Everyday life on the island of Sri Lanka is a hard struggle for existence for most of the inhabitants. Nevertheless, the people are animated by a cheerfulness and friendliness that is impressive. We encounter this inner happiness of the people again and again on our journey across the island.
The owners of this elephant are to be regarded as wealthy. Owning an elephant is an enormous wealth in Sri Lanka. The animals are treated and cared for very well.
On a marketplace we meet a snake charmer who shows us his art. With haunting flute playing, the cobra rises from the basket. We only dare to approach the couple within the furthest flight distance.
During our further journey across the country, we often see primitive wooden dwellings under palm groves. The roofs are covered with palm fronds.
Outside the big cities, most people still live in the simplest accommodations as they did a hundred years ago.
In the villages, the corrugated iron shops, usually set up on the thoroughfares, are the meeting place for the villagers.
It is not uncommon for the road to be blocked by ox carts, on which virtually everything is transported.
Life on the island of Sri Lanka takes place almost without exception on the streets. This is where people trade, haggle, sell, buy and hold the usual Smaltalk. This scenery often goes on until late at night.
