The Sri Lankan people are some of the nicest on the planet until it comes to transportation. Road rage would be a modest way to describe what happens. Near misses are common and I have taken to use my walking stick to let tuk tuks know they were too close.
Apparently seats are very important on the trains. Upon arrival at Galle I was getting my bag from the overhead when a 30ish woman manhandled me away from the seat so she could sit there. Now, this is the same person who would be helpful at the grocery store but on the train anything goes. I might have made a “suggestion” to her.
The one exception to the transportation insanity has been our tuk tuk driver. Kind, helpful and courteous. A Sri Lankan anomaly in our experience. Unfortunately, his wife and a group of Tangalle workers were on a bus that plunged 1,000 feet down a hillside and she was one of those not to survive. We were given the privilege to go to his home for a viewing and to pay respects. A true honor.
Traveling isn’t always easy.
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