The big wait is finally over.... Winter Break is here! ❄️ 😎 🎿
Kiss goodbye to your exams and say hello to a few weeks of binge-watching your favorite shows, waking up at 11 am, and being as lazy as humanly possible.
Photo by: Alexia Nicole Diaconescu
My winter break consisted of catching on some much-needed sleep and exploring the South Asian nation called Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) with my dear family.
This was my first time visiting a predominantly Buddhist nation, and was so intrigued to learn about the picturesque sights, culture, values, and lifestyle of the Sri Lankan population.
My loved ones and I had the opportunity to book a tour that allowed us to visit 6 Sri Lankan cities. Ranging from coastal, to jungle, to mountainous cities, my family and I got to encounter phenomenons such as wild elephants making guest appearances, viewing the well-praised tea plantations, and visiting one of UNESCO's heritage sites.
**Note: All of the photos are formatted as collages, however, if you press on any photo, it expands.
📍Negombo ft. Dambulla, Sri Lanka
📍Sigyria, Sri Lanka
Culinary Tradition and Nutrition in 🇱🇰
The Jackfruit is an exotic fruit, "the largest tree fruit, reaching as much as 55 kg in weight, 90 cm in length, and 50 cm in diameter". (Wikipedia)
It has a spiky exterior, and sweet fruity flavor with a soft texture that is somewhat like a grape. Although I have only had the pleasure of trying this fruit in Sri Lanka, it holds a special place in my heart. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water 🤤
Vegans and vegetarians frequently opt for this fruit as a meat alternative because of its texture, which resembles shredded meat.
Jackfruit is one of the most commonly consumed foods in Sri Lanka since ancient times. It is a non-seasonal fruit and had a major contribution to the food supply of the people and their livestock when there were short supplies of staple food grains. Therefore, it is referred to as poor man's food (National Library of Medicine)
Health benefits of a jackfruit: (Healthline)
Vitamin C: Jackfruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, which may help prevent the inflammation that can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer
Carotenoids: Carotenoids have been shown to help lower inflammation and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Flavanones: Flavanones contain anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels — important factors in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease
One cup of sliced fruit provides the following nutrients:
Calories: 155
Carbs: 40 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 3 grams
For more information on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, check out: CNN
📍Kandy, Sri Lanka
📍Nuwara Eilya, Sri Lanka
Mindfulness and Meditation Practices in 🇱🇰
Sri Lanka’s meditation and mindfulness practices are steeped in its rich Buddhist culture and ancient spiritual traditions that have been passed down through generations and act as the base for many of the mental and spiritual practices of modern Sri Lanka. Meditation and mindfulness offer the benefits of improved mental and physical well-being, increased focus and concentration, increased self-awareness and clarity of thought, reduced stress levels, enhanced emotional intelligence, and fostered inner peace.(AnasaWellnessResort)
The Rathmalikanda Meditation Centre shares that there are two types of meditation used to concentrate and develop the mind:
SAMATHA or TRANQUILITY meditation trains the mind to concentrate on only one object.
VIPASSANA or INSIGHT meditation trains the mind to observe the many objects coming into awareness through the six sense doors in order to develop the wisdom to eradicate the defilements in the mind and be freed from suffering.
Although meditation and mindfulness are significant aspects of the Sri Lankan culture, in 2020, the suicide rate was 14.3 per 100,000, according to Sri Lanka Police data. The current alcohol use was 43.3% among males and 1.2% among females as shown by 2021 STEPS survey. Heroin and cannabis use were 0.6% and 1.6% for those over 14 years in 2019, almost all of them males (NDDCB, 2019)
It is probable that the overall mental well-being of the Sri Lankan population is severely impacted by the frequent natural hazards Sri Lanka is subject to: droughts, floods, landslides, cyclones, and coastal erosion. A rise in extreme events and natural disasters as a result of climate change is expected to pose a considerable threat to Sri Lanka's economy and human health. (World Bank)
However, a new mental health policy for 2020–2030 has been approved by the Cabinet (the council of ministers that forms the central government of Sri Lanka), mental health legislation is being amended, and district mental health review committees chaired by the regional directors of health services (the head of district-level health services) have been established in all 26 health districts. These committees are mandated to meet every three months (WHO) Hence, progressing Sri Lanka's mental health situation is on the World Health Organization's agenda, and hopefully, there will be a substantial reduction in the prevalence of mental health disorders in the near future.
📍Bentota, Sri Lanka
📍Colombo, Sri Lanka
Credits to Lapurka LLC for the image in the center
My Takeaways:
The Sri Lankan people value hospitality and this can be felt when interacting with tourists. My family and I were privileged enough to have a tour guide who has been supporting us along the entirety of our journey, and was kind enough to host my family and I for a "traditional Sri Lankan lunch" in his home. The meal was prepared as a group effort (which he cooked alongside his polite and friendly wife and daughter). My family and I appreciated this gesture as we were served only traditional dishes, which we didn't have the chance to try at the restaurants and hotels we stayed at during our excursion.
The agriculture sector thrives in Sri Lanka. My mother is from the iconic Maramureș, which is known for its farming, and she admired how fresh, beautiful, and chromatically vibrant the produce Sri Lankans were selling. This can explain the impressive life span of 76 years (World Bank)
There is a cultural shock for both parties when visiting Sri Lanka (the parties being tourists and locals). I will never forget the stares I received from the locals when my family and I went to a mall in Negombo, which is considered the most touristic city. I felt like a celebrity 😆 My mother (who is a ginger) and I were being waved to by so many people.
Due to the economic and political hardship Sri Lankans are currently facing, there are significant differences in the price tourists have to pay in comparison to locals, (and the prices for each "category" of individuals at the attractions are listed).
Familiarize your taste buds with extremely spicy food prior to visiting. As someone who comes from a family who enjoys eating curry, chili is the foundation for many of the dishes served there, and the local's notion of spicy does not correlate with that of the Western culture.
Sri Lanka is not a cheap destination to visit. According to my mother's calculations (which is a very reliable source, thank you very much), visiting the Maldives (which is geographically very close in proximity to Sri Lanka), the cost of the trip and all of the expenses would almost reach a state of equilibrium.
Overall, the Sri Lankan population is accepting of all religions. Negombo is known for having a Christian-predominant population, and contains a plethora of breathtaking churches such as: Saint Mary's Church:
Image uploaded by: Taru Villas.com
And with that, I hope you enjoyed the Photo Essay that has been in the works for quite some time! I had such a blast creating this, as it allowed me to reencounter one of my hobbies, photography
Please let me know in the comments down below if you enjoyed reading an article that pursues this style, and what your favorite city was based on the photos I published.
If you are inquisitive to see more of my Sri Lankan journey, I have a few Instagram reels that are officially out on @wholesomeblog.ro
Sending virtual hugs and lots of happiness your way! 🧸 🌻 🤪
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