Day 10
I stayed at the resort today to catch up on writing. And to relax. There is always lots to see and do and experience. I like just resting and restoring my energy at times. Peter went out and explored the village and came back and told me all about it.
In the evening we went to a restaurant very close to the resort. It was ridiculously cheap and the food was delicious. $12 (Australian, 500rupees) for 2 meals, bread, rice and lassis. And they had a green light over the table. It put an eerie green glow to everything.
Day 11
Whalka, whalka, whalka, whalka, moobood, moobood, mooboooood…cries the ticket seller on the bus, as we climb the high steps into the rattly bus to head back to Benaulim Beach. We’d been to the markets at Margao. They were much quieter than the capital, Panjin. The prices in the markets are so much cheaper than the shops, and the shop owners are friendly and want to talk. Not having many customers throughout the day, means not much conversation.
We were told by Rajan, the Ayurvedic doctor that Indian people have little stress because they talk, talk, talk all the time and release their stress that way. I also believe that the meditative patience they’ve developed waiting for things to happen, also helps.
We walked around the city looking at the different shops, saying hello to locals, eating samosas and drinking fresh coconut water and occasionally buying fruit for a couple of beggar children (they were delightful). Interestingly, Peter said that many of the locals stopped and stared at me giving attention to these two beautiful souls. I can’t imagine why it would be such a spectacle.
We came across a rusted sign for the City Hospital. We searched for it and found it down an alleyway and up 2 flights of stairs to the 1st floor. I’m so glad I’m healthy (and not pregnant). This looks like one hospital I’ll keep away from.
“Hello. How are you? You look at my shop?” “Taxi?” “Come in my shop?” “You want buy clothes?” “You want jewellery? I give you best price!” “Where you go? Taxi?” You come my shop tomorrow. You remember me?” “I have nice tablecloth and pillowcase for you.” “Why you not come to my shop?” And on, and on, it goes as we walk up the narrow street back to the resort. This constant barrage of questions and haggling zaps my energy. I want to throw a burka over me to shield me from the onslaught (they wouldn’t recognise me…or maybe they would as I’d be the only one in the village in that garb…hehehe). Peter seems to enjoy baiting the people though. They all laugh together about it. Crazy Indians!!
We head back out to the cheap restaurant we found yesterday for an early dinner. They open the window beside our table and we have a clear view of the street below. We could never poke our heads or hands out of windows in Australia without some sort of safety feature. Different standards in India.
On the way back to the resort, we ventured into Anna’s shop. She has different items for sale than everyone else. Brassware, exotic handmade tablecloths, cushion covers, wall hangings and bags from Kashmir, Agra, Jaipur, Karnataka, and her home village Gadag, carved marble tealight lamps, beaded clothing and saris from Jaipur were some of the delights we were tempted with. She liked us, so she happily allowed us to haggle her down to bestest prices. We liked her and her husband, Vital, and children very much.
It would be so easy to want to stay in one of these out-of-the way villages. The lifestyle is very cruisy. The locals are friendly and helpful. Almost everyone speaks English. Food is delicious and fresh and can be bought cheaply. Massages are good. Beach is clean and ok to swim in, no surf though. We’re checking out accommodation prices for future reference, it differs depending on the time of year (monsoon, off-peak and tourist). So far, the prices are cheap (always know what you’re getting for the price and find out if things work or not – don’t assume anything. Always ask lots of questions to be sure). What else is there? Ahhhh…that’s right! Someone special to share the experiences with. I’m working on that.