Borderlands, Kithulgala
We started the day with rafting down the river to the camp.
….after attentively listening to the safety protocols. We then went canyoning where we were tested in our ability to jump off small waterfalls. Mentally tested. And we also slid around a bit. Thus transforming me, beautifully illustrated in the sketch below (and a picture to compare):
On the second day we hiked to the cave and had 5 minutes of silence which was beautiful. Then we spoke to the cave owner about the history of the cave and Mr Lockwood observed a little area on the side that supposedly was used for cooking. At the cave we created a miniature cave on a large rock using small stones on top of it, as well as decorating it with small flowers and plants. We also sketched maps of the route to the cave, showing how great our skills at sense perception, memory and drawing were. However, I didn’t go abseiling, which as predicted, I now regret. In my defence, it had started raining very hard and the water level increased dramatically, multiplying my initial fear, especially since water falling in my eyes could lead me to slipping and falling, and then realizing that I still have to continue to climb down the waterfall.
On the third day, my group went to speak to the catamaran boat owner as well as the guy who ferries people in the catamaran from one side of the river to the other. I recorded the environment as I can understand Sinhala pretty well, but don’t have the skills necessary to translate. We gained a lot of insight into how the community functions and the recent problems they faced regarding the ferry and its ownership. The boat owner seemed very enthusiastic to speak with us, but the actual ferry guide was preoccupied with the people who were waiting on the other side of the river and was quite contained, perhaps because he didn’t want to get in trouble with his boss, whom we suspect does not pay him as much as he told us he does (the maths doesn’t add up).
However we did learn that both of them really care about their community and its welfare and economic development despite any personal financial difficulty they may face (especially with the building of a new dam) and that they hope for the betterment of the future generations over themselves.
Overall it was a very productive trip with my limits tested (the hike up to the waterfall). I also gained many skills such as leadership and teamwork as well as gained a lot more friends. Hopefully next time i’m faced with a situation where I have to overcome gouts of fear, I will persevere and accomplish that challenge. We also learned a lot about the communities there through the oral histories of the land.
All pictures courtesy of Mr. Lockwood 🙂
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