You would think that traveling to India by myself would have been enough of an adventure for me, but apparently the universe wanted me to see more of the world. I really struggled with leaving India, my new home. It has meant so much to me, to be there. So with great regret and with much curiosity I packed my backpack and embarked on my new adventure to see the rest of South East Asia.
I landed in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Poya holiday, the holiday that celebrates the full moon. They do this holiday every month here, and as I arrive, I think to myself: it would only be appropriate that I begin my journey on the full moon, the moon that I honor and feel blessed to be connected to.

On the streets, I was shocked to see the militia army on almost every corner with their M-16s fully out. This was partly my naiveté for it seems only natural that a country that has suffered so much due to its arduous civil war would still be guarded a year after its final peace talks have been implemented. I found Colombo too overwhelming and boring, so I quickly took a train to Kandy, the famous town in the hill country. The beautiful ride on the train confirmed to me that my soul needed this adventure, even if it was presented at a time in my life where I did not think I had the energy for any more adventures other than India.

In Kandy, I went to see the Temple of the Tooth, the Caves filled with Buddhas in Dambulla and the wild elephants at the Elephant orphanage in Pinewella. It was here that I began to understand the power that travel can have. I was so moved by all the new tastes and smells and energies here. Up in the caves of Dambulla I was blessed by a Hindu priest, later I meditated with ancient Buddhas and stopped to do an asana to show my gratitude to these caves and this energy I felt.

I quickly moved to see my final chosen destination in Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa the Surfer capital of this tiny island. I had to end my trip with some R&R and some beautiful beaches right? There is something about being near the ocean that moves me, and inspires revolutions of peace inside my heart. I meditated here, worked on my practice and even dug my feet in the sand while I cleansed my crystals. I even took a surf lesson. In those two days, I did everything to just be near the water. I needed its fluidity and its healing qualities to help me become grounded.
I was moved by each person I met on this trip as well. The beautiful family on my ride to Hikkaduwa, who offered me enough to eat on the 6 hour journey, or the Japanese backpacker who had spent a month studying Vipanassa meditation. I also was grateful for my new friend Tony, a physics TA at a school in Qatar, who instantly became my backpacking buddy and who even came to meet me in Hikkaduwa after climbing Adam’s Peak. There were of course the local surfer boys who taught me to just enjoy life and let go a little bit. And just like that the first country on my tour was over. I found myself up at 2 am packing up yet again for another adventure. To the beautiful land of Thailand, who knows who and what will inspire me here. Only time will tell…