Friday 27th April 2012 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

I woke up this morning with blood on my scarf and felt pretty rough. If I was at home there is no doubt I would have stayed on the sofa the whole day watching junk tv but Shana's parents had a painter and decorator coming to the house and I didn't want to inconvenience anyone by being there. I decided I would head up to Fort to have a look.  I checked my email before heading out and was happy to see that Upul from the meditation centre had replied to me advising me to go there on the 29th - two days time. He didn't give me a time though so I replied saying the 29th was fine but asked for an arrival time. In Fort, where Sri Lanka's world trade centre was (bit of an unfortunate name!), it was a different world completely. It was like Sri Lanka's equivalent to Canary Wharf and was so modern and chic. It was really difficult to comprehend that maybe 5km down the road there were cows walking on the streets. Although this was the life that I was used to in England I felt a bit out of place there today - people were dressed in suits, rushing about their busy lives talking on their mobile phones - it was a life that I didn't miss much to be honest and definitely a life that my mind frame didn't fit into - I was running maybe 100 times slower and was a lot more chilled out and peaceful.  I was there for maybe five minutes when the heavy rain started. To avoid it I headed into a shop called Odel. They sold all kinds of random things and clothing. I was just there to look around but the shop assistant was literally walking hand in hand with me. I took a step, he took a step. I picked something up or looked at something for longer than a second and he was telling me what it was. Rather than feeling angry and walking out feeling like some kind of thief, perhaps something I might do if I was back home, I engaged him into conversation about the different items. Eventually I just explained to him that what he was doing might cause offence to westerners. I said "it is no problem for me at all, but just be careful with other tourists because if you follow them around like you are doing with me then they might get angry because they think that you think they are a thief. It's not a problem for me though I just thought you should know so you can be aware". He was really sweet and just confirmed one more time that it was ok for me. Because I understood that he didn't mean anything by it and was just trying to be helpful, it was fine. He then said that he didn't think on the lines of theft at all and was surprised. He continued to walk around with me and held up ugly clothing asking if I liked, genuinely believing that the item was nice!! I joked with him and said that he should never buy anything remotely similar to that for his mum or girlfriend. I left to warm farewells and then went to find somewhere to eat so I could take my medication. I found this little cafe that did sandwiches and ordered salmon in a brown baguette. The place had wifi so I did a couple of bits and pieces on the internet and then got talking to the waiter. His name was Shiran. He looked about 21 and was the supervisor of the cafe. I asked him about places that were good to visit and he very sweetly asked some of his colleagues. He warned me about touts and hustlers that were at certain places and was just generally a sweet guy. He told me about beach parties that happen every week and about a big festival that is happening in Hikkadawu at the end of June. He then said that he finished in an hour and that if I wanted he could show me some places before going to his sister's house for his nieces birthday. I had nothing better to do and he seemed harmless so I thought ah, what the hell. We jumped in a tuk tuk and he asked for the driver to take us to this mall he had told me about. He tried to pay for the tuk tuk but i wouldn't let him, especially given that he was giving up his time to show me around. The mall was small but was decent. We walked around for maybe ten minutes and then got another tuk tuk to paradise lane. This place was a small boutique type shop selling lots of random household things. The next visit was passed the Independence Square, which we literally just drove passed. Then he took me to his friend's amazing milkshake place. It was this modern little place with a little tunnel entrance covered in notes from customers. Inside it was a really chic lounge, a great hangout spot, that sold loads of different milkshakes like Kinder Bueuno, Oreo, ferrerro Roche, kit kat etc. I was gutted because my chest infection meant that I shouldn't have any cold drinks but then the waiter - who was Shiran's good friend, showed me that they also do hot chocolate. I ordered the most delicious and sweet ferrerro Roche flavoured hot chocolate. Also in this lounge type place, there was a clear glass window that showed a shop selling all the different chocolate. I picked up two kinder eggs to buy - one for me and one for Shiran, but Shiran's friend said I could have them for free which was super nice. Also when it came to the bill he wouldn't take any money - Shiran told me that this guy never takes his money. He was a really cool friendly guy and told me that if I wanted to go to Adam's peak he has a friend that has a place there and if I wanted to stay there I should just let Shiran know. I love Sri lanka!!! Shiran and I got in a tuk tuk together - Shiran dropped me at Shana's place first and then stayed in and went to his sisters - he wouldn't let me pay and insisted that he covered this bill. We switched numbers and I agreed to get in contact when I got back from my meditation centre, which I was supposed to be heading to on the 29th, and he would show me some of these beach parties.  When I got back to the house Shana's mum asked me if I had eaten but I was still full from my hot chocolate and sandwich earlier so I just said yes. I then just went to bed.