February 2022
A fundamental aspect of our corporate philosophy is visiting our partners in the respective producing countries. Because we want to get to know and understand the country and people, culture and food, as well as our partner companies, including all employees. This is the only way we can build a sustainable and healthy business for both sides.
Unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic and the associated country restrictions and requirements, we had to wait for our visit to Sri Lanka. But in February 2022 the time has finally come!
Day 1 – Departure from Germany
Wow… is it really about to start? Our excitement increases, but at the same time the thought "something has to happen soon that will keep us from our trip" creeps up on us - it seems so unreal that after 2 years we are finally on our way to our partner in Sri Lanka and will be seeing him live again soon for the second time. We have been working with him for 2 years now, so right from the start of the pandemic. The previous communication as well as product quality and service etc. is first class. But talking via video call is just not the same as actually watching everything live on site and spending real quality time together over lunch and extended dinner with the family.
The preparations for entering Sri Lanka were extraordinarily extensive, but in the end the flight from Düsseldorf via Dubai and entering Sri Lanka was flawless.
Day 2 - Arrive Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sunday morning, 8.30 a.m.: Yippee... we made it straight away! Just show all our prepared documents and we can exit the airport into the warm tropical air. - And the first positive impression: everyone is so friendly and helpful - not pushy at all (as you might know from other Asian countries). Our partner picks us up from the airport and both sides are very happy to see each other again! We quickly go to the hotel to take a quick shower and then we drive together to various supermarkets in Colombo for a store check. Because we are always very interested in how and what is eaten regionally or what products are available in the supermarkets or the open markets.
In the fruit & vegetable department we see so many interesting types of vegetables that we don't know. Our partner suggests that his wife can prepare the new vegetables for us tomorrow for lunch. What catches our eye is that the supermarket has large wooden containers in which dry goods such as rice, lentils, beans, etc. are stored. Customers can help themselves here with large shovels. We would say: Bulk shopping has been standard here for a long time! 😉
But now we're getting hungry... It's our first time going to a local Sinhala (Sri Lankan) restaurant. We are very fortunate that our partner placed the order for the whole table and also remembered to order "not spicy". (In anticipation: the Sinhalese cuisine is one of the hottest in the world). So "not spicy" is also spicy for us :-D The interesting thing is: During our stay in Sri Lanka we got used to the spicy seasoning and even learned to love it (a little) 😊 . We think the way of eating together (having different dishes on the table that everyone can help themselves to) is really nice and it's just fun to try the different dishes, flavors and specialties. We're already blown away! After the meal there is a delicious black Ceylon tea.
By the way: the locals always eat with their hands. But as a foreigner you can get cutlery in every restaurant, because the technique of eating rice & curries with your hands takes a little practice 😉
In the afternoon we return to the hotel. The capital Colombo is right on the coast. We end the evening comfortably at the beach bar of our hotel and go to bed early because we are really tired!
Part 2 of the travelogue will follow soon! :-)
