Have We Lost the Wonder?

I mentioned before that we forget that Jaeson hasn't been to this part of the world...that this was all new to him.

On the other hand, this morning I am pondering how it has changed us having been to so very many places.

We are waiting in a beach hotel in Negombo, Sri Lanka to begin our touring.

Not much of a beach to be sure, (see attached photo of friendly but itchy local dog and broken down catamaran) but I give myself leeway for being particular about beaches at this point in my life.

However, when did we stop looking at each other and declaring in hushed and reverent tones "Can you believe we are in (fill in the blank with any of some 70 countries)?

To this day I vividly recall turning that corner on a hillside south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, seeing that huge umbrella acacia tree and nearly crying at the thought of being in Africa.

So, first, let me ask, Can you believe we are in Sri Lanka?

Second, let's talk about some little things.

Like the absolutely worst seats on the plane from Manado to Jakarta. The agent gave us exit row seats which was lovely. But none of the seats on the plane reclined. None of them. At all. And I swear they were worse than vertical...that they were in fact slightly leaning forward. Just awful.  But then the agent for Sri Lankan airways gave us bulkhead seats that not only tipped back but have over 3 ft of leg room. I don't know if they take pity on us because we are foreigners or because Michael is 6ft 3in tall. But whatever the reason, thank you.

Next, when we landed in Jakarta (that being our 5th landing in Indonesia in a week), there was, for the only time, a small, potted coconut palm just set right in the middle of the jetway. Certainly there was some reason for that. So, first quiz of this trip.....WHY? What was the significance of that? My google searches have yielded absolutely no insight at all.

Then coming through immigration in Colombo, Sri Lanka there were not only the standard duty free shops selling liquor and chocolates and perfume but vendors peddling: musical instruments, kitchen wares, huge televisions, washers, dryers and refrigerators! This is not a quiz as I asked our driver and apparently Sri Lankans  working abroad are permitted certain concessions when they return home. I saw someone with a tv balanced on their luggage cart but wasn't lucky enough to find anyone toting a stove.

Finally this morning we saw a squirrel. On the beach. Let me repeat that. We saw a SQUIRREL on the BEACH. That was a new one. My google search on that one revealed that there is such a thing as a palm squirrel. It looks more like a large chipmunk. And the nest in the same tree was apparently hers (or his) not the bothersome crow's. (Second pic)

So, we shall endeavor to remember how lucky we are to enjoy these experiences and to appreciate even the little things...especially as our tour has already been revised due to three days of heavy rains north which have closed the roads and will divert us away from Willpatu Park for leopard searching safaris and add in the ruins at Polonnaruwa. 

Happy trails.