Going Solo

I had the perfect tour guides for the first two weeks of my trip to Sri Lanka, but i decided it was time for me to head out on my own. Ten minutes out of the front door and I'm confronted by a solider. I had seen them everywhere whilst in the car, but it feels so different when greeted face to face. Sri Lanka is still patrolled by the army to carry out random checks on vechiles. All Sri Lankan citizens have to carry an identity card, this aids the control of who is in the country and to follow their journey. We spoke for a while, and like many other Sri Lankans i had met, he was incredibly happy i had visited his country. He told of how the country was a better place since the end of the war, and his optimism for the future, something he, I'm sure, is to thank for.

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is unbelievably beautiful. and not in the typical sense. Though the photographs above show quite a 'perfect' image, the rest of he city is quite different. The two images above show two different buddhist temples. This illustrates the countries devotion to the religion. The country has very little, as i hope to show you soon, and yet, they find the money, materials and time to create such beautiful temples.

Whilst walking the streets of Colombo, I practiced the art from of 'hip photography' a term coined by the master, Andy Warhol. A technique of taking photos at random, from the position of the hip. The results were amazing, capturing the most delicate of scenarios, which i wouldn't have got had i thrust a huge camera at it. For instance, the most simple of activities such as buying fruit, all of a sudden gained an importance. A man sitting at the side of the street, thinking to himself, was no longer on his own, because i now share that moment in time with him. These photos show the real Colombo, the hustle and bustle of a rough and developing city.

After a successful solo trip to Colombo, i ventured further afield to visit the tea plantations. I travelled first class in a 1930's steam train to the center of the island, which, i was soon to discover is unlike any other part, especially the weather. I arrived in my shorts and vest to find, it was called 'little Britain' because of how cold and temperamental it is. I was freezing. Normally i would be requesting air con in the room, this time i needed thermal blankets. Anyway. Tea, is one of Sri Lanka's biggest exports and is perhaps one of the most beautiful things i have ever seen. Tea bushes run for miles to create patterns in the greenland. I managed to photograph some of pickers, Though they made sure i paid them for their 'services'. It certainly made me realise how much work goes into that 'cuppa'

In all the solo ventures were a success and a great 'practice' run for what was to come...