Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
A smile can be contagious. We had been exploring a small village in the forest across the river and were now returning to our lodging which overlooked the Kelani River. Earlier that morning we had crossed the waterway on a makeshift pontoon craft which provided safe passage to the other side. During monsoon season it might have been a different story, but at the moment the vessel could be poled across the waterway. It was the main way the villagers accessed the larger settlement with its paved roads and shops. We were experiencing what a tropical climate can do to those not accustomed to such heat and humidity and were literally wilting on the vine.
Somehow or another we had the notion we were the only ones so affected. That is until we came in sight of some local men enjoying the cooling benefits the river had to offer. They were undoubtedly aware that the Academy Award-winning film Bridge on the River Kwai had been filmed not far from there, but their present interest in the river was much more basic. It offered a brief cooling respite from their work as well as a chance to enjoy each other’s company. A picture seemed in order and one of the group noticed my telephoto lens pointed at them. He must have also noticed my grin and conveyed this to his friends for they all joined in on the happy greeting.
Victor Borge, the pianist/comedian, had it right when he said, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.” And the nice thing about that is it’s not bound by any geographical boundary, be it a faraway river, the IRS agent’s office, or your own home.