Green pods

Two mango trees stand in my front garden. They rise to the height of the neighbouring palms. I wait below watching the green pods grow. Somehow they withstand the intense dry heat. They’ll be ripe in a month.

Monkeys raid the trees in the morning. They evade the street dog patrol by flanking the palm leaves on the property’s perimeter. They eat the unripe mangos I can’t reach.

It’s two months of living in Sri Lanka. Things are familiarising. I’m no longer getting lost on drives. My basic sinhalese receives a reaction from locals. Small wins on a journey of landing and orientating.

The two months have had challenges. Tests to see if I’m cut out for this. Can I ride the speed bumps? See them as a chance to slow down and notice what they’re telling me.

Behind closed doors are people waiting to open them

My first weeks were filled with scooter problems. The battery flattened whenever it wasn’t accelerating. I had a leg workout kickstarting the scooter.

Within minutes of me struggling, a local, sometimes five people, helped me. Mechanics stayed open past closing time to try to solve it. Others drove me home from my stranded spot.

It’s showing me how people are with you. Sometimes it needs a knock on the door for someone to help.

Surrender

On the back of motos I’m gripping the bike less.

If I fall, I fall.

Holding onto a toppling bike won’t help.

I relax and trust where it will take me.

The swells are big.

Rips drag me out.

I float.

They carry me.

I dive below the waves.

Beneath the surface the sets aren’t as intense.

A current calmly guides.

The waves are gentle murmurs from the ocean floor.

Everything is visible here, yet the vastness of the water dominates.

I come up for air.

I meet the waves.

I can’t stop them, so I’m learning to surf (Jon Kabat-Zinn).

Off-season

Consistent work is yet to come. Photography is cutting costs, holding me in the high season. Low yoga opportunities are giving me a chance to deepen my studies.

Everything is beginning to close for the off-season. I’m staying still and seeing what the quiet months will show me. It’s already asking me questions of my future and place on this island.

I sit below the mango tree waiting for their season to come. These green pods may grow. Battle the elements to ripen into something beautiful for its ecosystem.

I’ll be here when they drop.