I almost got to India two years ago.
I was planning on my summer vacation back then. I had travel mates this time. All they wanted were leisure moments at sunny shiny beach and relaxation. It was no surprise they declined my call for India. India was definite no-go for them.
Can't really address how the idea got to me. Nonetheless I was captivated by the raw life in India. I have never been to India or anything related to it. Even Buddhism was unfamiliar at that time as I was born Christian.
But whenever I think of India, it felt so familiar. I could already imagine me in the train and fall for beautiful eyes I never seen. Perhaps I was an Indian before my latest incarnation or what.
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It was a clever move to bring Sri-Lanka on the table. The country was surrounded by sea, had nice climates, modern and most importantly had a scent of India.
Eventually we decided to go Sri-Lanka. To say, my travel mates were ready to be persuaded after all. I could have hard pushed India. But it felt like I was not ready at that moment. I want it to be perfect. I needed more time.
Since it's two years past, I have to say there certainly will be a romantic distortion recalling my first Sri-Lankan curry and buriyani. We went to local curry canteen(not exactly a canteen but more to canteen compared to restaurant) and had dishes the owner served.
It was my first language barrier experience too. I don't think he understood anything I spoke. I kept pointing dishes locals having. I wasn't so sure he understood me. But in the end we got the dishes like all the others in the canteen.
It could have been really puzzling if I were all alone. But I led my fellows to Sri-Lanka. I had to be more responsible for upcoming experiences. It was not really a delicious meal, just regular food for Lankans. My friends hardly finished dishes. But I was willing to finish my dish to not embarrass myself.
From day two we started to have 'international style' meals. It felt like cheating. But there's million ways to travel anyway. At least we had it in interval. Like eat at KFC and the next day should be curry and lotti.
That’s when I had glimpse of more colorful world. I made my mind to explore beyond ‘International’.
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