a portrait of Pushpa

Pushpa greeted me when I arrived at my guesthouse in Kandy. I rented the entire home that sleeps 8 for around $40 per night. The owners live in Australia, so Pushpa is employed to look after the home and assist Airbnb guests. She is happy to do the shopping at a local market and come by to prepare meals for a very modest fee.

For some reason we bonded very quickly, and I feel I have found a kindred spirit. When she learned of my love for cooking different cuisines, she welcomed me into the simplest of kitchens to watch and learn. The food resembles south Indian in style, but she taught me some techniques and twists on food combination and preparation which make it distinctly Sri Lankan. I was impressed that she roasts and grinds and concocts her own spice combinations-- rich and glorious and heady. Some is coming home with me as a gift from her. Our first seven-dish feast was topped off with watching her favorite Bolly-soap opera together, sated and reclining, her hands tucked into the top of her sarong like Al Bundy. She was really into this show and gave me the play by play.

There were some potato sacks strewn out to help us
navigate the burning concrete with our bare feet.

 Getting to know her this week has provided me with a deeper insight into Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan life, particularly for women, and even more so for single women like her having raised a child on her own. She opened her heart and spirit and shared her life trials and joys in caring for others. 

She asked to join me on some of my outings which was a real joy.
I was touched by her openness to teach me some aspects of Hindu religion.  I know that trees are sacred and integral to Hindu religion (usually banyan and neem trees) but I was truly inspired by Pushpa's explanation of what she gains from her interaction with the special trees. Here she is telling the tree of her woes, the woes are poured out from a small vessel of sacred water she is holding. That water is absorbed into the roots, and the tree will offer her wisdom, protection and healing by processing this prayer-filled water for her up and out through the leaves. Though limited in our ability to communicate, this message was very clear to me.

Pushpa made me laugh, as she reminded me of my mom... a lady came by our tuk-tuk selling special lotto tickets like a 50/50. She does not miss a chance to buy one!

Pushpa was pleased to join me on a visit to an elephant rescue.
She had never been before and was equally as excited and in awe as I was.

 

Pushpa took my portrait with our driver, Nimal. Nimal came highly recommended from my house owner, and for good reason. He is gentle, kind and very knowledgeable about the area.  He also charges much less than the going rate in these parts. He and Pushpa have come to know each other quite well over the years, likely due to exchanges with guests like me. I only call on him now.

Pushpa has truly shaped and informed a most unique little vignette of time I have had here in Sri Lanka... a place that has recently come through a lot of struggle, a place with deep and fascinating history... a place filled with interesting people and the most lush flora and fauna I have experienced yet.    I am thankful and changed a little.