A Knife Shop

---

Knife Shop
We are heading for Anuradhapura. Along the road we stop to visit an archeological site. A tank, these are man-made reservoirs, centuries old. And learned how the people use to farm the land. Sri Lanka has no natural lakes so over the 3000 years that people have been living on the island thousands of tanks, some small, some mammoth have been built. These tanks are still used today, collecting and storing water and providing wonderful habitat for plants and animals.

A small shed sits next to the road displaying knives for sale. These knives are sharp on both sides and are used to cut rice in the field. I must have one! I ask if they are for sale? Yes. How much? 150 rupees. Great. I select a knife. The man takes the knife, switches on the grinder, and puts a good sharp edge on the knife as we watch. Several people in our group wonder how I'll get it home on the airplane - checked luggage.

---