January 12
Drive From Sigirya to
Kandy ~
Searching for Health
and Youth through Medicinal Tonics and Oils
Mongoose |
Also on this day we learn that the Holy Father Pope Frances has arrived in Colombo. Karu our guide is very excited about this
and thinks it will be good for Sri Lanka. The front pages of the newspapers
have photos of Pope Francis amid a gathering of anywhere from 400,000 to a million. He canonizes Joseph Vaz, Sri Lanka's first Saint.
Local Weekly Market
The drive
through the tropical forest is scenic passing by small villages and many rice
fields. We stop at a local weekly market
which sells everything from clothing to kitchen items to fresh and salted fish
and many kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Everywhere vendors are yelling out “cheapest prices here” in
Sinhala. People seem pleased to have
their pictures taken and greet us with smiles, curiosity and interest.
There are no hawkers attempting to sell us
things nor do we see beggars. This
friendly open atmosphere seems in sharp contrast to other markets we have
visited such as in Burma, Oman, and India where people were less friendly,
often didn’t like to have their pictures taken and we encountered more beggars. For this reason Steve calls Sri Lanka ~ "India Light." I continue to be struck by the
peacefulness, authenticity and kind tolerance of these people.
Special cacoa drink to relax us |
Inside Cocao Nut |
This impression was somewhat dispelled when we stopped at
the Ayurvedic Village for what we thought was going to be informative and
educational tour of spice plants. Instead it was a 2-hour tour advertisement of
medicinal potions with a guide/salesperson. He tells us how a tonic made of
cocoa plus tea and bananas will relax us and reduce our stress. He demonstrates how a cream of turmeric, coco butter and avocado will permanently remove hair by putting some on my arm as well as Steve's arm.
Steve's arm before |
I am intrigued to learn that 3 months of a special sandalwood oil combined
with vitamin A,D & E has a 100% guarantee of getting rid of wrinkles and
dark spots ~ maybe I should try this? The guide demonstrates to Marie how a sandalwood cream will make her skin look less wrinkled.
Or better yet, he says if I use the King Coconut Oil on my hair it will make it thick, long and black like the gorgeous Sri Lankan ladies. This is tempting me!
Comparing both arms |
Or better yet, he says if I use the King Coconut Oil on my hair it will make it thick, long and black like the gorgeous Sri Lankan ladies. This is tempting me!
I will have hair like this! |
John and Steve wander off as the guide explains that 3 bottles of a drink of pineapple, lime, citron and lemon will reduce weight in 45 days and how 2 tablespoons of a herbal syrup will reduce our blood pressure. He has potions, oils, syrups, creams, balms and tonics that he claims will cure diabetes, heart disease, stomach disorders, tooth decay, varicose veins and asthma. I am particularly interested in a ginger syrup for stopping snoring and thought I should buy this for John. The guide promises a money back guarantee if any of the syrups or potions don’t work and tells us we can contact him via email. Marie asks what is in the herbal diabetes tablets which are to be taken twice a day for 3 months. The guide replies, “lots of herbs” but when pressed by Marie he can’t name the precise herbs.
Steve checks out the smell |
As expected at the end of the tour we arrive at a store
selling all these products. Marie and I
thought the experience was hilarious, while Steve didn’t like the sales pitch
and John was unhappy with the lack of science behind the claims.
The best thing about the tour was the massage at the end which we all found relaxing.
The best thing about the tour was the massage at the end which we all found relaxing.
Leg and foot massages |
Masseuse |
However, despite the special oils used it did not make us look younger, although Steve and I had no hair on our arm.
After |
John wants to bring this elephant home |
Arriving in Kandy the traffic is as bad or worse than Seattle and incredibly slow partially due to the children getting out of school and being picked up by vans and buses.
The driving is dicey with tuck-tucks, lorry vans and trucks using the white road line flexibly. I’m glad we are not driving ourselves.
There is so much to view of Sri Lankan life.
Buddhist Nuns waiting for bus |
The driving is dicey with tuck-tucks, lorry vans and trucks using the white road line flexibly. I’m glad we are not driving ourselves.
There is so much to view of Sri Lankan life.
At 4 pm we arrived at Amaarya
Sky Hotel perched above the city of Kandy.
We had large adjoining rooms
with wonderful views of the hills surrounding the city set in a mist which I
hope isn’t pollution. We had wine on our
balcony as the sun set followed by dinner on the hotel deck. We were the only
dinner guests but thoroughly enjoyed our discussions and reflections of
different cultures, religions and travel. The climate is cooler and relaxed.
Our Kandy Hotel |
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