"I came, I saw, I've adapted???"

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" I came, I saw, I've adapted" I wrote that a few entries ago and it was pretty cocky of me. Sure at the time I was feeling that way, after being here all of 24 hours.Now that I've got a few days under my belt I'd like to retract that statement, and change it to " I am WAY out of my element!" In a good way though, I am certainly getting an education. I've taken to smoking Indian cigarettes because it's something to do while I'm standing around gawking.Laura and I went to an organic spice farm a few days ago. The guide took us for a hike through the rainforest and pointed out various common spices. I enjoyed it very much. I love to cook and I love spices. Also explained was the distilling process of cashew Feni, 42.8% trouble exclusively made here in Goa. I'd read about it before I came here. It's terrible stuff! One shot and I knew it was nothing I wanted to tango with, but the locals and tourists drink it like water. It is my observation that Goa is India's party central. People come here to party and relax on the beach and we've followed suit.We wake up when we like, we eat whatever we want, we shop, we nap on the beach, talk to the locals and the imports, take in the sights, loiter in the village and go to bed when we are ready to. We've yet to meet any other Americans but a million people from Russia, Germany, England, South America and the Netherlands. Most of the people I've gotten on with are from England. Remember the 2 blokes I spoke of in my other entry? They've been here for months and know the area quite well. The other night they took me to Chapora a little village next to Vagator (we live in Vagator). I've found where the hippies of the world commune and it is in Chapora. Just yesterday Laura said to me "If there's anything I've taken from this trip so far it's that europeans are freaks" to which I replied "No Laura, europeans are not freaks, hippies are freaks!!!"
Yesterday I took breakfast and lunch on the beach. Got a pedicure and full body massage (also on the beach). Then the ambush. We pretty much got taken for all the rupies we had in our pockets. Indian beach girls walking around and selling jewlery, clothes, henna tats, bags, CD's, fruit, hats, saris, sarongs, alibaba pants, scarves, statues, salt and pepper shakers, hammocks, posters, pastries, and flip flops. I'm embarassed to say I may now have at least 2 of each. But I am proud to say I finally have learned the fine art of haggling. It took hours and it was exhausting. These girls are RELENTLESS!! and I'm a sucker. But I'm much better off for it now. Laura's a lot better at it than me, she drives a hard bargain and I'm learning from her. I don't feel at all bad about it though. Just like I'd like to think I'm good at what I do for a living, these girls are the BEST!
Two more days here in Goa and then north to Mumbai. We purchased two first class train tickets in a sleeper car with AC. It will be my first time in a train. A lot of firsts on this vacation!!

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Photos

PLEASE!!!!
ask me about this picture when you see me again. I've seen a lot of strange things this week, but this takes the cake.

Yep!
Remember what I said about hippies!

The Ambush!
first there were two

(Small)
and...

The Ambush!
Then there were many

Massage on the beach
It was wonderful but now that I'm looking at this photo: 1 this guy looks a little too happy and 2 Damn I'm white!

You say auto rickshaw
I say death trap

Comments

[Gwen]

heart ache
I was just crying to Alex today how much I was missing you - and it's only been a week! So much so, I crawled into the driver's seat of your car in the garage and sat for a few minutes just so I could smell your scent. hahah. Glad to have another Snake Charmer blog fix - the pics are awesome. I'm totally going to Goa on next year's exotic vacation - I dig hippies - hell, I am one! Have fun in 1st class on the Darjeeling...the cows aren't free range on the train tracks, too, are they?

[Snake Charmer]

GWEN
I miss you too. I think of you often and I'm sure not to leave Goa without getting you a gift of "Goa Trance Music" It's right up your ally. COME TO INDIA! It is soooo your scene. I adore you and I hope you are well. Love Adrienne (NOT a hippie)

[Andy Taylor]

Have a fun train ride :)
Adrienne sounds like you are having fun adventures. Enjoy your train ride. I always loved riding the trains when I was in India. Eating in the dining car is fun and you can usually have some good conversations with interesting folk. It is much more relaxing then the bus, too. If you're getting tired of Indian food, some friends had recommended a Chinese place called Sea Green to me. It's not too far from the bus stand. I'm sure you have been to the Primrose Cafe, as that is a fun night spot. Did you get to go to the Flea Market in Anjuna? Think y'all missed the Procession of the Franciscan Order that they do in Old Goa. I think it was the 10th, since they do it the Monday after the 5th Sunday in Lent, but you might check and see if they are doing it late this yr. to go with Holy Week. Have a great time! My birthday was last Thurs. the 13th. When is yours? Happy St. Patrick's Day! Take care and God bless. Andy :o)

[Gwen]

Goa psytrance
I LOVE Goa trance - have several cd's in fact, but could always add more to my collection. Tis why I insisted when you planned the trip to make sure Goa was a stop on your list.

[juliakp]

I am planning go to India, one day, but i do not know when. But, for sure, I will go once! It is my dream trip, everything fascinates me, the colors, their culture. But one day I wiil go.

[David]

keep young, keep an open mind
We have been to India several times and Anjuna once for two weeks, we were in Vagatior for one day only at the end and it has remained in my mind. We are retiring next week and will be returning to India for 3 months next year, Vagator will be a stop for a month after we have spent a month touring the country by train and befor we go to south Goa. You will have had your train journey by now and have been impressed by the efficiency of Indian Railways, when we used them from Mumbai to Goa we were woken up in the morning with tea - in bone china cups!!!. I know India will call you back as it has done us over the years. We have considered buying in Goa to live most of the year but, unfortunatly, unless you are a NRI the odds are stacked against you. Still, we can return each year for a glorious holiday for 3 months. David