I sent this to Kosala, my old programmer and current tour guide. I still don't know what he has planned but I'm okay with whatever. I think the tentative plan is go down south today - see some beaches, enjoy the views. Then come back to the Colombo area, do some work, and then go all around up north. Its beautiful here. I got into the hotel around 1am.

Him and his family are from here and I'm expected to be a conservative traditional girl. That means NO cigarettes, NO alcohol, NO knees showing, NO sleeveless shirts. I guess I'll actually fulfill my New Years Resolution to quit smoking. If I have to go 9 days here without cigarettes, it's not like I'm going to start again when I get back. So worth it though to get a real look at Sri Lanka and live like they live. I loved Bangkok and some of the areas that we wandered into, but the one tour we did was so white and English speaking and cameras clicking that it made me cringe.

The election was yesterday. Lot's of noise, fireworks, cheering, people running around the streets right now. The area we are in is for the opposition party so its more joyous than murderous. We'll see how it goes as we get up north. All of our plans are super tentative based on whatever political situations may arise. So far it seems to be going okay.

Cheers!