Lanka-The India of My dreams!

A colleague of at my previous workplace gifted me a fridge magnet of Sri Lanka- and when I saw it, I had a feeling it doesn’t belong here- since I have not earned it. Well, it had been on my refrigerator for almost 3 years now. Whenever I spoke to my European friends or acquaintances about India, it was an amazing revelation to see that people in other parts of the world admired my country and its neighbouring countries more than I did. With its reputation of it being a budget travellers paradise, without any research and travel aspirations – I booked my tickets and set on solo-trip.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country- stunning landscapes- just like ours, the food is lip-smacking- just like ours but there are so many factors which are really make it a very beautiful journey back in time. When I was in Sri Lanka the first 2 days – regretted my decision in choosing Lanka as my solo trip destination. I felt I have used my passport and got a visa but this doesn’t feel ‘foreign.’ Little did I know this country is really is no-where close to mine and the notion of India is just like Sri Lanka isn’t true! So here is a list where I really feel India and Sri Lanka are different-

1. Cleanliness is Godliness-Lanka is clean and cute. It is a treat to be in reality at a railway station we have been watching in the trailer of Malgudi Days and be at one! The railway stations, railway carriage compartments are spic-and-span. We can be sitting outside a toilet in the train for the breath-taking views the country has to offer without any realisation that there is toilet close by.

Colombo Railway Station

Ella Railway Station

Clean and organised Railway station

Train Travel

2. Less Letching – I felt a huge difference when Singhalese and the Tamil men did not give me extra attention.

   

   Policewomen Uniform in Skirts!

   Of course- there were many who asked – where are going Madam, which country Madam? My equation changed with locals when I started calling them – Aiyya which means big brother and Akka for older sister. Knowing basics of a local language and my countries Bollywood legacy which has entertained every Lankan did help me get around -without being misguided. Also, their own policewomen wearing skirts made a huge difference in their attitude to really understand clothing doesnt define a women.

3. The Ultimate Road trip Destination– If Dil Chahata Hain sequel is in making it has to be in Sri Lanka and not the over-crowded North Goa which has more Pure-Veg – Gujrathi Thali than Goan Food! What makkhan roads the Lankans have. I covered almost 500kms without one pothole. The views are stunning- alongside the sea and on the mountains!

Pothole-less Roads!

Beautiful scenic roads in Lanka

If you really decide to take this advise be careful though- Lankans take their Tiger crossings – my word for their equivalent of Zebra Crossings really seriously. They stop their vehicle at 6am at a crossing even if there is no pedestrian. To drive in Lanka I would brush up my driving skills to follow rules and let go off my ‘chalta hain attitude.’

4. The Sustainable culture –
5. The Sustainable culture– The smallest roadside eatery to a topclass restaurant in Sri Lanka serve in reusable cutlery (china and stainless steel, not even bamboo)- drastically reducing their carbon footprint. Disposable cutlery in form of – Paper, plastic, thermocol, aluminium foil is almost non-existent. I was there on their Independence Day- and all the street-side vendors sold flags made of cloth versus paper/plastic. The respect for Lankans skyrocketed I saw even a small street side vendor is unknowingly not adding to carbon footprint. And when lipsmacking food like- chicken kotthu, dhal, rice, pol-sambhol, hoppers <SL version of appams> are served in china/steel-it tasted so much better to me!
   

   Stringhoppers with Egg curry

   

   Stringhoppers with Egg curry

I am glad I chose Lanka as a country to unravel, despite being so close and yet different in so many ways.
My admiration from Lankan Government has increased even more after I came to know the hard NO, they have undertaken for denying palm oil plantation. A small country but it did not bow down and chose its jungles and wildlife over the never-ending hunger of palm oil. My journey that started from a fridge magnet turned to be one of the most insightful travels with a lot of learning and absolutely feeling ‘Love thy neighbour.’