Thursday, October 6, 2011

Sinhala New Year: Of Firecrackers And Fireflies

... Drumbeats too.

My husband and I strike without plans. When we arrived at Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake last April, we had no idea that the country was celebrating Sinhala New Year. We only found out when a cab driver told us that there were no public buses in service for it was a holiday. It was a lie, of course.

Photo credit: Think Like Malinga

We were able to take the free shuttle to Katunayake's main terminal, where we boarded a bus to Kandy. We thankfully reached our Couchsurfing host's home effortlessly via hired tuktuk (which our host booked himself). And after a two-hour nap, with no intention of idling, we winged the bustling Temple of The Tooth.

At dusk, we headed back to the house, and found a group of locals playing bongo/djembe-like percussions and singing just across the road. It was beautiful, but we decided to just watch from afar. Well, more like listened than watched. Because we couldn't see a thing that starless eve.


I chased fireflies and danced to the beat of world music. And sprinted away from kids chucking fireworks at random bystanders. I'm not really into welcoming the new year with a bang, especially if that bang could possibly incapacitate me.

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11 comments:

Ed said...
October 8, 2011 at 7:55 PM

wow. whispers naririnig ko plus "I want Luna to see it..." na pafade-fade at eerie effect, then 'Bang'.

blairwitch na blairwitch! toinks mali ang interpretation! lol. saya siguro nung gabi nun :D

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 8, 2011 at 8:22 PM

Yeah Ed, some parts of the video's kinda creepy. Haha! And some are just uneventful. Sorry for the lousy editing guys, but I actually like clips raw :)

Kura said...
October 9, 2011 at 9:11 AM

I would have to agree with Ed, hahah! Medyo creepy nga at first.

I love fireflies too. Specially when they're in group. Ginagawa nilang Christmas tree ang mangroves. Kumukutitap. Galing nyo ni hubby tumiming sa event!

escape said...
October 9, 2011 at 12:28 PM

nice. reminded me so much of my new year experience in sagada. traditional gongs and some few fireworks.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 9, 2011 at 5:53 PM

Maricar, we got really lucky!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 9, 2011 at 5:53 PM

I think I remember that trip, Dong. Just last new year's eve right?

The Nomadic Pinoy said...
October 9, 2011 at 8:38 PM

haha! I'm not fond of exploding firecrackers too - that's why I always stay indoors during New Year's Eve in the Philippines. I still want my body parts intact :)
Nevertheless, I like the tempo of that music being played!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 10, 2011 at 7:40 AM

Hahaha! Firecrackers make events more lively, but they could harm the environment so I'm not totally into them either :)

Aussie on the Road said...
October 14, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Hehe, sounds like fun! I spent some of my time in Hainan, China dodging mis-aimed fireworks and it's not so much fun >_>

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
October 14, 2011 at 3:45 PM

Haha, Chris! Would have been fun to watch you dodge mis-aimed fireworks :))

Seair said...
October 14, 2011 at 5:42 PM

love the added video to your blog! :)

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