Arrival in Negombo

We took a taxi from the airport in Colombo to Negombo. As if negotiating the taxi fare at the airport wasn't enough, I even confidently sat in the driver's seat of the taxi. The driver asked if it was okay for him to drive today. Merle and I, as well as the driver, started laughing. He did it in a funny shrill tone, which made us laugh even more. During the ride, he asked if he could take a selfie with us. I felt like a celebrity.

The first night in Negombo was somehow eerie. The taxi took us to a small street that was untouched by tourists. It was a fishing village, which was noticeable by the smell. We were the only guests in the run-down hostel, but we cheered ourselves up with the view of the sea and lots of cigarettes. However, a feeling of 'I want to go home' still crept in. Eventually, we gathered the courage to go outside in the evening and search for a restaurant. Every few meters, we were approached, looked at, or honked at. With quick pace, a bit tense but still with a wide smile on our faces, we walked through the streets with a slightly uneasy feeling. Finally, we found a restaurant and enjoyed delicious curry, savoring our first beer on Sri Lankan soil. It was the end of a long and exciting day.