Day One in Sri Lanka

February 1, 2019

It was supposed to be an hour and a half walk to

The Sri Lanka Immigration Office.

It took us two and a half hours.

Rough sidewalks, traffic dodging, full sun,

No time to admire the cranes or cormorants.

I felt like fainting or throwing up

But I didn’t,.

It was my idea to walk.

Just when I think that I can’t go another step

I see a McDonalds across the street.

It took me seven weeks in India

Before I insisted that we go to McDonalds.

This is day one in Sri Lanka.

Finally we arrive at Immigration to extend our Visas.

The fourth floor is a white colossal space,

Fluorescent lighting,

Three and four person benches

In shiny silver.

Low white dividers shuffle people 

Through the ticket taking,

The photo taking,

Area B, area C,

The Shroff Counter, for receiving payment.

Hours pass.

I am recovered now from the hike here.

The rooms are filed with

Warm skinned, black haired applicants,

And the occasional light skinned German or English person.

I enjoy watching couples interact,

Babies,

The head shaved  Buddhist monks

With their bare shoulders and flowing orange robes. 

The back of a tall woman

With a blond ponytail

Who is wearing a long purple skirt

And carrying a purse and a huge backpack.

When she turns around,

She is a he.

An old gray haired worker,

In a too tight blue tee shirt,

And long black skirt,

Sweeps and scowls.

I catch her eye and manage to elicit a small smile.

Jim paces, his agitation radiating.

I scribble and sketch and try to find Buddha within.

After four and a half hours

We leave with our visa extensions!

We catch a tuk tuk

Back to the YWCA.

We giddily careen in traffic

Between busses, cars,  motorcycles,

And other tuk tuks.

We stop and pick up cold  beer,

Cashews, bread and cheese.

This is day one!