Sri Lanka taught me: Always remember - There is more good in the world than bad

There is something about staying a few nights somewhere - you start to feel part of the community. A lot of my trips involve one day here, one day there. Maybe an overnight stay, then an early morning departure. In the end, you see a lot but it can be hectic. It isn’t until you stay somewhere a little longer you pick up on the vibe. You make eye contact with the locals, smile and feel you are connected to them. You are experiencing a glimpse of their life.

I ran every day in Sri Lanka. Originally it started when I joined a challenge to run every day in December. I loved it so much that it carried into January. In the mystical town of Sirgara all routes involved ‘that rock’ – Lions Rock. An ancient rock fortress that has you captivated the minute your first spot it.

Wherever you are in the town, you spot it. When I ran I spotted it, it brought great joy into my life. There was a back road near my hotel where it felt like you were running towards it. As I passed, I would turn and run back catching glimpses of it - each time I would gasp in awe.

One morning I wanted to run further than my usual route. That back road had served its purpose. I wanted to venture out further into town, the only slight consideration was the number of stray dogs I would need to encounter, and quite possibly manoeuvre. I couldn’t possibly allow the thought of a possible stray dog encounter hold me back – life is too short for that! I think I told myself that for reassurance.

I ran along the main road and would run on the opposite side of the road when I encountered some dogs. There was lots. Most seemed so sleepy and uninterested. I started to wonder what I was so worried about. I reached the halfway point of the run and turned to head back. Enjoying the extra stretch of the legs listening to my music with the view of the rock ahead. I also sensed an overly playful dog ahead, wandering about.

As I tried to cross the road, it crossed too. Then when I slowed down to a walk, it arrived at my feet trying to be playful. Whenever I edged away, it began to make snarling noises. Arggh. 5km away from my hotel, I didn’t anticipate getting stuck by a dog. This wasn’t the plan.

Whenever I tried to walk past the imaginary dog boundary, it would come back at me. I felt stuck, too scared to start running as it would definitely jump on me. I started to feel frustrated that I was trapped by a dog, until I glanced back and saw a local man on his bike.

‘Could he be my eager dog savour?’, I thought.

We caught each other's eye. I nodded at the dog and made the universal sign, ‘the dog won't let me run past’ while shrugging like the stuck traveller I was. He nodded back, in agreement to the request for help. He cycled up to the dog and shoo-ed it away. The dog began jumping between us, seeing the man on his bike as a new player to the game. This wasn’t how I envisaged the rescue being played out. The dog now seemed even more hyper.

I felt this unease bubble away inside.

A second man appeared on his bike. We all looked at each other and nodded towards the dogs. Both local men formed a barrier between me and the dog, using their bikes as a shield. They then signalled to run. How wild. It all seemed to happen so quickly I didn’t have time to fully process it. So, I went for it and just ran, a little scared to look back. Completely seizing the opportunity.

I did look back, briefly, to wave at the local men while shouting Thank You at the top of my lungs.

‘Maybe dogs are my animal spirit, telling me to slow down,’ I thought.

I laughed most of the way back to my hotel at how pathetic I must have looked to the local guys. Bless them for instantly taking action and being my real-life angels. In every situation we have a choice – we can throw in the towel or figure it out. Without those two amazing men, I would probably still be stuck there

"Choose to be optimistic, it feels better." – Dali Lama