It’s almost one year since the World Health Organization declared covid-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Nobody expected what came next and certainly nobody expected things to last this long. But here we are, wondering when it will be over and hoping the vaccine will restore some sense of normalcy.
In the meantime, how are people filling their days? When it’s all said and done, how do they want to remember this time looking back? In this new series we’ll hear from all sorts of people in Croatia about their pandemic experience and their predictions for the future.
Episode #1 with… Mahesh Herath, from Sri Lanka.
Mahesh is the owner of Antaari Ceylon Ayurveda Spa, located in Split’s Old Town. The spa was all set to make its opening debut last summer when pandemic restrictions forced it to close. But wait, why a Sri Lankan spa in Croatia? A bit of background…
Sri Lanka developed its own Ayurvedic system of traditional medicine based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation over 3,000 years. The ancient kings, who were also renowned physicians, sustained its survival and longevity. A well-known Sri Lankan saying comes from this legacy: “If you cannot be a king, become a healer.” Mahesh became an entrepreneur, in the service of wellness, personal care, and hospitality. He was looking for a spa location when he happened to visit Istria. He quickly loved the people and the country and thought “why not here?”
Of the pandemic, Mahesh talks about positive mindset, being still, consciousness, health, and having a strong mind. Find spa information here: https://www.antaari.com/
Story and photographs ©2021, Cyndie Burkhardt. https://photo-diaries.com
For more of Cyndie’s experiences, check out her Croatia Through the Eyes of a Digital Nomad column.
Are you an expat in Croatia who would like to share your experiences during the pandemic in Cyndie’s video series? If yes, please contact her on [email protected]
We are also keen to interview any digital nomads who have successfully applied for the new visa, after the first success in Istria – Meet Melissa Paul, Owner of Croatia’s First Digital Nomad Visa. Please contact us on [email protected] Subject Nomad Visa.