Home Base at Agonda Beach, Goa (Mary’s post and photos)

1. 
   Sunset at Pallolem Beach, my landing place in Goa.  Beautiful beach but an all night disco party scene!Hello Darlings!

   Yes!  I am back to the blog.  I have been astray from the word and am happy to get the stories started!  OMG! (O My God!)  pinch me, I cannot believe my latest travel adventure!

   First, a little catch up.  You have noted my absence since coming back to India in November.  While I do have a story almost ready on our Annapurna Trek, I have done nothing.  In early December in Bundi (Rajasthan), I was inflicted by a nasty mosquito and was really sick.  Knocked out with what Matt and I thought was Dengue Fever – Broken Bone Fever!  I was incapacitated with every joint in my body in extreme pain!  Typing was impossible!  Energy was depleted.  And the infliction, well known here in India as Chikun Gunia (worse than Dengue), still continues 3 months later!  Could last up to 2 years in the worst cases!  I do think I am finally on the mend, but what a struggle.  I truly thought I had fractures in my wrists.

   
   The curves of Pallolem Beach, jammed with huts, restaurants and people.

   Matt and I have prided ourselves in not locking into definite travel plans as you never know what will spring up and change your course.  Sadly, poor Matt has become inflicted with two deadbeat tenants and has had to go home to Canada (with snow still on the ground) and evict them!  We parted ways on 3 March.  I am continuing with our plan and have come south to Goa, a beautiful forested, hilly country along stretches of white sand beaches.  It was hard to leave Matt, but my landing here has made it easier.  Hot sunny days, green warm Arabian Sea to swim, a palm thatched beach house to call home and a groovy quiet village here in Agonda!  What could be better.  Of course, I am here to work and edit my photos!  Actually been here for two weeks and haven’t looked at one picture!  Today is my first day of work and sending this blog is my first priority!

   
   My first hut on Pallolem Beach – cosy but crammed in off the beach.

   
   My hut for tend days on arrival at Agonda Beach at the Arabian Nights.  An awesome place with a sweet crew of Napali boys who made me feel so welcome!  They are my friends now!

   Now, Agonda as I have described sounds pretty perfect, but wait til I update you on my new home.  A beach hut is very basic and not conducive to getting work done.  I set out to find a house or flat to rent for more space and to get settled for the next six weeks.  I found a complete house with two bedrooms, living room, storage room, a room just for the refrigerator and two kitchens (a gas stove one and a Goan wood fire kitchen)!  And it comes with a dog, Blackie and a white cat (I call Whitey – is that politically incorrect? Well yes it is and unable to carry on with that, I have renamed her Blaca!  Much better.  Now a second dog has joined me and as he is also white, I call him Blanco).  There are pigs, chickens, a huge garden, and a deep stone well! Shangra La!  All for an incredibly low price of Rs10,000 ($230!).

   
   Can you believe it!?  My home for the next six weeks!  Groovy or what?!
   
   
   The laneway from the house to the water buffalos’ yard.  This one has taken a particular dislike to me and shakes her big horns at me when I walk by.  I hope to make peace.
   
   You follow a narrow dirt trail thru a number of properties, our nearest neighbour has a dozen Water Buffalos (one who really does not like me and rushed me this morning on my way to yoga! What is it with me and cows?!).  Our little hood is under a canopy of a palm forest and there is a field just down below our house, which is by the small river.  And if that isn’t enough, I have got a house mate to share all this space with!  A lovely Australian/Dane, Sue, who I met at my morning yoga classes on my arrival.  She has been here for two months and will stay here for another two weeks til she heads back to Denmark.  She’s one of those soul sisters you meet occasionally in the journey of life and know that you are in the same groove immediately.  This is so cool.

   
   My work space in the living room.  Note the Jesus Shrine above me.  The village is a strong mix of both Hindi and Roman Catholic.  The door stoop has a sign “Jesus Loves You”!  Sue and I agreed He did on finding this place. Blessings Everywhere!

   
   This beautiful Sadhu blessed me while waiting for a tuk tuk in moving to Agonda.  Look at his soul shining!

   Wait!  Listen, the lady next door is drumming and singing a song!  On investigation, not a woman, but three tribal men, all dressed up with incredible face painting and conelike glittery hats and clothing on!  It is Holy Festival Week here and the celebrations are on going.  Last night the village men and boys in their regalia of orange dhotis (short skirts) and colourful head dresses went from door to door in the entire village drumming, singing, dancing and doing an amazing stick dance.  Each home received them, gave blessings and food and they did not stop til all houses were blessed.  They came up our laneway at 2am and finished at the house next to ours!  We stayed up to witness the rituals.  By the time they got here there were just under 100 men and boys.  No women were involved in their rituals.  In fact we went out to our gate to offer a big jug of water and they politely declined and told us not to follow and another told us to get back to the house!  Women crossing their line of energy!  Quite a powerful energy at that.  All this on our first night in our new home!

   
   Peeking out to our neighbour’s at 2AM, we witnessed this powerful gathering that had moved from house to house all night long.  An all male drum, stick dance chanting group.

   
   Locals from a different caste seeking blessings (money) from door to door.  My first visitors!

   Yes, dear hearts, I am going to be just fine here on my own in Goa!  Yoga and swimming every morning and finally, getting started on editing my photos.  I am very excited about that.  Getting blog stories caught up is also on the work list.  Stay tuned.   Poor Matt, he would have really liked this space.

   
   I spent my first 10 years at Cow Bay in N.S but never encountered any cows.  The local cows are regulars for the sunset.

   
   The Nepali boys get time off  every day from their restaurants to come for sunset volleyball.

   
   Wish you were here!