In the midst of piling work, I stole a few minutes to drift away. Your narrative provided that welcome escape-what with the birds calling their mates, the water buffaloes strolling through fields of paddy....topped by sandwiches, patties and boiled gram at Our Lady's visit! Thanks. I enjoyed your style. Reena
Rodrigues Roy wrote: > Although it was quite a hectic trip -- what mattered most it went very well. > All my dental work is now complete and I told the dentist, Dr. Hubert > Gomes -- of course, jokingly -- I hope not to see him and his staff ever > again! Not that they a bad bunch. They, on the contrary, were so friendly > and gentle and these are qualities one looks for, as far as dentists and > their staff are concerned. They did a splendid job at a fraction of the > costs in USA. Here, we have only plans to cover dental care -- no > insurance -- and it's still quite expensive. > > I stayed with a family in a village close to Margao, where the dentist is, > to make travel easier. I used to mount a 'motorbike taxi' and found it very > convenient. Only had problems getting my foot over when sitting at the back. > I felt old at those times! It was risky business riding but it was the ideal > mode of transportation. However, the icing on the cake, was the village life > I experienced for the first time, with the rains, on and off at times. It > was fabulous. I used to awaken to the crowing of the cocks, the cuckoos, > kingfishers and so many birds calling perhaps their mates. The last time I > heard such a chorus was at Karachi. But, what I missed in Goa was the > calls of the bulbuls and especially the afghanis (the red-bottom ones). The > place turns quite cool after a very heavy long overnight shower that hit the > tiles on the roof as if by vengeance. We had showers practically every > night. When it rains in Goa, it pours. A few times, as the day became > hotter, around three or later, thunder would herald an afternoon onslaught. > Once, it was quite frightful, when thunder blasted so screechy and loud, it > seemed to have landed right next door! The aroma emanating from the land > immediately after the rains was so invigourating. I would love to walk > through a path in the fields of paddy, 6 feet high, in shorts and slippers > and feel the wet grass. It was heavenly. In spite of my short stay -- just 2 > weeks -- I managed to make a few friends amongst the neighbours scattered > around and would exchange pleasantries with them across the green fields. > What fun! I only felt odd I could not communicate in Konkani, their lingo. > Attended once Our Lady's visit to a home. The villagers accord this visit > the utmost devotion and attention. After the prayers, the home people wine > and dine their near and dear ones lavishly. The others depart but not before > enjoying patties, sandwiches, boiled gram -- a Goan feast specialty -- and > a bottle of some soft drink. I used to sit sometimes alone in the 'balcao' > and simply take in the scenery; watching the workmen thrash the bushels to > get the rice off, mighty water buffaloes strolling in a pack, blocking the > roads and a lone boy controlling them with just a stick and some choice > expletives, the ice-cream-walla ringing his bell to lure customers or the > pau-walla (Goa's tasty bread) on his cycle blowing his unique horn that was > recognizable by all. The traffic is a mess. I used to live near the Panjim - > Margao 'highway' and was scared to get entangled in it. All in all, the > village offered a welcome change after staying at the resorts and seeing > mostly the 'filthy' rich and tourists. > > Guess, I have let my memories run wild and there is still so much to tell. > That's Goa. Always, an incomplete story. > > Alphonso Rodrigues > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and > Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events > scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 > > For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------