After the delicious spice laden lunch at the spice garden restaurant, we drove on even more to the town of Kandy and checked in to our hotel, which was on top of a hill. That itself may be a clue on the hotel's actual name.
Kandy is what I'd call a town, where there were more streets, shops and lots of vehicles on the road compared to Sigiriya. However, with our hotel being on the hill as it was, we didn't really feel like we were in a town. In fact, we were told to not open the windows because there were monkeys who would pay you unexpected visits. And they're always not the best behaved of guests.
The Cultural Dance
After getting our rooms at the far end of the hotel, we napped and then freshened up and headed out again to town. We had our first cultural experience of the visit here, at a cultural dance show held in a hall. I'm not a fan of dances (neither as a dancer myself, nor as a spectator), but I did think they gave a very good performance. The dance was a series of performances telling different stories of the lives of the people of Sri Lanka. I've misplaced the program paper (no surprise there) but even if it were in my hands, I think I'd spare you all (and myself) from dreary details. Instead, I'll share something my sister and I observed.
So, in the dance troupe, there was this really tall girl with an awesome midriff, washboard abs and all. We nicknamed her the 'hot girl' and there was also this guy who was tall. They both kind of stood out among the dancers, somehow and we noticed that they occasionally made eye contact with each other, like they both shared some interesting secret about something. I'd have love to have found out what it was.
 |
| 3 gloomy looking pictures because of my camera settings. They had very interesting costumes, though. |
 |
| This was one of the more interesting aspects of the dance where the dancer spins the plate on the pole and finally balances it on his forehead |
The dance ended about an hour after that and we all went out for the finale, where they walk on fire (or was it charcoal) It was crowded (tourist season in Sri Lanka apparently) and could be a prospective fire hazard if things got out of control. Good thing they didn't. Oh, and when it's all actually over, you're also expected to give some tips.
It does sound like those two dancers were sharing some kind of secret. Maybe because they were the best looking (or at least the most noticeable) they were the power couple. I think I'd be tempted to leave a window open to see a monkey.
ReplyDeleteWay too tempted.
Ha ha... Well, we could see them through the windows... they were cute.
DeleteExpected to give some tips? Umm swing your hips? lol..haven't watched dance at all, like ever, but I suppose as you say does show you the culture and such.
ReplyDeleteYep.. they suddenly came with collection boxes and shoved it at your face.
DeleteI'm not a big culture fan on holidays. I just want to get away from it all. I want countryside and open spaces.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, and neither am I. Unfortunately, they always slip in a cultural dance or two when you plan for a holiday using a guide or a tour.
DeleteMaybe it was 'check out my wardrobe malfunction'?. The dancing looks fun, we don't tend to have much English cultural stuff now, its all gone. So its nice to see it in other countries.
ReplyDeleteHa ha... That's a good one. It is sad when culture disappears, hope I do get to get see the Morris dance though.
DeleteI can't dance. Let's face it. But I certainly don't mind watching people giving a good show. Still don't understand why anyone would spin a plate on a pole and balance those on his head.
ReplyDeleteNeither can I. Well, the spinning of the plate on a pole actually got a real loud applause. Everyone was kinda impressed.
Deletelove the costumes
ReplyDeleteYeah, very colourful. Thanks for dropping by.
Delete