How I keep in touch with family during the pandemic. Image: Matylda Grzelak
The airport looked like the side of a harmonica from above. We were supposed to head south to the coastal UNESCO World Heritage Site Galle, but I changed our plans to analyse if Sri Lanka does in fact look like a teardrop of India. I also compared the road density across north and south and discovered the tiny Sober Island just outside the northern city of Tricomalee, naturally thinking that it would have been funny if they sold alcohol there.At a click of a button, bending the axis of time and logic, I was suddenly standing in the middle of Colombo’s Bandaranaike Airport with my partner, mom, and dad.
My partner’s legs and suitcase flying above our trapezoidal route plan for Sri Lanka. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
Me and my Dad in the wide streets of the historic old town of Galle. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
Me and my Mom at Secret Beach Mirissa along the southern coastal Ahangama belt. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
Rowing in Hiriketiya Beach with my family. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak and Oliver Sjöström, Unsplash.
Orange cocktails with my Dad. I also immediately tanned and changed my hair colour. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
Visiting the Yala National Park on a safari, posing with my Mom. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak and Fergus So, Unsplash
With my mother on the Yala Park Safari. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
My mom, dad, and me on the 3-hour legendary scenic blue train ride from Ella to Nuwara Eliya, which we had to cut short after my parents lost interest in virtual views and preferred to act silly. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak and Photo by Anton Lecock, Unsplash
On the way to Adam’s Peak. We didn't even get tired. Here joined by my partner who was unusually quiet throughout our whole journey. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak
My Dad in the streets of Colombo’s Pettah district in search of more food. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak and Alex Azabache, Unsplash
With my partner in front of the Red Mosque in Colombo. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak and Farhath Firows, Unsplash
The other day, my Dad placed our framed blue train group shot on his office desk. The suntan he had been working so hard on in the Polish sun made it almost believable.It was a strange experiment but I’m glad it wasn’t a complete waste of time. We even managed to get some family photos, as if being apart was actually an illusion.
A compulsory photo souvenir from visiting South Sri Lanka. Our family trio against the best view on the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. Collage: VICE / Images: Matylda Grzelak