Open your eyes
by Jetwing · Published · Updated
I have often wondered what a blind man would say,
If he could but gain his sight
Would he look at the streets and the people and see all the dirt and filth and grime?
Would he look at the walls of a common home and notice only the graffiti and mold?
Would he look into the face of his neighbor and think what deformities and scars they carry?
Or would he open his eyes wide and smile at what the common man takes for granted.
Would he look at the sky and see the shades of blue and white,
Would he see the smiled greetings of the passersby?
Or even the uneven paving’s that have fuelled many an artist’s work,
Would he gaze in wonder at the soaring buildings and amaze at the ingenuity of man
Or the genius of a poor child who makes a toy from other peoples rubbish…
That was my poor attempt at poetry some time ago but reading through it recently I realized that it could very well express a sentiment that I believe every one of us should be aware of.
How many of our fellow Sri Lankans long to travel abroad? To see the sites in a distance place and then come back home and rave about it? To talk of the sceneries and wildlife and nature that abounds all around the world. But how many of them have taken the time to find out about all the wonders to be had right here in our homeland.
Even when you take an animal as renowned as the majestic elephant, do many know that it is native to Sri Lanka and is one of only 3 sub species of the Asian Elephant? Or that Sri Lanka plays host to 16 Endemic Mammals, 33 endemic birds, 101 endemic reptiles, 90 endemic amphibians, 916 species of endemic plants or that 16% of all the fauna in the world and 23% of the flowering plants in the world is endemic to our island.
Takes your breath away doesn’t it. When I found out about it I was actually left open mouthed with that all two familiar phrase. “What? You’re kidding me?”
And this reaction, the more I find out about our country is getting so familiar that even I don’t believe myself. From the mountain views of Sri Pade and Ella, to the beaches of Unawatuna, Trincomalee and Arugambay, from the ancient structures of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya to the luxuries of hospitality in hotels such as, Maalu Maalu and Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka is indeed a little known or explored paradise whose potential is unimaginable.
So open your eyes, and really see what’s surrounding you. Take the time to find out more and explore the island on which you live, for be assured there are many a people who would long to stand where you stand.
By Anoushka Rajapakse
