I can't even imagine "peace that's almost unbearable", not to mention cops shaking your hand and welcoming you to their country. I flew to Denver to visit my daughter and parked in a perfectly good spot…other than the fact that there was a small sign that said "Street Sweeping on Tuesdays10am-11am" that I didn't see. So I took my ticket to the court and told the woman that I was an out-of-towner it was my first time to visit Denver, didn't see the small sign, was parked only 10minutes, and left before the street sweeper came. Her immediate reply was, "That'll be $50". I said, "Thank you for the nice welcome to your city". That year, Denver made 30.5 million dollars in parking ticket revenue. Up 53% since 2 years previously.
You are brave Lara, I'd be afraid of being in contempt of court. I am too law abiding, my worst offense is speeding and I'm trying to go slower but if I do I have a whole line of cars on my tail. Average speed is around 80 on Hwy 99. I did get a huge speeding ticket a few years ago.
This wasn't the judge I was talking to. You're right Chrissy, a judge wouldn't have taken that lightly. I think it was just the person who just takes payments at the courthouse, like a cashier. If it had been a judge I never would have said that I could have set up a court date and talked to a District Attorney but that wouldn't be worth the trouble and may not have worked in my favor anyway
Well regarding peace I guess I am a bit weird Lara, Chrissy keeps telling me that, so it must be true Sorry to hear about your welcome to Denver ticket, the UK is the same, a small fortune is made from parking tickets and speed cameras etc. You seem to be able to park any which way here, but the traffic jams in Kandy are crazy, the main road into town from here is like a car park at times. It takes 30 minutes to go the 2 miles to the centre.
We had a good time today though it was a long one in the end. Spent a few hours walking around the botanical gardens this morning, and after lunch went to see the Kandy Dance a traditional dance show which was very good. Afterwards we went to the nearby Buddhist temple to see the tooth ceremony, one of Buddha's teeth was gifted to Sri Lanka in ancient times and eventually ended up here in Kandy. Will post some pics later. We finally got home in a Tuk Tuk who negotiated the massive traffic jam by using pavements and slipping through impossible gaps between buses and cars. Yesterday we avoided a long jam when our Tuk Tuk driver tagged on behind a passing ambulance, very resourceful.
Yes it's a bit hair raising but I actually enjoy the thrill of the ride, one of the last ones left to me PS in all my trips to India and other Asian countries I have never seen or heard of a Tuk Tuk accident, (though they must happen of course) but have seen many motorcycle ones.
Tirana is the worst place I've seen for parking on pavements. In some streets, it's impossible to do anything other than to walk in the road because there's simply no pavement left to walk on.
Well our host exceeded himself yesterday, after I casually mentioned I liked dark beers, he went and tracked down some locally brewed stout, which we drank for lunch and at his 8 year old son's birthday party: The Stout is excellent with the depth of a good porter and at 8.8% has a kick, they are getting into micro breweries here so things may improve on the choice soon. The party to which we were invited went well, this is before it really got going
It's surprising how many dark beers there are around the world, though one sometimes has to hunt for them. I remember traipsing round Addis Ababa during my last couple of days in Ethiopia, looking for Hakim Stout. I tracked some down in a hotel. It's more of a brown ale than a stout, but a pleasant change from the largely identikit lagers in that region.
It's our last night in Kandy and the owner Mahesh went with me to the railway station here to help book our tickets to the next place where we are staying, which is in Unawatuna, a town near the sea, so Lisa can go swimming for a few days, while I laze about somewhere close by. Its a 7 hour train journey on two trains but only costs $10 for both trains so a cheap form of travel. On the way back from the station we hopped on a bus literally, as it was completely full we hung on the outside and had an exciting ride back. We got off just before the place we were staying and bought some fish and vegetables which Achini made into a delicious fish curry for lunch today. Buying the fish Choosing the Veg The amazing fish curry
I love how they buy everything fresh the same day they use it. I think France is like that too. We do in this country too but not consistently. Most of us make use of the freezer and fridge. I also like the simplicity of their home. That's my goal…purge all the unnecessary knick knacks and things, and only have what I need or have sentimental attachment to. Great pics Terry.
Terry, I have just read every post in your thread, and am glad I found it! What a breathtaking adventure, for you and Lisa! All I can add is Tuk Tuk, looks like fun! Thanks for all your wonderful pictures! Here's a cup for you, to remember your rock climb!
When you and Lisa visit a place, you really get the total experience. Even join in a child's birthday celebration....all very cool!