by Sezgin | Jan 11, 2015 | SeedsonWheels |
Our adventure in the small island country called Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka started in Colombo on 11th of December. We realized, just when we were in the airport, Sri Lanka is far different from its neighbor India. Streets are clean, there is no odor, asphalt is nice, and pedestrians have priority… People are conscious about not to litter, but in picnic places the situation is still bad. Because of that, it is prohibited to enter natural protection areas with plastic bottles and packs. In Sri Lanka, the level of literacy and education is high and almost everybody speaks very good English. There are three languages on all signs: Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Sri Lanka is in the peace (!) period after the guerilla struggle in the northern region of the country, where is inhabited by mostly Tamils, and after a long lasting civil war which was ended by a slaughter that can be considered as a genocide. Permission from the Ministry of Defense is needed to visit the Northern Province as a tourist. Still, there is something hidden from journalists and human rihgts observers. Tension is going on in the political area as we felt. The speech of everybody was tense the day we left, the eve of general elections. Gothama Buddha, Bob Marley and Che Guevara… Three important people who meet in Sri Lanka. Majority of Sri Lanka is Buddhist. Buddhist monks in orange clothing, small and big Buddhist temples, huge Buddha statues and tiny Buddha souvenirs are everywhere around. Foreigners who visit Sri Lanka for meditation form an important part of tourists. The general tolerance...
by Ebru | Jul 15, 2014 | SeedsonWheels |
We arrive Marmariç after a long climbing, passing near old houses whose walls stands still. We will be there to get Permaculture Design Course and to take place in the kitchen and in the construction of buildings using earth and stone. Different people coming from different places and different lives… All of them have a different story but similar dreams. Those who are trying escape from where civilization trapped. Marmariç is a village in where approximately fifteen people living and with volunteers population is rising. One of the places where seeds of a livable planet spread. We take classes from the process of nature with Mustafa. About everything from a rain drop that didn’t fall on the ground to a leaf that goes in soil, about the patterns of nature and designs of life. The curiosity and uneasiness of the first time passes quickly. Like we were always here and we used to know each other always; since the time when the universe began to expand and stars began shining. Since when the earth has emerged and the life began. Everybody is like learning everything again and for the first time. We examine meanings of words and language, like we live the childhood of our lives again. We understand nature like kids trying to understand it freely. We are like listening to sounds, not words. Every short break after classes is spent by trying to calm the density of our minds. By asking the questions that we haven’t asked for a long time. We walk in gardens in which abundance of forest...