Discovering the magic of Sri lanka, the former Ceylon island

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05. 09. 2007 Dambulla (Sri lanka)
Ten hours of flight lead us in this land three and a half hour time zone from Italy! Why, then, there is also the half hour difference? The first color the mystery trip!
The first approach in the long transfer from the capital Colombo to Dambulla was a mixture of Vietnam (for the uncontrolled chaos in the streets) and Panama for its lush vegetation so thick!
Island with many names, from "Serendib" of days gone by to "Ceylon" (during the British colonization) to the current Sri lanka, which means "earth of the good times by chance."
The British, in addition to driving on the left, have left their legacy in the passion for cricket. The Sri Lankan national, in fact, is leading the world in this sport and often we see kids around, playing the sport. A bit like football with us!
In the hotel we are welcomed by many monkeys wander quiet. We were told to be careful always in the room and close all windows to prevent them from entering to do damage! However, what I did not expect were the bats! There are thousands of night, you hover over his head as if they were giant flies, you just get used to it! And only the ninth ...

06. 09. 2007 Anuradhapura (Sri lanka)
[Nick]: The bus goes honking at all times on a street 'full of holes "which inter alia should be a main road ... Around trees, fields, shops here and there and stalls selling fruit, very colorful!
In Anuradhapura, we visited a temple which houses the "Bo tree, a tree that seems to be born from a sprout dell'arbusto under which Buddha had the lighting ... Who knows!
The thing that surprised me most was the ceremony of offering gifts ... A row of elderly Indian women dressed in pure white to the sound of a drum, slowly, went with trays of gifts (flowers, incense, fruit) to be placed under the altar of the various Buddha! I was struck by the conviction in their faces while praying.
I learned that so far there are four states Buddha. One every 5000 years. Last Siddhartha Gautama was enlightened about 2500 years ago.
The fault of the various attacks of the so called "Tamil Tigers" (an ethnic group that lives mainly in the north and hopes that the separation from the rest of the island), we were checked, searches, both the body and backpack many times!
Habarana to me very surprised to see women doing the laundry and washed the banks of a pond dirt and then dry them were lying down on the rocks ... Men, boys, children with soaps, toothpastes that there washed and dried in the open air! Another form of freedom?!?
We will have the opportunity to take a ride on the back of a big elephant! From there I am just enjoying the scenery surrounding us and enveloping! Occasionally popping out a path that penetrated into the dark bushes from where came the various sounds and music! They were the villages of the natives ... How wonderful! Every time I saw little house made of earth ... But with a drizzle will not melt? Boh!
One thing that disappointed me a bit is that all Sri Lankans we met, when they understood that we were Italians shouted triumphantly: "One Italy". Italy, a country of artists, musicians, poets, surfers, artists, chefs, is now famous for the sign: "One Italy". What bitterness!
07. 09. 2007 Sigirya (Sri lanka)
This morning we faced the dreaded climb the fortress of Sigirya. Very hard? I was expecting worse! And 'majestic and imposing this big rock by the feet of the lion. Climbing accessible to everyone! I saw impressive beehives, real black pyramids downward ... factories honey!
Sigirya not retain almost no archaeological remains except for the beautiful frescoes preserved in a cave, the only thing better is being able to admire the panorama from a rock so high!
Soon after we visited a factory of "batik". The "batik" is a particular form of art on cotton that are used color and beeswax. The main feature is that you see the same design without distinction, both on one side than the other!
Unexpectedly, in a courtyard we see two strange animals. There were two cassowaries. A kind of prehistoric ostrich enemy of the Cobra! Two very strong legs and big, powerful chest, claws on the wings, big horn on his head from a long and sharp beak. Blacks necked blue and purple.
Afternoon visit Polonnaruwa. Very beautiful the various statues of Buddha carved into the rock. To achieve the largest we had spent twelve years! At Polonnaruwa we were surrounded in the true sense of the word from apes. That impression, they seem so like us, joked with each other, they were running game, delousing each other ...
But to remain in the series "National Geographic, which has affected me greatly were the three dangerous lizards encountered while crossing a bridge!
How nice, then see the various schools that were open lesson under the shade of trees and several students with the white uniforms ....
[Nick]: I am excited to give a lot of pens that we had brought from Italy for the occasion to lecture schoolchildren who were in the schoolyard, they were really happy for a pen!
08. 09. 2007 Dambulla (Sri lanka)
Morning dedicated to Dambulla and visit the temple.
In each cave there were many statues of Buddha represented in many different positions and desperate! Even a hair and when I asked why such a representation to guide told me a little embarrassed, "Well, is the inspiration of the artist!"
Those smells, those chants recited by the faithful praying continuously ...
Along the way there was also a snake charmer! What impression! There were three cobra in a box and just lifted the lid and the teacher gave him a small blow to the chest, suddenly came out with a lightning shot in the hand and rushed Caster ...
Soon after we made a stroll down the main street of Dambulla ... And we asked a policeman where he was a little embarrassed the city center .... There!
In the afternoon we hiked in the jungle! Honestly we have not seen the animal that one expects to encounter in a jungle except for a few butterflies, small reptiles, etc.. It was worth it, though, only because we admired the view once you reach the top of a mountain, sweat drenched but happy to have reached that target small!
Right there in the distance we see a cricket pitch! We can not miss this opportunity, so with a nice couple of guys from Turin: Andrea and Georgia. Once at the top get ready to try this new sport emerges when suddenly a football ...
As a good Italian folded just see it now on a football match: ITALY-Sri lanka! After a few minutes we lead 3-0. But the more we play the greater our opponents. The match ended 6-5 for the many Sri Lankans who have contributed!



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