosts! Here are a few pictures:
Ruvini's family actually owns a bakery so we go to eat some awesome bread and get a tour of the place! Very cool. Here are pictures of that and Ruvini's family:
Our final day we went bird watching but the location did not seem too ideal to actual see birds. As Xiao said "there is more s*** here than birds"and literally it was true! haha. There are some awesome quote from this trip, and I will take a moment to digress and mention two of my favorite. I am not sure if you find them funny but they still bring tears to my eyes from laughing:
1. Xiao: as we (aka everyone but Xiao) are trying to split the check at a restaurant but keep getting the math wrong, Xiao says: "Next time let the Chinese guy do the math"
2. Sean: as we are freshening up to go to Ruvini's family's home for dinner, Sean comes to Gayani and me and asks "hey guys, should I wear pants to be more conservative?"
haha, this one still kills me. We reassured him that it was okay for him to show leg ;o)
There have been many changes in the people here at Leijay. I don't think I mentioned that Mirna left a couple of weeks back. We also briefly had 3 Duke undergraduate students who were returning to Leijay after teaching English in the mountains of Deniyaya. Gayani is not staying at Leijay. She is a Global Health Fellow (aka she is already a doctor and actually an adult infectious disease subspecialist) doing research here for a year. She is a native Sri Lankan, and it is awesome to have the perks of the getting the local rate when she is around! Though not as awesome as her company :o) Finally, now we have a Duke Global Health Masters student (like Mirna) here to do some research. Her name is Anna, and she is Japanese. I love all the diverse people I have met here! Global Health draws a like-minded crowd from around the world. I am learning so much about so many different cultures and histories while in Sri Lanka!
So I am ranting a bit. I will stop for now but will try to put more posts up as my days near an end in Sri Lanka. This has been a great way to chronicle my time here, and I want to put in everything before I forget! You guys are now updated from a week ago but more has happened since that I will share tomorrow!
She was planning on going home this weekend and so we hitched a ride with her family in their very large van, which saved us the tiring 6 hour bus ride. She also helped us find a nice guesthouse which was basically across the street from her home so that she could feed us every single meal! It was so sweet and completely unexpected. Her family was very welcoming.
We went on a safari early Friday morning (5am!) and her brother woke up to go with us to make sure we would have a good trip. We did not see too many exciting animals but saw an elephant and many beautiful peacocks. I did not realize that elephants with tusks (called Tuskers here. Brilliant!) are only native to Africa. But there is a small pack (are they called packs?) of them here at Yala. Here are a few of the many pictures I took:
Beautiful male peacock. We saw one put up his feathers and do the mating call, which normally they only do in the evenings! My picture did not turn out well of it but it was pretty!
A baby crocodile. There are many of these here!
The baby Tusker we saw! He was so cute eating some hay :o)
Deer and buffalo. The scenery really reminded me of my Africa safari.
After the safari we went to Kataragama, which is a famous religious site. But it is actually known more for the Hindu God it is named after rather than the Buddhist temple that is there. I think I mentioned in old posts that many of the Buddhists here also pray to Hindu Gods. This is a popular time in Kataragama because it is the time of their annual festival. Religious people often make 45 day on foot pilgrimages from northern Sri Lanka (where most of the Hindus are) to come to this festival. Because of the festival, we got lucky enough to see a Perahera. A Perahera is this processional of dances and music from different areas along with many elephants that honors the God of the temple. The Kandy Perahera is the most famous and is occurring right now but is unfortunately a bit above our price range to go to right now. Luckily we got to see this one and got really awesome seats for it thanks to our hosts! Here are a few pictures:
The bright decorations at the temple
Some fire dancers
They start with the small elephants first...
Some of the beautiful and different dancing
The finale with the large Tusker elephant carrying Kataragama's idol.
Beautiful Bodhi Tree all light up
The Sri Lankan national flower! I forget the name now though
The Buddhist temple in Kataragama
Ruvini's family actually owns a bakery so we go to eat some awesome bread and get a tour of the place! Very cool. Here are pictures of that and Ruvini's family:
This actually home made yogurt, which Tissa is famous for. They eat it with this sweet and tangy sauce.
The bread ovens!
Dough ready to go in!
Yummy dough that is baking!
Us in front of Ruvini's house with her and her son. I am eating some yummy bread :o)
Traveling the Sri Lankan way: in style!
Ruvini's family and us! The children are super cute! Ruvini's son is 15 months while his cousin is 9 months but they look near the same age! His cousin went to everyone, and so I had lots of fun holding him :o)
Our final day we went bird watching but the location did not seem too ideal to actual see birds. As Xiao said "there is more s*** here than birds"and literally it was true! haha. There are some awesome quote from this trip, and I will take a moment to digress and mention two of my favorite. I am not sure if you find them funny but they still bring tears to my eyes from laughing:
1. Xiao: as we (aka everyone but Xiao) are trying to split the check at a restaurant but keep getting the math wrong, Xiao says: "Next time let the Chinese guy do the math"
2. Sean: as we are freshening up to go to Ruvini's family's home for dinner, Sean comes to Gayani and me and asks "hey guys, should I wear pants to be more conservative?"
haha, this one still kills me. We reassured him that it was okay for him to show leg ;o)
There have been many changes in the people here at Leijay. I don't think I mentioned that Mirna left a couple of weeks back. We also briefly had 3 Duke undergraduate students who were returning to Leijay after teaching English in the mountains of Deniyaya. Gayani is not staying at Leijay. She is a Global Health Fellow (aka she is already a doctor and actually an adult infectious disease subspecialist) doing research here for a year. She is a native Sri Lankan, and it is awesome to have the perks of the getting the local rate when she is around! Though not as awesome as her company :o) Finally, now we have a Duke Global Health Masters student (like Mirna) here to do some research. Her name is Anna, and she is Japanese. I love all the diverse people I have met here! Global Health draws a like-minded crowd from around the world. I am learning so much about so many different cultures and histories while in Sri Lanka!
So I am ranting a bit. I will stop for now but will try to put more posts up as my days near an end in Sri Lanka. This has been a great way to chronicle my time here, and I want to put in everything before I forget! You guys are now updated from a week ago but more has happened since that I will share tomorrow!
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