Foreigner? Me?
Alright, let’s just put it out there—after two and a half months in this idyllic little Sri Lankan town, I’ve decided to unofficially crown myself a local. Okay, maybe not native local, but I’m making progress! I’ve started running fashionably late to everything (is it even a meeting if you’re not 15 minutes behind?), driving like a pro on these chaotic roads, and embracing the art of leaping out of buses that seem allergic to fully stopping.
Oh, and eating with my right hand? Absolutely. Calling everyone Amma (Mom) or Tata (Dad) in Sinhala? Nailed it. But let’s not kid ourselves; I’m still a wide-eyed foreigner fumbling my way through this beautiful chaos, and that’s part of the fun.
A Warm Welcome: Feeling Like Family
The truth is, I’m not quite there yet, but there’s something magical about the way the Sri Lankan people welcome you. It doesn’t matter if you’re from next door or halfway across the world—they’ll treat you like family. Mothers here have a superpower of cooking up a storm for you, fathers have this protective “don’t-mess-with-my-guest” vibe, and the kids? Well, they’ve adopted me as their honorary sibling.
It’s that kind of warmth that makes me forget I’m an outsider and leaves me wondering if I should just stay forever.
Sri Lankan Dating Culture: A Masterclass in Secrecy
Let’s dive into something juicy—Sri Lankan dating culture. Oh boy, where do I begin? Picture this: no dating until you’ve got explicit permission from your parents (Mom). No phones when you’re young, so your poor friends are roped into playing postman, delivering secret love notes back and forth.
As you get older, dating is still a covert mission. Couples carefully choose meet-up spots far from family connections because gossip travels at lightning speed here. And when the secret’s out? You’re expected to meet every family member your partner has ever known—parents, uncles, aunties, their kids, the neighborhood aunty-next-door, and their dog.
Recently, I was invited to one of these family-meets-family events. It’s like the Sri Lankan version of "Meet the Parents," except it’s more like "Meet the Entire Town." The vibe was electric—everyone nervous, excited, and on edge. And even though I barely knew anyone, I found myself caught up in the whirlwind of emotions. Absurd? A little. But also a whole lot of fun.
Saree Shenanigans: Preschool Exhibition Edition
Let’s talk about my grand saree debut. For months, we’d been crafting and drawing with the preschoolers, preparing for a big exhibition. Naturally, this called for a little glam, so I was asked to wear a saree. Spoiler alert: I had no idea how to put it on.
Picture me, half-draped in fabric, running semi-naked to the neighbor’s house for help. After 20 minutes of laughing, twisting, and pinning, we managed to get it right, and off I went to the event. Walking into the preschool was hilarious—the kids were shook. They stared at me like I was a glamorous alien from outer space.
The exhibition itself was a hit. Important directors came, parents beamed with pride, and the kids? They couldn’t stop giggling every time they saw me swishing around in my saree.
Rainy Adventures & Driving Like a Local
Recently, I met up with a Swiss friend in Weligama. On our way to Pirate Beach, we were ambushed by a torrential downpour. So, naturally, we took shelter in a local’s house and ended up playing a hilariously awkward game called “Reasons to Divorce.” As one does.
But the real highlight? My first time driving in Sri Lanka. Let me tell you, it was an experience. My Tata Sahan held on for dear life while I navigated the roads like a wannabe rally driver. In the end, I let him take over when it got tricky. Baby steps, okay?
Teaching Young Monks: A Unique Experience
Last Friday, I gave my first English lesson to a group of young monks in a jungle village about an hour from Akuressa. Going in blind, I had no idea what to expect. Fun fact: monks aren’t allowed to sit next to girls, or clap, which made icebreakers like "Simon Says" an interesting challenge.
With some encouragement (and Sahan explaining that they could participate), the boys gradually warmed up. We ended up playing vocabulary games, describing animals, and laughing a lot. My goal was to leave them with a smile and some motivation to learn English, and I think we managed just that.
Baking & Cooking Adventures: A Taste of Home
As Christmas creeps closer, I’ve rediscovered my love for baking—and the locals are all in. From chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls to Bakla and brownies, I’ve been whipping up a storm in the kitchen.
Sahan even wanted to learn how to make one of my favorite curries, Riz Gazi Mir. It didn’t look exactly like it does back in Switzerland, but it tasted divine. And honestly, isn’t that what cooking is all about?
Final Thoughts
So here I am, two and a half months in, feeling like a semi-local and loving every minute of it. Sure, I still have my awkward moments (hello, saree disaster), but every experience—whether it’s teaching young monks, baking with friends, or navigating the chaos of Sri Lankan roads—makes me fall a little more in love with this place.
And since the Advent season kicks off tomorrow, I’ve created something special to share the joy: an interactive Advent calendar! Each day comes with a little activity for you to try, and I’d love to hear from you along the way. Drop me a message now and then—it’ll make my day. Who’s ready to get festive with me?
By the time I leave, maybe I’ll actually be a real local. Or at least drive like one. 😉
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