An unforgettable even in my life

The loud screech of an unseen animal gave goosebumps to many in our party. We drew closer to each other for comfort, even though the bus we were cramped into provided enough protection. The sun had set over an hour ago, taking with it the hope of finding shelter before dark. As we waited in the rear, the older members of the party were in deep conversation at the front. My closest relations and I were stuck at the entrance of the Sinharaja Rainforest in a bus with a tyre punch and nowhere to sleep at night.

The journey that brought us there began over six hours ago in Colombo. We were rather known for our adventurous spirit and spontaneous nature among the clan. So, to keep up our reputation, we organized an expedition to the Sinharaja rainforest in a day and set off on the next day. The plan worked without a glitch, as the food, entertainment and all other essentials were provided for. the journey. Exept for one. Little did we know that the lodge we assumed will be open, would be closed on that fateful day. Our songs and dances stopped short as we learned the news from the gatekeeper. There are plenty of other places, we thought, and returned to the bus, only to find the driver looking grey over a flat tyre. Now we were officially stranded and the bus was not a comfortable place of rest for 40 people. Hours ticked on with no hope in sight, when our salvation emerged from the bushes. It was an old farmer who herad our plight and had a spare room in his hut. He took us to his hut through the jungle over riverlets of cold water and under growth where invisible animals lurked. Someone was wise enough to ask where the toilet was, and the old man pointed towards the jungle. Very soon a large bonfire was raging in the clearing near the hut and a pot of noodles and curry was boiling over it. By now everyone had warmed up to the adventure and were enjoying the dinner over a very loud conversations. The clan fell asleep late into the night, cramped into the porch, kitchen and bedroom floors of the hut.

Waking up, we discovered that the new day had brought new lodging and a fixed tyre with it. The rest of our expedition went, well, adventurously as we always called it. But that night, when we were truely lost and stranded will always be talked about in every family reunion.
