IN THE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 57, 8 March 1930, Page 10

IN THE EAST

ITS FASCINATION

ROUND COLOMBO IN A RICKSHAW

(Written .for "The Post" by L. 0

Lesley House.)

Picture Colombo a mellow sun-wash-ed city nestling in avenues of soft fringed trees! A peoplo radiating with optimism and unfailing cheerfulness, whose quiet voices ling with a soft persistency. Such is Colombo! And in spite of the riots that take place from time to time there is something about this fascinating city of the Orient that thrills you with enchantment and expectation the moment you set foot on its shores.

Colombo to a vast majority, of people means a delightful vision of old temples and picturesque rickshaws. To others it may recall a land of heat and intense sunlight. To all it is. a world of riotous and profuse colourings and heavy scents. If it is dawn when you open your eyes on Colombo then the East has become yours for evermore.

As the huge steamers glide jinto their moorings a characteristic eastern picture spreads out before you. Curiously shaped boats toss idly on. the waters; red, brown, and whitesailed yachts in..perfect symmetry dot the harbour. Weird cries from the waters below—it is the sound issuing from lusty throats —the blacks are diving for coins. No matter how far down into the deep you may be able to throw your pennies, the swimmer, young or old, will come up smiling with the coin between his wonderful white teeth.

Vivid colourings will take your eager eyes and soon you will thrill to the joys of a rickshaw and ride through a gracefully-reclining city whose many varied shops, markets and oriental bazaars are a veritable feast of delight.

After traversing the wide streets of this strange place and listening to the fervent appeals of vendors and shopkeepers, who display . their many tempting wares such as ivory, coony, cloisonne, brassware, ambex-, silks and carpets, also coconuts and delicious breadfruit, you will not hesitate to take a most entrancing journey out to the peace and exquisite beauty of Mount Lavinia. There is nothing more delightful than venturing out in the cool of the early morning. Your journey will be a happy one, and you can be sure that you have seen all the sights and heard all the sounds that arc peculiar to an Eastern town.

I You leave the shops and the market places far behind. Places that teem with eager salesmen whose suave tongues and glittering eyes leave/a curious impression upon one, and whose black, sinewy fingers poke at you impatiently. But accept it all in good nature, as you must do if you wish to live under the spell of enchantment for a while. Past the old Dutch Guard room that served its purpose in tho days befo_re the British left their .mark in tho sunny isle of Ceylon you soon reach the high water canal, which is a. great asset to Colombo. This fresh water flows into the sea, and the canal is a delight to the swimmer, the family washer, and the temple elephant! This elephant is a sacred beast held in reverence' by a certain religious sect. Still on the way are the War Memorial and the elect Club of Colombo, then the Galle Pace Hotel, whose popularity is world-wide. English, Dutch, and Cingalese residences, domiciles for the "better class" you cannot help being struck, by the beauty of their construction. And, oh, how white and peaceful they seem between tall-towering trees! ( Quite nearby are the native quarters and markets where the various kinds of sticky' and smelly merchandise is uninvitingly hung out to the,gaze of the passer-by—yet another side of Oriental life. ' ■

Then you pass, through avenues and wide sweeping roads where graceful palm trees, golden acacia, and alamander flaunt their loveliness in the sunshine, with tall swaying bamboo mak^ ing a charming relief. The king coconut, hangs from high branches and looks not unlike huge, glowing globes of light. Here one sees churches, temples, and mosques dotted in between disgusting little meat, markets — yot you are still enthralled, for is it not the J'Jnst1? •

Bread fruits, limes, bananas, peppsi1, cinnamon, and the many fruit trees peculiar to fliq Tropics grow in profusion—the luscious fruit being most plentiful during the months of May, June, and July.

Leaving your shoes at the door, you enter the temples and immediately you are aware of the scent of lotus flowers and faint incense permeating the air. The altars are covered with - white flowers, wistful, fragile, little petals. A most ethereal atmosphere pervades the place, while the bronze religioso is seen prostrate on the floor. It is a holy place and here also you are under its spell.

The Buddha priest looks most comical striding to his place of worship wearing a long and flowing yellow dress and, carrying a huge umbrella to protect his sleek head from the sun. The Sabbath is full of many coloured garbs worn by an erect and graceful people. No Eve de la Paix gown could be worn in a more striking manners-

To make a short stay at the lace market and see women and young girls ddftly manipulating flying bobbins is a n-ever-to-be-forgotten scene, while outside the young black will race far up a coconut tree imploring you to take his photo and then unblushingly ask you for so-nio coins in recognition of Ids condescension!

Then on again, and very suddenly and unexpectedly you come- upon the Mount. Here is the fullness of joy! The white and palatial hotel reclines in lovely grounds. Breakfast is ready, and the- refreshment hall presents an appearance of coolness and comfort where the black waiters in spotless white garb serve you silently and attentively with a truly gmmptuous meal. Breakfast,- did I say? ' Indeed, the delectable- delicacies might be breakfast, dinner, and tea! Also on the green and spacious lawns overlooking a turquoise sea under a sky of inimitable blue, light and dainty refreshment may be partaken. On the seashore below the Temple elephants take their morning dip or the black boys dive for "buckshee." Your senses are stirred in a strange manner, and somewhere at the back of your mind a Biblical story unfolds itself—or indeed have you lived before?

And so this Pearl of the Orient— named after Columbus —is unsurpassed for beauty with, its lovely and artificial harbour consisting of three magnificent breakwaters.

In your memory ever after will linger tho charm of this fascinating City of tho East.