At 6:20 I hopped in a tuk tuk for the 10 minute ride to the Galle train station. This was probably the first time the roads were not packed with traffic of tuk tuks, dogs, buses, cows, or cars and was relatively quiet. We pulled up to the station which has two ticket booths just inside. I got in line for the first and second class tickets. A minute or so in line I felt one of the zippers on my backpack open and turned around quickly and then checked and an empty pocket on one of the sides was partially open. I heard later that day a man had his whole backpack stolen so definitely lucked out. I paid for a second class ticket – about 50 cents to take me the 40 minutes to Weligama.
I of course hopped on the train going in the wrong direction after asking 2 people who completely didn’t understand me so had to get off at the next stop. While waiting for the train I heard the song the two guys dance to on the video “How to Dance When You’re High on Life” – which is what I imagined as a Sri Lankan song from the house across the street. I hopped on the right train and sat next to an elderly man who asks me the basic questions like what my home country is, how long have I been here, and if I’m enjoying Sri Lanka. A few minutes later he leaves and another guy closer to my age sits down. He does so to the amusement of his friends and goes through the same questions as I catch his friend taking a pic of us out of the corner of my eye. 20 minutes later I get off at Weligama and catch a tuk tuk to the place I’m staying at. We Escape is called a Poshtel with a pool, AC, restaurant, and volleyball court. I paid about $15 for a night.
I had the driver wait as I checked in and then directed him to a café in Mirissa called Aloha Coffee Gallery. I had a peanut butter smoothie bowl which was awesome and then walked towards the beach.
Mirissa beaches are some of the best in Sri Lanka supposedly and were pretty nice – super clean and great little coves.
I caught a cab back to Weligama and then walked along the beach. At the start there are about 10 different surf camps and board rental spots. I rented a board from one of the guys for $1.60 for the hour. The water was so warm and the waves were decent. There were only about 20 people out and it was a really fun surf. I talked to the guys I rented the board from for a while, had some fresh lime juice, and then headed down the beach. I wanted to check out the place I was doing yoga at the next morning and bought some fresh mango on the way.
I met a girl at the shop who gave me a heads up on a cool job for a surf camp with an opening in September. I had a papaya/passionfruit juice before walking back along the beach to the surf camps.
As I was walking a fishing boat was coming in. They have motors on the back and maybe 8 men on board who when they hit sand all hop out, twist wood poles into the sides of the boat, and use them to push the boat ashore. Another surf camp worker started up a convo as I was passing and offered a chair in the shade which I took.
There was a guy sleeping in a chair who we woke up as we arrived. He is a chef from Portugal who was meeting his friend for a surf. They had just met at the train station and his friend is also a chef from Holland. We talked for a while until his friend came and they went for a surf. I caught a sunset surf – one of the best in a while except for the fact I had to use a soft top because the hard tops were all out. Not the best combo since the waves were pretty big and the board had no grip but I managed to stay on it for a few fun waves. I headed back to the poshtel to clean up before dinner and met a few girls in the dorm. One was working there for a few months so we exchanged details and talked to the other two girls a bit before meeting the two guys from the beach at a restaurant. We ordered chicken curry and rice which came out in maybe 5 different bowls of sides – a bit hot but very good and only $4. I headed back and passed out early.
I woke up just before 6 to walk to yoga. I ended up being the only one there and had a good hour sesh taught by a girl from Ireland. She was leaving soon but introduced me to her friend who worked at the store and would be there longer. I had breakfast at the café and then headed back up the beach for a quick surf. I then had a swim at the poshtel before checking out and heading back to Galle.
the nomadic nanny 