Jay was telling how he used to walk multiple times per day past downtown Minuwangoda as a youth. I realized that we no longer walk to even the junction to catch a bus as the widespread use of motorized tuk-tuks brings people door-to-door. So today, I suggested we walk to the Sunday Market in Minuwangoda town.
The purpose-built market buildings are busiest on Sundays. Vendors from all over set up to sell household products. However, it is mostly known for the extensive fruit and vegetable section. I remember visiting the new market when it opened in the early 2000s.
Now, there's little need for us to shop there as we can pick up a variety of the same items at one of the small supermarket chains. So, we walked around for nostalgia's sake and then popped into a Keels Supermarket to buy a few groceries.
We made it. It took us only around a half-hour to walk downtown and it appeared as 2.1 kilometers on my Mi Band. Still, the Airport Road is now non-stop traffic and there's very little space along the edge of the highway to walk. Jayantha noted lots of differences, such as, how all the houses are now surrounded by walls. There were lots of new businesses along the route. We probably will not walk it again during this stay.
We hired a tuk-tuk to come back to the house. The driver asked for 200 rupees (CA $1.47). Jay and his sister are still talking about how this is about 50 rupees (CA $0.36) too much! I am sure this was just a little tourist surcharge.