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Published: March 11th 2008
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Holy Masseur
Any complaints? Rest and Recreation
After a few days rest in Goa, to let Alberto get a bit acclimatised to the sun, fun and surf, we went on our mini-missions.
Alberto, intrepid travel newcomer, managed to get on a train halfway across India to adopt a girl in Andhra Pradesh at the Vicente Ferrer NGO, with train changes and confusing information, he made it without a hitch, had a great time, even finding time to play football with some of the children and drinking litres of coconut water daily, whilst carrying kilos of flowers around his neck, garlands of thanks!
On the way back he had a couple of days in Hampi, renting a bike to be able to see more of Karnataka, before getting tricked by the bus ticket salesman, ending up in Panjim instead of Mapusa, only a question of 20 or so kilometers, but, a hastle at 6 in the morning, when you need to, first find, then pay the extra for a taxi...
Test passed with flying colours as he got on a minibus with the other trickees (or would that be trickedees?) and was dropped off at our regular breakfast place, where we
Pyramid?
Connection to Above enjoyed our daily dose of fresh pineapple juice and fruit salad.
Are You Vedic?
Meanwhile, I went to get all oiled up daily by two men in mini-skirts in Alleppey, Kerala, the Venice of India due to the canals and backwaters...
My trip in Ayurvedaland was not at all as exciting or adventurous as Alberto's, more of a hedonistic pure indulgence type of paradise stay, as long as I did not wander outside the gates of heaven!
In fact, outside the enclosure, the locals were not very nice at all and I felt like I was really putting my neck on the line at the gruff local barber, not even daring to flinch at his exorbitant price!
The stares were not altogether friendly, to say the least.
As for the two men in skirts oiling me down?
Well they were friendly enough (not in that way!), but, it all seemed quite mechanical as evidenced by the skin rash I had to cure on my return to Goa.
The doctor was very soft-spoken and kind, but, only gave information on my Dosha (body type) after I asked him
River Life
Tranquil waters for it, having to ask a second time for the diet recommendations.
Another ayurvedic doctor in Goa (Yes, I did double check), promptly said I was a different Dosha...and gave me different diet recommendations!
Result?
I eat what I feel like and really enjoy it!
To be fair, I stuffed myself on the delicious food of the buffet, did not get up at 6:30 every morning to do Yoga, nor did I do the Pranayama breathing exercises at sunset every evening, preferring to do cartwheels on the beach, catch some of the rough surf and semi-doze (meditate??) with the setting sun in my eyes!
Three days after returning to Goa, I pulled my right hamstring while catching a wave (body-surfing)... A first pulled muscle in my life, despite playing soccer since I was 5!
I have heard that there are really great places in Kerala that give you a complete and personalised overhauling at a fair price.
I'll have to do more research next time, be a bit more disciplined (arg!), with more time, to get the most out of this very valid Ancient Tradition of healing magic.
Fun in
Doctor Dosha
Colour anyone? Prefer Medicine? the Sun with Friends and Family!
Anyway, I spent the last couple of weeks of my India sojourn zooming on my rented bike from beach to beach, playing soccer barefoot, catching waves, eating fruit and getting a very dark tan!
All very well, but, not very productive...
Man with Vision and Plan
That's when I met Fabrizio at the behest of Giulia, an old friend from Ibiza.
Retired boxing champion, chip on his shoulder, something to prove, very warm and friendly, professional with a passion, doing outstanding work coaching in Goa.
We had coffee while he shared some of his ideas, prodding me about my past and my dreams.
The outcome was that we could work together in the future, creating a whole sports center with boxing, soccer and basketball, perhaps even tennis.
At a certain point he asked why I didn't still play, to which I didn't really have a convincing answer, confused as I am at this moment.
He just laughed and said he knew exactly what I meant, confirming what Zidane said in an interview, about how he still can and wants
My Medicine
Call me in the morning... to play, is also happy about the new life, away from hotels and training camps.
We left it at that, agreeing to meet up again after a few days.
Holiday Game Over
He called.
I didn't answer as I was driving and didn't hear the phone.
He had Giulia call me urgently.
I called him back.
He gave me a number to call.
That guy gave me another number to call and told me to email my curriculum to him.
The next day I was sitting in the office of the secretary of the Goa Football Association, explaining who I was and what I wanted to do.
As I was sitting there, he organised a try out, ipso facto, with Sporting Clube de Goa for the next morning at 7:30 am!
I didn't even have any boots!
Let alone that the last game I played partly seriously was an evening of fun in Durban.
Fooling around on the beach notwithstanding, I was NOT in shape!
I got carried away with the enthusiasm of a child lost in the moment and actually was thrilled at the thought of being back
Still Going Strong
Nature trying to dance away from the ruins of civilisation in a professional environment!
Will I ever grow up?
I sure hope not!!!
That afternoon, I had a rebirthing session (very cool, with a lot of breathing to increase my stamina!) which made me see the more flippant, fun side of life and the whole situation.
In exchange, I gave a Kinesiology and Coaching session ( the first I have given in a very long time).
All of a sudden, I wasn't on holiday anymore!
To Play or not to Play
The next morning, I trained and was very pleased with myself and how I felt, like a child again!
Obviously, the Nigerian coach commented on my stamina (lack of, rather) and said something very enlightening: "A good player concentrates on one position."
Me? One position?
I can play them all!
I have played them all.
Maybe that is where I went wrong as a player, maybe that will be my advantage as a coach?
What next???
What NOW?
We shall see... I'll be back, with a bang (look at the last photo!)
Incredibly India
That is it for
Above as Below?
Birds marking the line India... for now!
I'll be back for Christmas!
India is truly incredible, it cannot leave you indifferent and despite some of the misadventures and unpleasant moments, the overall impression for both Alberto and I is one of wonder, respect and fun, with our eyes open and a shrug of the shoulders if we've been had.
No harm done.
People in India are really struggling to survive and have become ingenious in the most devious ways, which just have to leave you with a smile...
...and it is with a smile we thank all the smiles we received!
Namaste' Bharat
Til next time...
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karuna
non-member comment
mmmm thanks for the photos of Mama! Thanks for the blog, I laughed a lot. Que guapo estas hermano :) un beso, Karuna