My Time in Sri Lanka Begins!

And in true Sri Lankan style, I have arrived safely in one of my favourite places in the world.

I’m feeling very overwhelmed, but totally excited and ready for everything this next long period of time holds for me. I’ve been nervous, I’ll admit, but not until the last six or sever hours in the UK when I think it really sunk in exactly what I was doing and that I was leaving my family behind. Since moving back home after Univeristy, I’d say it feels even harder to leave home again. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be in a totally peaceful house all by myself. Something I’m now currently experiencing in Sri Lanka.

The truth of the matter is, I’ve know Sri Lanka has a special place in my heart since my first trip here in January 2016. There was just something about the desperation of the people I came across, but the joy at the same time. It’s contagious, and once you’ve experienced it once, you’ll be wanting to come back for more. The plan however was never that I would be HERE, on the ground, but with the more trips I took, I felt called to give it a go, and see how I got on. My three weeks in February this year were to an extent the confirmation I needed that I would have fun being here but knowing I was doing something worthwhile. I’m giving it a shot, and that’s all I can do. A year is a long stint, but I am sure I’ll feel settled before I know it!

On Tuesday 31st October, I ensured I made the most of my finer things - my last lie-in in my own bed, my last hot-watered shower and of course, the super fast WiFi. I hate this saying, but it truly is a case of First World Problems.

I have no idea how easy it will be to update this blog page regularly until I get ahold of internet and/or a Sri Lankan SIM. For the time being, if you need to get ahold of me, drop me a message on iMessage if you can, whatsapp or Facebook message. Texting will be waaaaay too expensive. I am sure I will be able to hook up to WiFi hotspots across the city and the school in the coming weeks until I am sorted, so I will only be able to reply as and when I can I’m afraid!

After having a massive nightmare trying to decide and organise what to pack in my suitcase, I was met with my first hurdle - the weight allowance. To cut a long story short, it ended with myself and my parents removing what we deemed to be “essentials” out of the bag to be within the weight allowance. Not only was this a problem with my suitcase, but also my hand luggage!

The plane journey was good, and I slept the whole way to Dubai, and then the same from Dubai to Colombo. As I had suspected, these flights were very quiet, and on the second leg of my journey, I think each passenger had 5 seats to themselves. Perfect sleeping conditions!

Upon arrival in Colombo, it was smooth sailing until I turned up at the luggage belt. Three guesses what was wrong? - actually, scrap that, I think you may only need one!

My luggage had not arrived...

Normally I would travel with someone who would know what to do in this situation, however, I was alone, at a baggage belt with nothing on it, and no one to help. Thankfully I found a lovely lady at baggage reclaim who pointed me in the right direction and helped me file the claim. After filling in all the files, I was told no one seemed to know where the bag had ended up, and that they would begin the searching for me. After all this is Sri Lanka, so who knows when I might get an answer or a returned suitcase!

My control freak self is definitely not happy and certainly worried about my bag, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the whole situation. But the inner-adventurer (If she is there!) is saying there are people around me who can help me out and get me the things I need until it turns up.

This afternoon has been spent buying a few bits and pieces of clothing and toiletries, and a sick incident in a supermarket. So not exactly the fun and games I was hoping for, and certainly not how I imagined my arrival to Sri Lanka, but then again, as Mum reminded me - at least I got here in one piece, and that is all that matters!