Wondering with pleasure along tge Silk Route
By Nabeela Hussain
Celebrating not only the Chinese culture but also a friendship that spans more than half a century, is the travel guide “wondering with pleasure along the silk route” by celebrated lyricist, author and photographer Saman Athaudahetti.
The travel guide which is based on more than 10 years of research not only looks at the unique Chinese culture but also attempts to learn from it.
The book travels through many provinces, from Beijing to Tibet to si chuan, it takes the reader through the cultures that are indigenous to certain areas.
Plunging in to uncommon details the book allows the reader to explore China from a different perspective. “Because of the technology anyone can learn so much about a place, but I have ensured the book gives details that are not easily found,” saman said.
Buddhism, Saman explains has close ties with both countries and makes an essential relationship between the two. “During my travels I found that the famous Kutala Palace in Tibet was made to house a statue from Sri Lanka,”he said.
“It is not that I have looked for a connection between the two countries in the places that I visited, but when I found them I have highlighted them,” Saman explained.
The book written in Sinhalese, provides the Chinese reader with the opening paragraphs along with a synopsis in Chinese.
The experience of travelling in china not only allowed Saman to explore a culture much different from ours but also learn from them.
Looking at the laws that surround minorities, Saman explained that Sri Lanka too can learn from them. “The Chinese have given many opportunities to other ethnicities to protect and expand their cultures,” he said.
“Wondering with pleasure along the silk route” will be available in Sri Lanka during the upcoming international Book festival. Saman has written has also written a travel guide in Japan and hopes to explore more in the Asian region.
“These are cultures and people who are close to us and we have to understand them,” he said.