Crristmas Eve

Merry Christmas!

I arrived in Goa on the 22nd following a very long bus ride. I was lucky to get a bus in the first place as many of them are packed with people leaving for the holiday. Contrary to popular belief the Christmas holiday is a fairly big one, at least as far as I can tell. At the least some people have the holiday off off of work, if only for a short time. Goa is especially observant of cristian holidays, having been a Portugese colony at one time. Apparently Dec 21st is when Goa was released fom colonial rule.

I decided to come to Goa (which is a western state in India) thinking that the two week break would be too short to fly back to the U.S. and have any good visiting time. In hindsight I probably should have flown back anyway, but given that I only arrived in India in late August, i felt I had to spend more time exploring when given the free time to do so. I'm making the best of being away from family and friends, but it's still hard. It's always harder than you think it will be ;)

The bus here was a few hours late and arrived about 1pm on the 22nd. I happened to be on the same bus as my friend Ria's brother Rahoul and his new bride. Rahoul pointed me towards the nearby bus stand and off I went towards Arumbol, after he invited me to their reception. I figured I could find my way up to the place and hopefully find a place to stay. I came out here after having been invited by some other friends to join them on the 28th. Bangalore was getting to be just too much so I decided to leave early, leaving me with almost two weeks here and no plans.

Luckily I found a small room the first night with some suggestions from a visiting Finnish woman. It was a bit dingy, but I lucked out the next morning when I found some huts for rent along the headlands. For about 500 ruppees ($12) a night I get a great view of the ocean and some space away from the crowds. There's a nice resturant on the rocks nearby where they literally bring you fish up ferom the water and cook it tandoori style for your meal. With a beer, that full fish cost me about $6 or 250 ruppees.

I found a scooter yesterday when I was trying to get my way down the coast for Rahoul's wedding reception. Ria invited me down so I thought I'd take a scooter. Not thinking that I needed my passport, getting someone to loan me one was a challenge. Luckily a taxi driver offered me his personal bike for a $300 deposit. So I agreed and learned how to ride a scooter for the first time.

Now mind you the Indian roads are nuts. It's always a game of inches. Heading out at sunset, I was somewhat weary, but it was fine. I set out as the moon rose over the dry rice paddies and the humid wind kicked up. It was coolong off but I knew I could find my way there, even by unmarked back roads. About three hours later I found the resort where the reception was held. It was a beautiful carnival-like affair with lots of great drinks and food. We danced a lot to strange american covers and bollywood hits. I hung out with Ria and her cousins and told jokes and clowned around like one does at any family wedding. By 2am we were all tired so I was invited and ended up staying at Ria's family's place before riding back this morning. They were really nice and it was a fun party.

I rode back this morning along back roads and through little villages, stopping at various beaches and overlooks along the way. It's a very different way to experience a place. This has been a trip of many firsts for me. Heading out like this is challenging when you are alone, but I hope you can all visit through me. I hope to tell you more about it sometime soon.

I'm thinking of you and I hope you are all having fun together.

Love,
Gabe