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From: "Rui Collaco" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Goanet] PPP GDP vs Exchange rate GDP Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 00:34:43 +0000
About your other remarks:
1. I don't think there has been any argument on which is the best place to live.I certainly did not enter into one. But since you brought up the subject, I would like to add that I would not even consider spending the kind of money you talk about in Goa.
You don't need to spend a whole lot of money in Goa. You can buy far more for very little as compared to Europe.
Last time I was there, in 1998, I was terribly disappointed and utterly frustrated. I did not find great differences compared to 1982.All the old problems remained: daily power cuts (even in the capital), "fluctuating" electric current (which is one of many unique features of India), shortages of water, plenty of mosquitoes and the risk of malaria,etc. I went to Dona Paula beach for a dip in the ocean and all I got was patches of grease all over the body, such was the level of pollution of the water, without a single notice or warning on sight. I distinctly remember wanting to have a freezing beer or milkshake and being told that none was available because there was no power.These are basic things that even if you are a billionaire you cannot buy. So how can you enjoy the ideal lifestyle you mentioned, in such a country? Are maids and cooks and drivers all that matters to you? What about the infrastructure? It is virtually non-existent in Goa. I would like to drive on decent roads (I don't even ask for motorways), have a stable and uninterrupted supply of energy and water and live in a reasonably clean environment. None of these requirements can be had in Goa.I landed in N.Delhi and Bombay and could not believe I was at the int'l airports of the two most important cities of India, such was their miserable appearance, by international standards. Goa and India are no match for a number of countries I have visited, all third world, but where I got value for money and quality, and did not have to worry about basics. In fact, the only thing that pulls me to Goa are my relatives who live there.
I was in Goa for three weeks in Aug 2002. And let me tell you my experiences. As soon as I arrived at the airport, a taxi driver smiled and asked me with a genuine warmth "Bai gaadi jai? " I said yes, and we piled into his car. He stowed the luggage at the back and on top of the car himself and actually refused any help from us. Then during the ride, he proceeded to give us an account of the latest happenings in Goa on the political front and in normal life with an easy camaderie and cool. Our stay was great. There were no power cuts, no water shortages, thanks to Manohar Parrikar's efficiency. The roads were great. Some new roads (broader ones to finally dump the Portuguese legacy of narrow roads) were being built between Panaji and Margao. The road to Dona Paula from Panaji is quicker and broader already. The beaches were clean. A couple of times I actually saw Muncipal workers clearing litter from the beaches. The food was simply super.....the shinane, the prawns, the kingfish and the tisryo (seafood to the European, but one can't bunch such delicacies under that insignificant term) were divine. No where in the world does xitt kodi taste as good. And the Oondhe (bread) was as crispy and fresh as one can remember. The people were so warm. We never walked a few meters without someone or the other enquiring : Jeolen?, Aiyz nusten kiden khalen ? Pauss pottolo...bai sothri aha nu ? and whatever. The warmth of the people in India and Goa in particular is simply amazing.
The beach shacks were operating despite all that we heard on goanet about their closure and whatever. And the food and hospitality was great. The Panaji market was clean and the fruit and veg vendors actually had fans and lighting over their heads. The Margao market was real cute although some fish vendors did abuse it by selling outside instead of within the building premises.
The ferry boat rides were as much fun as usual. We even did the Mandovi cruise this time and enjoyed singing the mandos and peppy songs. The visits to the temples and churches were very pleasant. The relatives were as loving as ever and the old maids were as caring. It was super to catch up with our old friends and we had some great times. The Govt. offices were functioning better and my visit to the Agricultural Dept left me realling admiring the great service I received. Things have changed on this front for sure.
We had a super duper time. All in all, my four year old is still berating me for leaving Goa. Goa is true paradise but some of us cannot recognise it. Is there anything more to be said ?
2. I wish to assure you that I don't have the slightest intention of moving to the US, inspite of its superpower status. I would never trade Europe for America. I don't get impressed with skyscrapers and aircraft carriers, I hate junk food and prefer to have wine at meals, rather than coke. I prefer a continent where people don't go around with guns, and cowboys don't run for presidents, and cars are not gas-guzzlers. I prefer a continent where there is heritage, monuments, castles, medieval towns, history and tradition. You ask in Europe how many people want to move to America.You wouldn't form even a small army with them. It is very pretentious of you to say that those who settled in Europe made a "terrible mistake".Maybe such an assertion is understandable from people who go from India to the US (perhaps your case). Indians tend to be fascinated with America, for obvious reasons. Europeans don't. I live in Lisbon, Portugal, and have a very good life. I enjoy one intangible thing which you may never have heard about: the pleasures of european living. If you ask some cultured Americans who have lived in Europe about this you may come to learn a couple of things about "relatively backward Europe".
OK - US is not a patch on Europe. But Europe is not a patch on Goa. After all where in the world can one get a place where the weather is normally super, the people are warm, the environment is beautiful, the lifestyle is cool, the food is divine, the service is cheap but good, the cost of living is relatively low, the standard of living is quite good and the fun level in people's life is pretty high ?!!!
Sunila
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