Anuradhapura to Jaffna by train
Began the day with a long walk around the Nuwara Wewa in Anuradhapura. Peaceful walk with birds flying a few meters above the surface casting a nice reflection. Shadows of their former selves.
Wonderful egg-packed pastries at the family bakery on Maithreepala Senanayake Mw. Planned to walk through Maithreepala Park but a lousy ticket booth prevented me from continuing my stroll. Time to skip out of town.
Checked the Jaffna time table for a train from Anuradhapura. Packed up bag at Kondamalle and marched with heavy pack to the train station. Only a small handful of other tourists boarded the train, so I knew I could expect a more exciting travel experience.
First impressions of the community of Jaffna
Struggling to find right adjectives to describe Jaffna. Authentic community with children playing in the streets and men playing cards along the roadside.
Wonderful dinner. Had a nice chat with a group of locals around my age. Very genuine people. Eager to learn about America. Often groups of Sri Lankans crowd around me as I attempt to communicate.
Must learn basic Tamil language if I’m going to get along here. Took a bicycle ride to dinner. Sat on the “back seat”. Feeling like a true traveling experience dissecting this community. Large fishing industry. Must try fish.
Stayed at Yarl’s Beach Inn, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Early morning stroll down Reclamation Rd.
Watched fishermen separate shrimp and fish from seaweed, all sitting in small circle groups. Made my way past a bustling fish market, saw a massive stingray, watched as they weighed fish using counterweight scales.
Eerie feeling walking through the streets of Jaffna seeing bombed out buildings with inscriptions from 2000-2002. Ate at a local food joint, used my hands to eat to fit in with locals.
