Week Without Walls

On the last week of January some of classmates and friends from the lower grade and I went on the Week Without Walls trip, as you know from an earlier post on the WWW goals. Not all of the goals fulfilled, unfortunately, but it was still a really fun trip, where everyone enjoyed themselves, and become more aware of not only their host country (Sri Lanka), but everyone else on their trip and themselves (increased awareness).

Part of the eco-lodge we were staying in.

On the first day, we made our way to the eco-lodge, "Back-of-Beyond," ( http://www.backofbeyond.lk/locations/dehigahaela.php ), which is is very eco-friendly, as the huts and common lodge house were made out of mud and straw and all the food produce were self grown by the lodge, creating a very different and enjoyable atmosphere for all of us (issues of global importance). We received our WWW journals, a space where we could reflect on each our days, and identify and write down different plant and animal species we saw during the trip. Later that day we went down to the river/stream for a quick swim, so we could freshen up and experience the nature around us. Also we went on a night walk in a nature reserve, we we saw a variety of animals, such as deers, slender loris, and other animals, which added up to a good start to our journals (planned and initiated activites).

Us going for a swim in the river.

The second day, we mainly focused on learning and exploring more about Sri Lankan culture and its history, as we traveled to the ancient ruins of Ritugala, a beautiful place where nature and mankind bordered in the same place and explored the border between nature and mankind, as over the years much of nature incorporated itself to be a part of the statues and ruins, and it was a truly beautiful site to see. During this visit my friends and I also played a game, where the sand was 'lava' and where we couldn't touch the sand, making all the hiking much more entertaining and fun (collaborating with others).

Us outisde Ritugala

On the third day we headed up to Trincomalee, while traveling there we stopped at Medirigiriya, where we met the art 'Art on Wheels' WWW trip sketching a few Buddhist statues. The Medirigirya stop gave us an opportunity to observe Buddhist statues and ruins where we learned more about the religious background of Buddhism. After that we headed to Trincomalee, where we visited a Hindu Temple, which was located at the top of a cliff, and was relatively new. This opportunity really taught me about Hinduism as a religion, a religion I didn't know much about until now, especially about their beliefs and gods. For example: I learned that their leader of Gods (like Zeus), is their God of Destruction and the Universe; Shiva. Afterwards we were able to look around that area of Trinco a bit more, and purchase souvenirs and even climb trees, but unfortunately we were not able to carry out the service part of our trip: picking up trash across the streets, as we didn't have enough tiime in our schedule to fit it in. We headed down to the Chaaya Blu resort where we would spend the evening and night, and unfortunately we were not able to go to Pigeon Island and snorkel as it was the rough season for the sea, so it would have been dangerous.

Exploring the beach in Trinco.

Couple of my friends and I outside the Buddhist temple.

On the fourth day, was quite a bad day for some, as a couple of my friends from the group woke up sick and incapable of participating in activities, so therefore not everyone could carry out the activities we had planned to do, which was unfortunate. In the morning, after having breakfast our group headed down the beach for a nice walk and to explore a bit, but as we ventured further away from the resort, the beach became more and more filled with all types of thrash, from shoes, to pencil cases, to water bottles, it was quite unpleasant, which raised the concern of Sri Lanka's environmental issues, where our group discussed about the problems and possible solutions, and how it could be dealt with, and some excellent suggestions came up from almost everyone in the group (engaged in issues of global importance) (considering the ethical implications of our actions)! Later that day we headed down to the Sigirya eco-ledge which was owned by the same owners of 'Back of Beyond' so this eco lodge was just as environmentally friendly, but was stiill quite a different experience from the other one, as this one was set in the middle of the forest. Before we made it out to the eco lodge we visited an ancient Buddhist Temple, which was quite calm and peaceful and was a nice addition after all the activities we did early! During this visit we started to raise the concerns of ethical issues as some of us didn't know the rules when visiting a Buddhist Temple, and others were quite offended and, as a group we discussed how this could be avoided and how this is an issue in the modern world (considering the ethical implications of our actions). When we made it to the eco lodge, we had free time, so we could relax which was quite nice, most our group played cards together, making our group come together closer and really bond. Later that night, we headed out to a small open field just a few hundred metres outside of lodge, where we gazed at the stars and reflected upon our day and us as a group, where we really bonded a lot as everyone got to know more about everyone else, and lot more about the trip itself and us as a group (planned and initiated activities).

The view from the top of Swami Rock (this picture
is not doing it justice)!

The final day we headed out bright and early to Swami Rock, after breakfast, to climb it. Swami Rock was located next to Sigirya Rock, which is quite a popular Sri Lankan cultural spot among tourists and locals (Sigirya). It was a nice climb (developing new skills), as we past through the forest of an ancient monastery, where we got to see what the monastery were like back then and learn a bit about the history of Buddhism, so it was a peaceful and calm walk. At the halfway point we stopped at an ancient Buddha statue, where the Buddha was in his 'lying pose,' they were some signs located around the statues so we got read a bit more of Buddhism as a religion. Opposite to the Buddha statue was a breath-taking view, which as nothing compared what is was like when we reached the top. The top was surreal. Everything was so calm and peaceful, but yet exciting and breath-taking at the same time, and was definitely one of the highlights for me on this WWW.
Overall it was a excellent WWW, where, not only me, but everyone in our group definitely enjoyed themselves and had fun, while still learning about Sri Lanka's culture and Sri Lanka as a country and its religious background. Although we could not carry out the service side of our WWW, there definitely a lot of creativity and action, where, not only me, but many people in the group, undertook new challenges, collaborated with each other, and developed new skills, and I enjoyed all of it throughout the trip. It was definitely a good note to end my first and last WWW!

Some our group at the top of Swami Rock!