Keep Breathing and Feeling

 

And so as I finish my day in disappointment for not getting what I wanted and had felt I well deserved but in high spirits for the next day to come, Karma is with me from the moment I wake up. 

My SriLanka contact asking me to go have curry at his German friend’s place the next day, he will come pick me up as another contact through friendship offers me to come to his guest house inside the land of green tea plantations. After a long sleep I slowly move out of bed as Manike serves me coffee and fresh tropical fruits. I smile, I’m so happy when my first thought waking up belonged to the fruits they appeared right in front of my eye. My little boy laughing around me, taking a piece of watermelon. Slowly I get ready to do some energetic yoga which raises my spirits up even higher. This is going to be a good day. I can feel it in my bones. After washing off my sweat, I make my way through the jungle to the secret beach. The surrounding is unbelievably beautiful, such green richness of plants. I didn’t know the beach I was about to see would take my breath away. 

Like a movie scenery the white foam on top of the turquoise waves crashing on the shore, giving me shivers even in the blistering heat. The rock of the bay pointing into the crystal water covered by coconut palm trees looking like a holiday magazine cover. Excited I run around and dive into the refreshing water after I put my things under a palm tree. I feel free, happy again, this shall be today’s motive. Happiness.

After the refreshment I take a closer look around the shores, the vibe is calm, relaxed, I feel comfortable, thinking about asking someone for sunscreen. After three days uncovered it’s time to soothe my skin. A German couple sitting next to me, the perfect target. 

I ask them for their lotion, they hand it to me, we start talking, we vibe, a new friendship has started, I can feel it after only a few minutes. He hands me his fresh coconut to try, my kind of people, I laugh, I feel so grateful, synchronicity flowing through my system, I tell them they were my Karma, they said they know. Introducing me to the guys working on the beach having a party later that night we talk about all kinds of plans for the next days and how we can bring them together. I’m getting more and more excited. A perfect match. They give me their diving glasses to go get a closer look at the colorful fish swimming even in the low water. I feel like a child for her birthday, so much to explore, today with friends by my side to share it with. Happiness expanding throughout my heart into my body as the water slowly starts rising.

We’re moving around the shore to the bar where three fun, happy guys expect us, laughing introducing me, I got a new number and the personal invitation to come together later on that night. For the next hours we sit, drink, laugh, share our life stories, reassuring one another how rare it is to meet good people like that, empowering each other about who we are. I cannot believe my luck. “There are no coincidences“ she says. “If you didn’t come to the beach today, walking the streets we would have too because we were supposed to meet.” I feel the same. Sharing our excitement for the warmth of the SriLanka people, the curry and our heart connection, we start getting hungry. He pays. I’m grateful and impressed by so much empathy and care for an almost stranger. Already tipsy we hop into a Tuktuk, not believing that it can move through the narrow rocky alleys of the jungle. Freshening up we go to eat meeting our overtired bar friend. He brings us drinks. We go to the beach, he’s holding my hand, he’s been wanting to be near me when he first looked me into my eyes at the beach asking for my number. I can feel he’s lost. His kindness knows no limits.

We keep on connecting and drinking while he asks me many times if he can come to my hostel later. Maybe one too many.

We move to the bar dancing freely and crazy to the music that reminds us of old times. My friend grabs me by the hand, takes my shoes and walks me along the beach while he’s kissing me. I feel like in a Hollywood movie. A light breeze, a tropical night like all nights, the soft sand under the soles of my feet, this cute, sensitive man on my hand, holding me.

We climb up a rock rising out of the water, drunk and happy like kids. I wish to see that beauty during the day. I ask him how many women he brings up here per week as I’m laughing, sitting on top, I enjoy the moment and leave some time later as I feel my friend is better off being alone, recharging.

I go back tipsy finding my way home. No one is outside, it’s quite and I go to sleep, drunk and happy.

Waking up today I feel a bit tired but happy for a great day, an incredible night and my new encounters that touched my heart, give me all trust, hope and belief I needed.

Having my coffee, connecting to what has been yesterday, I go outside. Time to cover myself, get some clothes, food, no more hungry nights. I drink a fresh pineapple juice while I rob the next people of their sunscreen. Finishing off the shopping I go to exchange money with an ice cream in my hands. I walk up the stairs that I’ve already taken two days ago. Hearing my steps the mom sticks her head out the door. She smiles overly happy “Hey how are you? Sit. Sit. Sit. Here cookies, do you want coffee?” The daughter comes out smiling at me, sitting next to me on the couch. Her mom looks me into my eyes: “you’re such a wonderful person. So good, good heart and beautiful.” I’m so moved. She brings me coffee, cookies and crackers opening it all up for me. 

I made it for lunch time again. My money exchange connection is out. Waiting for him turns into something different. My visit becomes an intercultural exchange, a connection to a beautiful family sitting with me, we take pictures, exchange family matters and connect our different backgrounds. The daughter uses my phone truly excited. I tell her my friend gave it to me. She wants to see a picture, I show her. “He’s beautiful” she says. She wants to see my brother and parents, we’re looking at old photos, she posts a story with our faces. I’m laughing along with her. Her mom comes back, to me giving me a bracelet “Om” around my wrist. I’m speechless, so much kindness when all I was looking for was to exchange money. After inviting me back for curry I leave without having done what I came for promising to come back. I know now who to give my phone to as this beautiful girl wishes so much for one.

The beauty of people from the last days treating me like a diamond keeps me in awe looking at the huge waves in front of me, the sand between my toes, a fresh breeze around my shoulders looking forward to dinner with my Singhali friend having a delicious traditional curry. “Be happy and safe.” I read on my phone as I’m looking forward to whale watching. Life is good. No it’s one of the best. Truly.