Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
We both enjoyed a lovely lay in after the few early starts this week. We strolled up to Jackie's to change up some money, took a walk around Vagator and found a little bar called Dipti's that we took shelter from the sun for a drink. We headed back to the apartment and read on the balcony before Abu came in the afternoon to take us to Panjim. The traffic on the way there is busy but that was to be expected as this was the first day of carnival! I was really happy as I was sure we were going to miss this as all the guidebooks said it was late February and previous years had been around the 23rd. This year however, it fell bang on Sy's birthday weekend! Brilliant!!
The traffic was making me laugh as not a second went by without someone beeping their horn. We left Abu and went in search of the stretch where you can see the floats. That was an experience in itself as we walked against mentalist drivers coming towards us trying to find a gap in the sheeting to crawl under. Was a bit fearful as I was worried about the closeness of the scooters and cars but we managed to find a way in. The route takes the floats through the city and over the bridge where spectators line the roads to dance, smile and sing along with them. It was the first time on the holiday where we had a chance to see Goans being Goan.
Not working or selling or serving, just dancing, smiling and letting their hair down. It was fantastic to be a part of and Sy took some great photos of the floats and people as they went past. We moved from our standing point and took photos walking down the road of the floats. Traditional music was blasting out alongside the trance that Goa is renowned for, impossible for me to walk without jigging up the road.
We left the carnival for the night market in Arpora. You walk into the site through metal detectors; which is always a good start! Then you look at the sight that greets you and in short it's immense. Stalls as far as the eye can see, crawling up the hillside, lights guiding the way.
We had created a bit of a shopping list of what we wanted to buy from the Anjuna market the Wednesday before so we went off in hunt for those bits. I could have spent a lot more money and in future I will come prepared for that market so I can get more things! We had a laugh walking around, bartering, the food court looked great and there were bands on in the middle, it really was a one stop shop for a night out!
We left having run out of money and Abu took us to a little Italian called Basilica in Anjuna. Although the food was lovely I wasn't blown away by it and the restaurant certainly lacked a little atmosphere. I think Sy and I are finding that the restaurants that are more catered towards the western crowd are just not juicy enough in Atmosphere; just not Indian enough if that makes sense. We arrived back at the apartment and enjoyed opening up all the bags to look at all the stuff we had bought. We relaxed with a few beers and went to bed ready for birthday boy's day tomorrow.
I'm not sure what date it was in the holiday that I wrote this but I had a few moments while we were away where everything just felt electric. The birds singing, sun warming your skin, watching the sun on its daily journey. Just that moment when pure contentment that fills your heart with tingles, when you really feel alive and privileged to be experiencing your life to the full. Many songs accompanied this moment for me during this trip and they will forever remain special and thought provoking whenever they are played.
- comments