Surfing, Crying, Laughing, Loving.

This year has been a roller coaster of emotions, and I'm so grateful to say that Arugam Bay has blessed me with abundance in all sorts and shapes and sizes. I have laughed until I cannot breathe...I have loved people here so much that they have physically become a part of me....and I have surfed, lord have I SURFED, until I cannot take another stroke. Arugam Bay has taught me (slowly, slowly) how to receive. My friends and family here have been a constant source of love and inspiration, and my time here with them has been nurturing me back to the powerful and amazing woman that I am capable of being. Each day is better than the day before. Each rice and curry is more delicious than the previous. Each friendship and love is embedded that much deeper into my being. Each today makes me grateful for yesterday and excited for tomorrow. Osho says that when someone you love dies, that a part of you dies as well. And that space that this person filled inside of you, well, it will always be somewhat of a void. He explains its like trying to fill a circle with cubes...yes, you can fill the space, but it won't be a perfect fit, there'll be gaps and holes despite it all. Well I was prepared to be broken forever. My dad was the love of my life, and I was ready to carry the burden of missing him til the day I left this earth and saw him again. But here, in this town, in the water- I am surrounded by him, and by people whom I know that he hand selected for me. Nir, Malcom and Mimi are especially chosen by him- I.Just.Know.It. Life is so challenging, but it is so incredibly beautiful. I would be lying if I said that it won't break my heart to leave this place and this community, but I am also excited for the day that I return here, for the times and places when ill reunite with the amazing individuals that I met here, and no matter where I am- I will ALWAYS hold this love in my heart. That's all for now, it's time to paddle out for a sunset session...

Spontaneous And Sensational

Did a last minute trip to Galle, literally hopping into the taxi minutes before it left. It began with Luther and Adena leaving for Galle....

1. Then Agenta said he'd drive
2. Then Nir needed to go to Galle to see about a house
3. Then Mimi decided to tag along and "see Galle"
4. Then I think "well, why not?!", packed an overnight bag and hopped in.

It was a 6 hour drive to Galle. We stopped off at an artisans shop full of wooden carvings, witnessed an amazing parade, and arrived in town to let out Adena and Luther. We then proceeded to a friends of Agentas, whose home is on the river just north of Galle. It was a totally random, cosmic, spontaneous adventure, that got slightly more weird and eclectic as the night went on. We ate some pot candies, sipped some beers, danced, played music, chilled out and then ate rice and curry at 1 in the morning, which we were hand fed by our host....ah, the customs and etiquette of eating in Sri Lanka will always baffle me. Nir, Mimi and I were give. The big room with AC to share, and the three local boys piled together on the couch. It was not what I had pictured when I hopped on the taxi, but it was a spontaneous bit of fun and randomness, one of those magic nights that happen only in Sri Lanka.

This morning we sipped some tea, said our goodbyes, and then stopped into the fort in Galle for a proper cappuccino at my beloved Pedlars Cafe.

It was nice to get out of town and break up the routine, but I'm happy that we are heading back to my sweet home Arugam Bay....

Hair Cut Cry

I got my first "official" hair cut yesterday (my mother is a dog groomer and I usually just sit in her dog room and have her trim the ends with her shears). It all came about because Marina, Kelly and I have been having "girls" days. This usually involves exchanging massages, but since Kelly didn't give massages she chimed in "How about a hair cut"?! Well, let me tell you- Kelly is the REAL DEAL. She had her professional scissors and comb with her, and though I'd first said a firm NO to a hair cut, after seeing her magic with Marinas hair I hesitantly said Okay...

The agreement was a TRIM, only taking off the bottom inch of salt-water/sun/surf damage. I didn't threaten Kelly like I usually do my mom, and perhaps this was a mistake. Because she went ahead and "cut off the dead ends" to "clean it up". Holy SHITBALLS. She cut at least 6 inches off of my hair! My beautiful hair! I soothed the pain and shock with a strong gin and tonic and even now I still haven't come to terms with it. But as Kelly (and everyone else) has said -- "It looks so healthy!!!!". In the end, it was the ultimate lesson in detachment. There are few things that I am attached to, but my hair is one of them- and probably the strongest of them all. My hair has always made me feel beautiful, but true beauty radiates from the inside out- no matter what length your hair is. So, I've shed a few tears and am feeling a bit self conscious, but Kelly really did do an ammmmazing job and I'm grateful for her push to "detach" from the outer beauty and start to connect with the inner... Ah the wisdom that one can receive from a hair cut! Every day is a blessing and every day there's another lesson. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Foodie Fun with Friends.

I am so so so happy to be back "home" in Arugam Bay with my "family". Hooray! And now that Adena and Luther are here it's even better! Between being under the weather, traveling in Colombo, and catching up with my friends- I have slept VERY little this past week. I also pulled a 7 hour session (technically 6, there was an hour break in between) yesterday in the surf, so I'm feeling super exhausted (and super satisfied!). Anywho, hosted a little dinner party at our house last night for Nir, Ziv, Marko + Kelly, Marina + Gerrit, and friends. I made all sorts of goodies: grilled veggies, cheese platter, Tuna pâté, eggplant bruschetta, curry apple pasta salad, and roasted salsa. Despite my delirium I couldn't shake the smile on my face. Feeling so blessed for the community that I have here and for the abundance that we receive in the form of waves, food and love.

GEMS.

I love gems and crystals, so when two little men walked out from behind the waterfall in Ella, with trays full of em, I couldn't help myself...I bought a dozen! Sri Lanka is known for their gems, and because I feel so connected to this country, I am feeling so grateful to be going home with a few of these epic energy stones.

Little Adams Peak

Whoawhatthefuckhowislifethisbeautifulandamazing. Boom. Bah. Amazing. There are no words for our morning hike to Little Adams Peak....

 

Desse Barama (Peace) 

by Hamza El Din

"The world shines about me,

luminous as the moon, smiling like a rose,

and a sweet benediction

flows through everything existing.

How beautiful life is.

I marvel at people who are not in love with life.

You, my girl, are beautiful,

and your beauty,

like the beautiful thought of peace,

belongs to the eternity.

Detest war and destruction.

When you go to the riverbank,

and the sun sets in the evening,

the waters of the river will be rippling softly,

and from a distance, in the twilight, you will see white sails.

A song of the boatman will come from there.

'Today no suffering, no suffering.'

The world shines about me,

luminous as the moon,

smiling like a rose."

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

dawn.

5:30am wake up to see the sun rise up over the hills, sip some tea and prepare for a early morning trek...

"The morning at dawn has secrets to tell, don't go back to sleep." -rumi

Ella Spice Garden

Ella Spice Garden is a one man show. Chanty is a young Sri Lankan who hosts cooking lessons out of his families kitchen, teaching us foreigners how to make a proper Rice and Curry feast (his mothers recipes of course!). As soon as we arrived we took over the kitchen, put on some music, joked and laughed, and challenged each other to world domination garlic peeling. It was mayhem, and it was *delightful*. The food we cooked up was outstanding, and luckily for Luther (who keeps forgetting and using his "poop hand" aka left hand, to eat) we had silverware. And the highlight of the evening? CHAMPAGNE!!! Luther and Adena must love me because in duty free they grabbed a bottle of bubbles for us to enjoy. Such a great night. If anyone is ever passing through Ella, I highly recommend Chanty! 

Ellaspicegarden@gmail.com

+94 75 2363636

*Rice:

3 cups of rice for 3 people

*polished* rice (sambar rice). Short grain. Good for soaking up flavor. Wash rice until water becomes clear. 

12 curry leaves

Piece of cinnamon

Pandan

3 cardamom pods, pound in mortar, crushing inside seeds

*PANDAN (spice), looks like a long palm frond. Will be available at Asian supermarket

Using rice cooker...water: add one centimeter above the rice 

*Potato curry:

Boil potatoes (3) cube

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic thinly sliced

1 green chile, cut down middle into 2 halves 

12 curry leaves

Pandan

Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon roasted fenugreek seeds

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon unroasted curry powder

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Add 2 cups of 2nd coconut milk (the thinner coconut milk)

Cover it, bring to boil. 

Once comes to boil add half cup of 1st coconut milk. Continually stir as it comes back to a boil.

*Dal curry:

1 1/2 cups of lentils, rinsed 

2 cloves of garlic sliced

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

1 green chili cut lengthwise 

Pandan

8 curry leaves 

1 tablespoon Unroasted curry

Teaspoon red chili powder

1 tablespoon salt 

1 teaspoon turmeric 

2 cups 2nd coconut milk (thin)

Bring to boil for a few minutes. 

When no liquid on top, add 1/2 cup 1st coconut milk. Heat until top layer of liquid disappears. 

Temper the dal:

In a sauce pan fry 

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

8 curry leaves

Pandan

2 cloves garlic, crushed

*Garlic curry:

60 cloves of garlic (large only)

Cut both tips off, then slice in half down the middle (length wise)

Teaspoon turmeric powder

Teaspoon salt

1/2 red onion thinly sliced 

1 green chile thinly sliced 

Pandan 

10 curry leaves 

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in skillet. Add garlic and spices. 2 teaspoons roasted curry powder. Then one and a half cups 2nd coconut milk. Bring to a boil (cover). Cook until thick. 

*Coconut Sambal

1/2 red onion diced

1 green chile sliced 

1/4 tomato, diced

Mortar and pestle, smash 

Tablespoon salt

Teaspoon red chili powder

Juice of 1/2 lime

Mix with hands. 

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

The View.

We arrived into Ella after a mind-blowing train ride from Nuwara Eliya. This teeny tiny town would be missed if you blinked your eyes, but there is heaps of accommodation here for every budget. We opted for The View, which, well- has the best view in town. My room looks out over the Ella Gap, Rawana falls and Little Adams Peak. It's $30usd/night which is pretty steep for my budget, but it is worth every penny. We dropped our bags, ordered (yet another) pot of tea, soaked up the view and then headed out for our cooking lesson...

Off to Ella

We woke up and had a lazy morning in Nuwara Eliya. We enjoyed 3 *pots* of tea and played some shithead before grabbing the early afternoon train to Ella. Well holy shitballs, the train ride was one of the highlights of my trip! Amazing! Such beautiful scenery, such an enjoyable ride. Once in Ella we settled into a great guest house with an amazing view, enjoyed another pot of tea and then headed out for a cooking lesson. Such a beautiful day!

Ustrasana in Nuwara Eliya

"Make peace with the universe.
Take joy in it.
It will turn to gold.
Resurrection will be now.
Every moment, a new beauty."

--Rumi

My Eyes So Soft

My Eyes So Soft

"Don't surrender your loneliness so quickly

let it cut more deep.

Let it ferment and season you

as few human or even divine ingredients can

Something missing in my heart tonight

has made my eyes so soft

my voice so tender

my need of god 

absolutely clear."

--Hafiz

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Tea Time in the Hills

We hiked up to waterfalls, got bitten by leeches, took amazing photos and reveled at this glorious world we live in. Then we ate coconut cookies, toured a tea plantation, and sipped the best cuppa tea in Sri Lanka. We took several pee breaks and several tea breaks. Alas, we arrived at Nuwara Eliya, got settled into our FREAKING AMAZING guest house (King Fern), sipped more tea, then loaded up on rice and curry which we (tried to) walk off by cruising town. Tomorrow we hike Hortons Plain national park to see the sunrise and then we are off to ELLA before making our way to my beloved Arugam Bay. For now I'm huddled underneath my covers taking refuge from the chilly evening after a hot shower. Life is beautiful..."don't go back to sleep".

Cailin Callahan

www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com

Luther and Adena

Luther and Adena are here!!