|
Hello Kindred Spirits,
On long trips in Sri Lanka, the dilemma is always finding a ‘suitable' bathroom. This time though, I'm in luck. My companions on this journey are Ratnasena, my driver, and Clifford, my guide. Clifford is 23 and has "two fussy sisters" so he claimed to know what is required for a satisfactory visit to the loo.
He took it upon himself to inspect each convenience before I entered. If he declared it ‘acceptable' I was permitted to use it. If not, we must search for another - and fast! All in all, this procedure is something akin to the Queen having food tasters - only in this case it's Madame Flavour having her very own private toilet checker.
Clifford took his role seriously and did a great job. We almost had a disaster though at one point in the middle of nowhere where we hadn't come across a convenience (acceptable or otherwise) for quite some time.
I was almost ready to dart into the bushes at the side of the road (much to my companions' horror), but thankfully we found a tiny café and I was pointed in the direction of a tin shed halfway down the hill. It was only a hole in the ground but it had spectacular views. Clifford did not try to dissuade me from using it - he understands that sometimes one must sacrifice comfort for beauty.
While we were there, a truck arrived with loudspeakers blaring. I asked Clifford what the people on board were promoting, expecting it to be an advertising announcement of some sort. Instead, I was surprised to discover it is an initiative letting people know that doctors have set up a clinic in the local Buddhist temple for free for those who cannot otherwise afford healthcare.
I took a moment to reflect that wherever you are this world of ours, if you look (and listen) you can always find evidence of love and compassion.
Until the next leg of my adventure, au revoir!
|
