Most Sri Lankans travel as families, and most females do not travel alone unless it is to go see their family or friends for holidays or marriages. I was often asked by hosts if I planned to marry a Sri Lankan or if I were already married. After being asked so many times if I were married, I realized this was because the locals here love to talk about their families. In answer the marriage question, sometimes I would say that I was married and then go on to talk about my long-time boyfriend. On other occasions, being asked the same question, I would say that I was not married, and the person would ask me if I planned to marry a Sri Lankan. Often this question was asked with a smile, as though it was meant as a joke. At other times, the question was being asked out of genuine curiosity as to what I might say in reply. Such fun people!
I enjoyed my time in Sri Lanka. The culture of hospitality is very strong here, making Sri Lanka feel like a home away from home. The people love to make conversation and go about their lives in a way that makes me think of a time before T.V., cell phones and social media, although all of these things exist in Sri Lanka, too! It’s just that these things are not so much a part of life for Sri Lankans as they are for us Americans. For example, the town of Kosgoda turns off their electricity during the day: this is because they view daylight electricity to be unnecessary! Can you imagine on Saturday mornings not being able to watch cartoons or play video games? Instead, all the kids would go out and play! Well that is pretty much the way things are for people in this part of Sri Lanka. And thinking of playtime activities, a particularly popular hobby for Sri Lankan youth is surfing!
