Journal Entry:
"Goa: I will start with the good parts. Last night was a wonderful night. We decided last minute to go to Curlies, the chill out place in Goa, well in Anjuna at least, on of the Northern touristy beach towns in Goa. Travis got sick and we were just going to head home after a late lunch but he had been talking about this place since we got to India, before even, as we searched through 'Lonely Planet' and other South India guide books. So we went, after much coaxing on my part, (he was sick and tired after all), and ended up at the lounge/bar/beach bungalow right next to it. They were playing house/trance/hard beats and at first we sat and talked to a nice couple from Australia, Bridget and Mark (she likened them to Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy), watched the sunset, then danced in the sand while a circle of candles flickered near by. The holes that made up the circle that contained the candles, also had red dust sprinkled in them and I got my first bindi, the red powder or dot women wear on their foreheads when they are married and of a certain faith in India. (Neither of which I am but it was beautiful nonetheless). I had this really nice moment looking out into the water, dancing, listening to music, watching my sweetie dancing and happy. It was my first real truly happy moment in India. I guess that's not entirely true. When we arrived in Goa, as we were speeding along the road and saw open fields, colorful houses and cows roaming as they pleased, that was a happy moment. And the night before our hippie, beach dancing we went out for pizza, my favorite food, and we were sitting at this restaurant that had a view over looking the water, wind blowing the colorful lanterns and drinking shots of tequila! haha. It was a beautiful night. So there have been good things.
The hard stuff though is constantly hard. Disgusting bathrooms that you shower next to the toilet, shower with cold water, or warm water that drips out of the shower and even when you are done with said shower, you feel a film covering your body? Dirt. Smells. Rudeness. Utter Rudeness. People haggling you, making you feel bad so you will give them more money for a shirt, jewelry, taxi, whatever it is they are selling. We were told by a local that the vendors were from other towns, not Goa residents, and made sooo much money selling their wares in the 5 or so touristy months (imported from Dehli) that they lived in Goa, and the rest of the year, really well off. My favorite shop was one with a sign that said everything 99ruppes. (haha, just remembered how much I love the 99c store in the US too). With this place I knew the price, and though they still try to sell you more than what you want, I can say no, hand you a 100ruppees and walk away unscathed.
Pushing. Pushing against you, in front of you. Pushing you off the road. Sheets that perpetually fall off the mattress and waking up with your face all over the dirty mattress. Hearing, seeing, feeling constant bugs. I think I have at least 47 mosquito bites by now. (47, wink wink, a family joke) Brushing teeth with bottled water. Constantly having to buy bottled water. Being told by Travis I drink too much bottled water. Feeling dirty. Seeing tired, makeupless pictures of myself. Knowing I'm not pretty for this month and questioning why that even matters, here, w/ Travis, alone, anywhere? Bugs legs in my food. Bugs flying and landing in my food. Having to eat only boiling food. Though delicious- we had yummy soup yesterday with noodles and vegetables and an egg roll!
I almost left 2 days ago, or yesterday, the days stumble together here. Everything built up and exploded. It's stressful on the mind, body and relationship to travel in a 3rd world country. And I'm trying to be here, be brave, be tough, be "happy", for Travis, for me; but I fail everyday, every hour sometimes and it's draining.
I know I will come away from this crazy place a changed person. I'm not sure how, but I know this will change me, hopefully for the better. Now, I just feel irritated, but we are in Mumbai, so that makes sense. Kochi will be better...
Email response from home after I sent an email home stating that it was hard in India, I almost came home, but am happy I am staying now:
"Hi Briana, Sounds like quite an experience. Are still in Goa and have you made contact with any of Venk's family? Saw some of Travis' great pix. Really thinking about you these days while you are in India. I think you would have regretted leaving India early before the spiritual experiences, and I will be very excited to hear about it. -Love, Dad"
"...I bet being in a place like that would cause anyone to have those dreams! I would come rescue you from anywhere in the world. Don't ever doubt that...."-Love, Kelly (which made me cry, of course)
"Goa: I will start with the good parts. Last night was a wonderful night. We decided last minute to go to Curlies, the chill out place in Goa, well in Anjuna at least, on of the Northern touristy beach towns in Goa. Travis got sick and we were just going to head home after a late lunch but he had been talking about this place since we got to India, before even, as we searched through 'Lonely Planet' and other South India guide books. So we went, after much coaxing on my part, (he was sick and tired after all), and ended up at the lounge/bar/beach bungalow right next to it. They were playing house/trance/hard beats and at first we sat and talked to a nice couple from Australia, Bridget and Mark (she likened them to Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy), watched the sunset, then danced in the sand while a circle of candles flickered near by. The holes that made up the circle that contained the candles, also had red dust sprinkled in them and I got my first bindi, the red powder or dot women wear on their foreheads when they are married and of a certain faith in India. (Neither of which I am but it was beautiful nonetheless). I had this really nice moment looking out into the water, dancing, listening to music, watching my sweetie dancing and happy. It was my first real truly happy moment in India. I guess that's not entirely true. When we arrived in Goa, as we were speeding along the road and saw open fields, colorful houses and cows roaming as they pleased, that was a happy moment. And the night before our hippie, beach dancing we went out for pizza, my favorite food, and we were sitting at this restaurant that had a view over looking the water, wind blowing the colorful lanterns and drinking shots of tequila! haha. It was a beautiful night. So there have been good things.
The hard stuff though is constantly hard. Disgusting bathrooms that you shower next to the toilet, shower with cold water, or warm water that drips out of the shower and even when you are done with said shower, you feel a film covering your body? Dirt. Smells. Rudeness. Utter Rudeness. People haggling you, making you feel bad so you will give them more money for a shirt, jewelry, taxi, whatever it is they are selling. We were told by a local that the vendors were from other towns, not Goa residents, and made sooo much money selling their wares in the 5 or so touristy months (imported from Dehli) that they lived in Goa, and the rest of the year, really well off. My favorite shop was one with a sign that said everything 99ruppes. (haha, just remembered how much I love the 99c store in the US too). With this place I knew the price, and though they still try to sell you more than what you want, I can say no, hand you a 100ruppees and walk away unscathed.
Pushing. Pushing against you, in front of you. Pushing you off the road. Sheets that perpetually fall off the mattress and waking up with your face all over the dirty mattress. Hearing, seeing, feeling constant bugs. I think I have at least 47 mosquito bites by now. (47, wink wink, a family joke) Brushing teeth with bottled water. Constantly having to buy bottled water. Being told by Travis I drink too much bottled water. Feeling dirty. Seeing tired, makeupless pictures of myself. Knowing I'm not pretty for this month and questioning why that even matters, here, w/ Travis, alone, anywhere? Bugs legs in my food. Bugs flying and landing in my food. Having to eat only boiling food. Though delicious- we had yummy soup yesterday with noodles and vegetables and an egg roll!
I almost left 2 days ago, or yesterday, the days stumble together here. Everything built up and exploded. It's stressful on the mind, body and relationship to travel in a 3rd world country. And I'm trying to be here, be brave, be tough, be "happy", for Travis, for me; but I fail everyday, every hour sometimes and it's draining.
I know I will come away from this crazy place a changed person. I'm not sure how, but I know this will change me, hopefully for the better. Now, I just feel irritated, but we are in Mumbai, so that makes sense. Kochi will be better...
Email response from home after I sent an email home stating that it was hard in India, I almost came home, but am happy I am staying now:
"Hi Briana, Sounds like quite an experience. Are still in Goa and have you made contact with any of Venk's family? Saw some of Travis' great pix. Really thinking about you these days while you are in India. I think you would have regretted leaving India early before the spiritual experiences, and I will be very excited to hear about it. -Love, Dad"
"...I bet being in a place like that would cause anyone to have those dreams! I would come rescue you from anywhere in the world. Don't ever doubt that...."-Love, Kelly (which made me cry, of course)
Happy...
Happier...
As early as Goa I started seeing Catholic and Christian references all around India, I loved it!
Second place we stayed at in Goa, expensive, not sure why, but they DID have hammocks.
First of many frogs in bathrooms, on toilets, in showers, etc. Good thing I grew up with these guys, played with them when I was little and actually find them kinda cute! Thank you Taylors!
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