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I am not a jerk. I really think so. I am usually a very welcoming, kind, and positive type who loves family gatherings at home and is ready to stay in the kitchen for hours making an elaborate dinner. You…
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When foreigners ask me which Russian city I am from, more often than not they expect to hear “Moscow” or “Saint Petersburg”. When I say “Yekaterinburg”, the reaction is usually “Oh… ok… I will never be able to pronounce that”….
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So you are planning a visit to my Motherland? This truly makes me happy. As a person who was born in Russia and knows about its beauty, historical and cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, I often feel frustrated by the…
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Many years ago, when I just moved to Sri Lanka, I decided that jackfruit was going to be my favorite fruit. I say “decided” because I distinctly remember the moment when I made that decision. I was at a farmer’s…
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When I told my Sri Lankan friends I was going to stay in Sigiriya for two days, some were surprised. You see, mostly people come here with one purpose — to climb the Lion Rock. Half a day is more…
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With a little over a month left till summer, I walked around the city center of Ekaterinburg under a snowfall like I haven’t seen in years. Even for hardcore Russia snow in April is a little too much. Not completely…
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At the humble age of 29 I decided it is time to read the Harry Potter series. Now or never. After all, I visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando last year, albeit without understanding much of what…
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I have a suspicion our helper, Maheshari, thinks I am what is in Sinhalese called “wadakata na” — useless, good for nothing. She likes me though, but doesn’t think I am capable of doing things on my own, especially when…
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“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi My ordinary conversation with a waiter when ordering cold drinks goes as follows: “Can I have a mango juice (pineapple juice, mojito, ginger beer) and no straw please?”…
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Sometimes I don’t feel like writing about food or travel. Sometimes I feel like writing about hot Brazilian actors. It is half past midnight and maybe, just maybe, I am not in my right mind. I have to also admit…
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