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Published: October 24th 2007
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Gateway of India
Gateway of India - stone arch, erected by the British - and sight of the last British Forces sailing away for the last time Feels like an age since I last wrote - it is in fact 4 days. Am definitely starting to lose track of days and time - which was all part of the plan. So it's working....
Mumbai visit was great - had a great time in the city. Took myself to the swanky Taj Mahal Palace hotel on Saturday evening to treat myself to a glass of champagne - just for a treat really (you can take the girl out of islington....). Bought myself a pair of jeans so looked fairly smart and sat at the bar drinking veuve cliquot having a rare time to myself - met an english couple over for a wedding in Goa - and got quite merry on 3 glasses of fizz - which was not really in the budget plan. Ah well.
Found myself watching the English rugby in a nice bar where some australian rugby types had hired a room for a private party. The didnt appear to care that a few of us stragglers were there and helping ourselves to their party snacks - all very jolly and quite drunken. Walking home at about 3am (the others walked me back -
Anjuna Flea Market
Bedding on sale at Anjuna Flea Market I didnt do this alone) was more of an experience as we strolled past people sitting on the streets, openly taking smack when cars and people are just in front of them. Was offered drugs a lot in Colaba - which makes me think a lot of western tourists do take them up on the offer. Definite undercurrent in the air.. but not scary. I liked it a lot.
Visited Elephanta Island the next day - about 9km from the city on a 1 hour boat ride. It ha stone many stone carvings in caves around the island. I was actually a bit disappointed as not what I expected - and sadly many of them have gone to ruin - but was glad to have made an effort to see something in the city more than the inside of some bars.
Am now firmly in tow with Andy, Cheryl and Durgham. We agreed to head to Goa together - although the Sunday night train was fully booked - so we took the day train on Monday which was again a great journey. Gorgeous countryside and very lush as monsoon season has just finished. Andy brought vodka for the
Celtic boozing
Drinking cocktails with Durgham train (which is strictly prohibited) and we all got quite merry. When I say it is prohibited - so is smoking - but all the guards smoke all the time - and we got one of them quite pissed on the vodka too. He had to sit down for a rest at one point he was so pissed - and still trying to serve cups of steaming hot tea to other passenges from a tin can. Very funny. Indian people are a really friendly bunch - I like them a lot.
So am now here in Goa. And it really is very different to what I have seen so far. People say this is getting towards "real" India - but I dont know what they mean by that. To me, seeing the way the people live in Rajasthan - as if it were 200 years ago - as opposed to me sitting here at a beachside cafe using a laptop with wireless to write my blog, just shows you that there isnt a real india really - the contrasts are just huge whereever you go.
Its sweet - the place Im in. Anjuna beach - pretty much billed
Cheryl and Andy
Cheryl and Andy.. a lookey-likey for Mrs kealey I think! as a party resort - but we are a couple of weeks pre season really, so not everything is open and it is not too busy. Feeling great and very relaxed though. I want to stay here for a couple of weeks - but I think Andy and Cheryl may want to move on. Not really sure how that will work, or if they will expect me to move to. Its nice to have company, and is always good to see other beaches - but i have plenty of time and really fancy chillin out for a while. And maybe even seeing the shine of a yoga mat under my feet - but then again, Ive been saying that for weeks.
It is a party town though - and the air of hash in the air is permanent, people openly smoking in cafes, etc.. have seen some english blokes, downing the kingfisher, chain smoking and tapping their feet very vigourously at 2 in the afternoon - I suspect they have had a little "help" - if their saucered eyes were any clue. It's that kind of town. Did have a few drinks last night though - delicous blueberry bacardi breezers - at about 50p a bottle. No wonder I want to stay a while.
Visited the weekly flea market today but only purchased another anklet - I have one on both legs now - to hopefully detract from bad foot tan that I have from wearing birkenstocks for a month. Have now switched to flip flops in an attempt to brown the rest of them - but its not really working. Have also got myself an indian sim card as am having sweats about my phone bill for last month. Normal sim is locked away..
Off to watch (another) sunset now and I do believe it is nearly cocktail hour...a holiday within a holiday.
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