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Posts Tagged ‘Westerners’

Back in Goa! The most active place and one that is very addictive. Addictive beaches, climate, restaurants, hotels, colorful markets and the most friendliest people around.

After spending 2 nights on the train from Gujarat to Mumbai and then to Goa, I landed in Candolim. This is where I did yoga last year. It was great to drive back to a familiar area and recognize people and places. On my way to Candolim from the train station, my taxi driver kept saying ‘shirt’. I told him I don’t need a shirt. I’m figuring he wanted to take me to a shop where he’d receive a commission. But, I insisted that he take me to my Goa India hotel. I didn’t need a shirt, I needed a hot shower, bad. He kept insisting, so finally, he drove up to his home and got an extra shirt! He was cold, I was sweating.

Goa is such a friendly place. It’s so easy here and so different from Gujarat. Don’t get me wrong, Gujarat was great and way more Indian and friendly too, but I had such a huge communication barrier there. Everyone here, in Goa, speaks English and they don’t stare at you as much as they did in Gujarat. I guess they weren’t used to Westerners. Both places, Goa and Gujarat are equally charming and I’m glad that I get to experience both places.

After I got my hot shower, I walked to places I knew and ran into a yoga student with who I met last year. It felt so good to see someone I knew. He took me to his apartment, which he told me he was lucky to find because it’s getting closer to Christmas and most places are booked for the holiday. His apartment was clean and colorful – Yellow and Green. He has a fully equipped kitchen, a yoga room and a bathroom. There was even a little patio in the front where we both sat while he waited for the bread man to show up. Warm bread for only 2.5 rupees. He told me that the bread man comes by many times in a day, so he can get all the fresh bread he wants. Yum!

His place was very close to the yoga shala and to the beach. So his life was relaxed and quiet. He did yoga in the morning, breakfast at his apartment, shower, then off to the beach. Then off to the colorful market nearby and buy vegetables, fruits and anything else he wants for that nights dinner. What a way to live I thought and I asked him is there’s another apartment available here. He said there will be one available next week and that it’s very cheap.

Since I plan to stay here another month, I might as well put an inquiry with the apartment owner and move here. I might just stay for the whole season this time.