Sri Lanka bound

Much has happened since I last wrote. I left Cambodia a bit prematurely, not giving it a completely fair shot, but I did not enjoy it as much as other countries I've visited. I ran back to Thailand, and after a few days of debating between the southern Thai islands, India, and anything else, I spontaneously bought a plane ticket to Sri Lanka! I spent two nights on Koh San Road, a notorious tourist destination in Bangkok, and had a blast drinking with new friends from argentina and Mexico. But I can only take so much of the party scene and I moved back to my favorite (quiet) BK hostel, WE Bangkok. This is my third stay here, and I have to say I love it. My feelings towards Bangkok have had a remarkable transformation. The first time I despised it, but I have grown to love the craziness of the city. It is infectious. There is just always something to do here, you could live her for a year and still not know the entire city. Arriving from any developing countries (compared to Cambodia and Myanmar), Bangkok is heavenly. Everything is convienent. So I've been happy to come back, but I am also happy that this will be my last stay here. (besides the final night of my trip before the flight home...just can't seem to stay away). All in all, I will have been here 6 times. It is a hub. Four of those visits will have been unavoidable due to the airport (In and out of Myanmar, in and out of Sri Lanka). Sri Lanka? Some might ask? It was a semi random decision. I was craving an atmosphere different than SE Asia. Looking at flights for the phillipenes and Sri Lanka, it was actually cheaper to go there. And that made up my mind! It is a very small island off the coast of eastern India. It was colonized by the English at the same time as India, and has an acclectic mix of Indian, arab, and European culture. The country has a population of 21 million and is mostly Buddhist, followed by Hindu. The literacy rate is very high: 91% and the life expectancy is 75 years. They export clothing, tea, rubber and coconuts - in that order. Many people speak English and the currency is the rupee. The island is only seven degrees above the equator which will be the closest to the equator I have ever been! Like much of Asia there are two seasons: wet and dry, but the island is divided in half. The southwest side has monsoon season now, but the east and north are dry and sunny. I'm headed for the east coast to relax on some undeveloped beaches. Planning on stopping in the mountains in the middle to see the beautiful views.  Sri Lanka has a big population of wild animals, including elephants, jaguars, monkies, and exotic birds galore. There are many outdoor opportunities here but I will have to evaluate them when I arrive. Their coral reef has been almost completely destroyed recently, and I'd only like to support companies that leave a minuscule footprint. plus since I'm at the end of my trip I'm really excited to find a few nice places and relax. I'm not anxious to bop around and see all the sights like usual. In the news, Sri Lanka ended a civil war between the north and the government in 2009. There is a tiny area up north where tourists cannot go but it is very safe everywhere else and attacks on tourists are quite rare. In 2011 they were hit by a devastating tsunami, and to be honest I do not know how damaging it was or how the country has recovered.  It is really exciting because until last night I essentially knew nothing about this country. Everything I just recited is from the guide book I bought today and what I've read online within the last twelve hours. But specifics about the culture are a mystery I can't wait to solve! I'll have fifteen days there before coming home. I'm so curious if I will meet other backpackers, what the food will be like, how the people dress, and how it feels compared to SE Asia.  I love going to malls internationally because of how telling they are about cultures. Bangkoks MBK, for instance, is a massive seven story building that has everything you could ever need. Including a bowling ally, movie theatre, clothing, optometry, pharmacy, and every American food chain that exists. Except in-n-out. But it shows Thailands contemporary culture and economic boom. At the beginning of movies here they play a five minute montage about the kings life and everyone has to stand up during it to pay their respects. The people here love the king. His face is on billboards all over town. Unfortunately he is quite old and recently ill, and his son is not very popular. It will be interesting when the power is passed down the lineage. I leave for Colombo, Sri Lanka the day after tomorrow in the morning. My flight is at 7am which is nice because I'll arrive early, but the airport rail link doesn't open until 6 which is not enough time. To avoid having to pay for my hostel and a taxi I am going to spend the night at the airport. It will be terrible but save me about 800 baht, roughly 27$.  Once I get to the airport in Colombo I am going to take a train to downtown, about 30 rupees, and then take another train through the mountains to a town called Kandy. The Internet is amazing, especially travel forums. All this information is online, and the specific outline of how to leave the airport and how much it should cost is incredibly helpful. People advise to say it is not your first visit because people will automatically double the price. Bargaining is everywhere which is awesome because I love haggling. This will be the first country on this trip where you tip also, a new change. I'll have to use the ATM at the airport to have rupee, because unlike everywhere else the dollar is definitely not accepted. Colombo is definiteely worth a visit but I will save that for the other side of the journey. Being in Bangkok now gives me no real urge for a metropolitan city. I'll save it for the end. That's all I know. I'll be home on June 21 which is absolutely insane. I've learned that the world is much smaller than I ever suspected. I've run into the same people in multiple places, all completely random. I Have been able to see the faces of friends and family on the computer, and keep up with news, and buy a ticket to a random island in the indian ocean and two days later actually set foot there, on the other side of the world.  A young Cambodian girl asking for money questioned me when I said I had nothing. "why you have this?" pointing to my earrings. "why you have this bracelet, these clothes, the headband. Why you say you have nothing when you have all these things?" I didn't have an answer. I stood there dumbly and she walked away, interpreting my stillness as rejection. I didn't stop her, people advise not to give to beggars because it feeds the cycle, but I regret not giving her an answer. I don't know why I have these things and she doesn't. Luck of the draw. There is no validity in any reason because it's all random. The gift of simply being an American, wow, it is insane how good we have it. Life is good. With food, water, medicine and school. Big emphasis on school. It's amazing to see the kids here who can't study past eighth grade because they have to work and think about all the American college kids who flunk out of school binge drinking and flirting. The world is a fascinating place and human dynamics will never stop intruiguing me.