So it takes a triumvrant to make this stuff happen sometime, but it all came together this time.
- A few of my friends just launched a discount airline, Indigo and Dec 1st marked their first flight to Goa.
- My friend Liz's birthday is this week (she's in the first pict)
- Liz is also leaving Delhi after 5 years
So a bunch (my friends Beth and Mike, Liz, and my friend from US Cheinan) of us got on Indigo and went to Goa. Goa is a land, a myth, a legend. I was there in 2003 (2004?) as part of a company retreat but pretty much stayed at the hotel and went to their private beach. I remember the beach being nice, and having a lot of fun, but didn't get a sense of the infamous Goa culture. Goa was a portuguese colony and has lovely architecture as a result. Heavily Christian also. But it was invaded by hippies in the 1960s (?) and has become this druggie, party haven since. I was a little wary of going there because it sounded devoid of any remaining Indian culture and it those exact tourists that I try to avoid when I travel anywhere else. But the triumvirate prevailed.
It was actually much better than I expected. We arrived without hotel reservations because
despite booking tickets over a month ago we were unable to make any progress on hotels. So we went somewhere someone found online, didn't like it and then went somewhere from the guidebook. The hotel was actually lovely but in a very busy, touristy section of Goa (which is a whole state, not all over which is totally crowded). In many ways it was everything I imagined; tourist restaurants, all the same souvenir crap as other tourist areas, crowded beaches of people I don't want to spend time with, 24 hour party culture. But first, I forgot that sometimes those of us who live here can use a break from India, so that Goa not being Indian, is okay once in a while. And second, I didn't realize that there were secluded, calm beaches. So the first day we went to a beach that Beth and Mike knew (they have been to Goa many times) which had little shacks for food and t-shirts but had maybe 30 people total out on the beach, so you felt very quiet and calm. And the water was lovely, temperature was perfect! Had a lovely meal, was a great time with friends and did go out in search of dancing that night.
The second day we went to the beach in front of our hotel, Baga beach. It was not nearly as nice as the prior one, with hawkers coming by every 15 seconds, indian men strolling the beach to ogle women in bathing suits and generally just crowded! But a beach is a beach and it was still wonderful (and with all the commotion it's easier to get drinks and food and massages to come to you!)
It was quick but also incredibly relaxing - I must remember that this is such a cheap and easy getaway! But you upcoming visitors should get no ideas - this is not India, and there are lovely Indian beaches (Kerala!). This is an escape from India but not nearly as objectionable as I would have guessed.
this past weekend where a bunch of us attended a sangeet for Muna's cousin. A sangeet is a pre-wedding party hosted by the groom's family for the groom. From left to right is Harpreet, Muna's mom, Muna, Alison, Me and Beth. Men come too but just didn't make the picture! The sari has been seeing a lot of action lately, I think it's time for another one. Although everyone in Muna's family wore a choli lenga which looks like a sari (see muna and her mom) but is actually a blouse and skirt with a draped scarf. Cheaters!
