By Xin Li, Beijing, China - UPDATED Saturday, December 12, 2009

I never thought someday I would be so lucky to go to Sri-Lanka, and meet so many good friends, Achchi, Wanni, Ramani, Veronika, Waruna, Iresha, and a bunch of good little kids and my students . Horizon is a tiny little building in Sri-Lanka, but it is the most meaningful place to me. I had never been overseas. When I arrived in Mahavilachchiya, I was a little surprised at its differences from Chinese villages. There weren’t any draught animals. :D

The first person I met in Horizon Lanka was Ramani, a beautiful little woman. Although I could not speak English very well, we talked a lot about the feelings, my country, my culture, even man. She worried about that I would be afraid of sleeping alone, so she lived with me. “Good morning” and “good night” became the most essential words to me. I liked that. I liked sharing feelings with her, she taught me a lot. She is a wonderful woman and a good teacher. I wish she can find the greatest guy in the world. Achchi is a traditional Sri-Lanka woman, kind-hearted, good cook, loves her children. She is my grandmother, sometimes I want to call her “nainai” (in Chinese it means grandmother). She can’t speak English so we can’t talk. But you know, sometimes we don’t need words to communicate; we can use body languages or eye contacts. I remembered Achchi once said I was her child in the preexistence. She always told me “banana”, “tea”, only single words, but I knew she was afraid I couldn’t eat enough or have a good time there.

I only stayed in Horizon Lanka for forty days. It was a short time, but I had a really good time here. Veronica (other volunteer) always said I was a sky fan. I like Sri-Lanka’s sky, always blue, always with white clouds. you can’t imagine how beautiful the sky is. I want to see it all day long. I like sitting outside, feeling the breeze of the wind, and watching the little squirrel finding food. I have a dream that one day I can buy a house there and grow old.

I taught students oral English and computers. Although I wasn’t a good teacher, all the students listened carefully. I had the feeling that I wanted to teach them everything I know. I liked the three years old kids. I taught them English songs, playing games. Once a little girl told me she loved me, and her father took some overseas coffee, and she invited me to her house to drink coffee. What a cute girl. I think it is the feeling of happiness as a teacher which I never had felt before. I was so proud that all my students loved me.

The Sri-Lanka food is not as good as Chinese. :) Everyone knows china has the best food. But I like the food they cook with coconut. Sometimes, when Achchi is cooking, I like to stand aside and watch it. Wa, I can still feel the smell, it is sooooooo good. I believe there is nobody who doesn’t like Sri-Lanka fruit, they are so delicious, the pineapple, pawpaw, durian,J my mouth is watering even now. J I like the way they use hand to eat. At first, Ramani was afraid I can’t get used to it well, but I did it really well. I am really proud of that.

During the time in Sri-Lanka, I travelled a lot, Kandy, Nuwara, Colombo. Ramani took me to many temples, some of the names I can’t remember. Actually, I don’t believe in Buddhism, but I like the temples, and I want to see how piety they are. Buddhism teaches Sri Lanka people to practice kindness, love, passion, and the rest I can’t remember. Three is enough, I think. Haha. Anyway, I see so many beautiful temples, maybe you don’t know, there is a rule in temple, you can’t wear shoes in the temple. But the stone was so hot that I couldn’t walk on it, so I sit on the stone and cry out loudly, everyone looked at me and laughed. I felt so embarrassed. I also went to Nuwara Eliya, the coldest place in Sri Lanka. The tea there is the best, even my mother likes it. It has an international garden. As I mentioned it was so cold there, when I went to the garden in the morning, I put the hotel’s cover on and so funny, everybody looked at me. I don’t care because I wouldn’t be frozen only in this way :)

It took me almost three days from Mahavilachchiya to Beijing; it was really a long trip. I only slept five hours in three days. When I reached home, I was so sleepy. Anyway, it is the most exciting and meaningful experience in my life, thank you for all you guys. I will always remember this wonderful journey.

(Miss Xin Li, an AIESEC intern from the Mainland of China worked at Horizon Lanka, Mahavilachchiya from July 20, 2009 to August 25, 2009.)