Taxicab confessions

Getting around Colombo has turned out to be more of a challenge than I expected. The hotel limo drivers are courteous but expensive! Metered taxis are cheaper but less plush and have to be called to your location, so there is some waiting time involved. Either way, it's a wild ride past everything from stately buildings to humble tin shacks, with plenty of people and animals lining the roads and every possible kind of vehicle jostling for position. It's amazing there aren't more collisions!
Next stop was the American Center, where busts of Lincoln and Ben Franklin preside over the reading room.
After briefings, I braved one of the three wheeler cabs called a tuk tuk. Great ride and super courteous driver. This experience is almost impossible to capture in pictures, so just trust me when I agree with Gary Ponticiello that it's an e-ticket ride! I'll try to get some video the next time.
Finally a break for dinner, courtesy of Mel, an AFP journalist who is truly a credit to her profession and her country's tradition of hospitality to visitors. The food was awesome with lots of veg and fish choices but the conversation was even better!