I was recently invited to Sri Lanka for a close friend's wedding.
My motto is "never turn down an opportunity of a lifetime to experience a new culture" even if there have been bombings recently.
I had a second take on the situation when another friend of mine messaged me and said don't come, but eventually, I came to the conclusion that it was worth the risk.
When you're privileged to get an invite to a wedding in a different culture (Buddhist) you get a small insight of why certain things are done and you have interesting talks with locals.
I think the Buddhist culture is years ahead of ours and it shows in Sri Lanka from their genuine friendships and hospitality. Even their driving is a life lesson on courtesy - traffic lights are almost none existent and believe me there is traffic everywhere in Colombo.
Through my experience I am by far a richer person, not in the monetary sense, in genuine friendships made and experiencing a new culture, after all, that's what life's all about, isn't it? (Abridged)
Gavin Muir
Springfield
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