by Finlay

Why Sri Lanka Beats Any Christmas Present, According to a 14-Year-Old

An open letter to my parents – Written by Finlay, age 14

Dear Mum and Dad,

Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful and wonderful countries we have ever been to, and I know you know that. However, I don’t think we have even touched the surface of what this amazing country has to offer.

Let’s start with Sri Lanka’s history, because it has a lot to offer. The impact Buddhism has had on this country is magnificent. Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka about 2,300 years ago, and to this day it remains a large part of the culture. There is also European influence, because Sri Lanka was once occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. This means Sri Lanka has a very diverse culture with much still to explore (all the more reason to go!)

Next, let’s talk about the food, because there is a lot to talk about. A lot of Sri Lankan cuisine is based around curry and rice because of its simplicity and availability. However, that’s not all. The coconut is also a key part of Sri Lankan cooking, and it comes in many forms: coconut milk, coconut oil, and coconut roti, which is a type of flatbread made with grated coconut. There are also so many incredible spices that explode the senses (in a good way, of course). Finally, there are Dutch and Portuguese influences in the cuisine because of the time Sri Lanka spent under their rule.

Now let’s talk about the people, whom we will be spending most of our time with. I can only say positive things. The warmth and hospitality that Sri Lankan people provide is frankly unmatched. You are greeted with friendly, welcoming smiles as soon as you arrive, the locals take pride in inviting tourists into their homes. English is widely spoken in urban areas, so if we plan on staying in cities, there is no need for translation.

Sri Lankan people love a good sing and dance, so we can have fun with the locals. They also care about respect, so here are a few things to keep in mind: the traditional greeting is “Ayubowan,” pronounced “ah-yoo-boh-wahn.” Modesty is valued, so when visiting religious sites (which I hope we do, as they seem wonderful), we should take off our shoes and cover our shoulders and knees. When giving or receiving anything, or when eating (which I know we love and will 100% do), we should always use our right hand, as using the left is considered unsanitary. Public displays of affection are discouraged due to conservative values, and finally, we should avoid touching people’s heads, as the head is seen as the most sacred part of the body.

Next, let’s talk about the nature, because the sheer amount of beauty packed into one landscape is remarkable. There are so many opportunities to explore it. For starters, you can go on walks through Uva Province, which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. We must beware of leeches, so we should bring leech socks (and do not wear shorts). During this walk you’ll come across one of the most beautiful views you will ever see at the Nine Arches Bridge.

We could also visit Yala National Park, which is one of the most famous parks in the country because of its high concentration of leopards (so we shouldn’t miss out). If that doesn’t appeal, we could go to Uda Walawe National Park instead, as it’s one of the best places in the world (not just Sri Lanka) to see elephants. And since I know we all love elephants, that would be perfect.