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Our favorite picture from April. A cute couple enjoying an afternoon together at the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, Korea And just like that, another month in the books. The days really do feel like they’re flying by, and it’s hard to believe we’ve been on this adventure for a full four months now. In April, we visited Japan and Korea, and we’re a wrapping up our time in Sri Lanka! Along the way, we were fortunate enough to meet up with a few friends, which added an extra layer of warmth to our adventures. It was so nice to have a touch of home after being away. We also couldn’t resist indulging in all the food, and we may have gone a little overboard with noodles and dumplings. But it was worth it. Although, it's possible that our DNA has been altered a bit as a result. 😉 We’re writing this from a bus en route from Ella to Galle, and it’s safe to say that our senses are in overdrive. The music is blaring, every seat is occupied, people are standing in the aisle, and we're making frequent stops for the driver to catch up with friends, buy snacks, and make some minor repairs. But hey, at least we're not stranded on the side of the road, right? A few reflections from last month: No matter how much we try to get under the surface and immerse ourselves in a new culture, at times it’s still difficult to get off the tourist path — After spending some time with our friend Lauren and her friend Jane in Seoul, we realized how much we may have been missing out on by not taking more risks. For example, thanks to Lauren’s guidance we discovered our newfound love for Makgeolli, a traditional Korean alcohol that we might have otherwise overlooked. Moving forward, we’re going to try and get more “local”… even more than we already feel that we do… however uncomfortable or unknown that may feel at times. Britt’s social anxiety is getting better and Justin is an excellent professor in not sweating the small stuff — Generally, Britt has trouble being present in new situations. She’s constantly worrying about the next logistical hurdle or the next topic of conversation to fill time with strangers. But… this adventure has really helped her manage some of that anxiety. It’s still there, but it’s getting better. Growth is what this trip is all about! Don’t sleep on Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has been an absolute gem and has exceeded our expectations on every level, easily becoming one of our favorite countries we’ve ever visited. The locals are incredibly kind and hospitable, regularly going out of their way to make us feel safe and at home. The country is also home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery we’ve ever laid our eyes on. And the food is amazing — full of flavor and spice! We can’t get enough of the curries and kottu! We haven’t been here long, but Sri Lanka has captured our hearts and we know we didn’t plan enough time here!
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