Goan symphony

A lot of people are worried that my blog has stuck up in some rut. Well, it hasn't. The damn thing is that I had to format my PC. College has just begun and I am regularly attending lectures. Yeah thats true. Sad but true.

Soon enough I shall publish the Goa journey.

22nd May, 2007

Still in Konkan, Goa plans postponed for 1 day. Now this is one thing about backpacking. You tend to change plans like clothes and there is a certain uncertainty about things and plans.It is this absolute sense of freedom that makes backpacking fun. What one must have is a rough plan of travel. There are a hell lot of people who love to be organized and all when traveling. i dont happen to be one of those.
At Osargaon I played cricket after a long time. It rained here today. A slight drizzle but nevertheless the monsoon seems close by. The sad news is that the ipod’s charge is finally over. So without a computer I am going to have a less sonorous Goa unless I locate a decent cyber café up there. For the time being i have myself and my thoughts for company. No wonderful music to give me company.

Photos

shiva temple



i know i am committing a mistake by uploading so many pics up ...it creates competition between me and the pics .. and some people just browse through the pics and say to hell with the words... but cant help words are just those.. words... Images are generally a lot more powerful as compared to words...and even i cant be as good as nature ...

21st May,2007

Early morning alarm failed to wake me up! Grandma got seriously miffed as she missed the bus. She was planning to go to Bhiraonde. Now that’s where she grew up. Its some 30 kms away from the place we were right now.

We tried to get an auto but all efforts went down the drain. But the relentless spirit of the old woman wouldn’t be cowed down. She decided to start walking! And off she went in a huff. Repeated requests to stop were if no avail. Finally we gave up. We walked nearly 4 kms. The spirit of my grandma and more importantly her awe-inspiring fitness at so young {ahem!} an age was exemplary. Finally we managed to find a rickshaw.

At her home we visited a Shiva temple. Now I am not much of believer but sometimes one has to toe the line. As we were going towards the temple Abhay sighted a beautiful heron in one of the infinite fields that surrounded us. The picture that u will see is beautiful and when i actually took it, i never thought it would turn out to be this good. It kind of shows that some of the best things happen accidentally.Bhiraonde has some of the most stunning views of the Sahyadris.The whole greenery and blue skies and everything has a soothing effect on you. But we couldnt wait there for too long.

In the afternoon at 2 pm back at Varavade packed my bags and was off to Osargaon my dad’s home. From there I would be off to Goa. On the other hand Abhay and grandma were off to Bombay.Abhay was feeling really disappointed. He really wanted to come to Goa.But sometimes we tend to keep some things before others and so sacrifice on some wonderful things. But he has what they call a very determined personality. So he did go to Goa, but thats another story.

Vivek the benevolent Gujju had some great news. He had located a Youth hostel in Miramar near Panaji at 50 bucks per night. What a steal!

A view from the top

I feel that the photos of the last post deserve an entire post . So here they are..

20th May,2007 again

Evening came and a sudden feel descended over me! I felt that another longer walk would help me to figure out the trivialities and idiosyncrasies of life. So this time with the fellowship of cousins numbered 4 we set off in the pursuit of adventures. Trekking was what we had in mind. There are 2 hills at about a 3 km distance from our place. We decided to conquer them.

The ascent was not so steep; one again has to be careful of not stepping over innocuous looking rat holes harboring snakes. The climb took about 30 mins. At the top of the hill is a circular water tank. One can climb it and get a panoramic view of the entire region. The Sahyadris look magnificent from the top. Damn if only I had a handicam I would have shot a rock video at that place! The descent was a bit difficult especially with 3 of us wearing floaters and the kid sister wearing of all things wearable-heels!

Yet we managed somehow. We took yesterday’s route again and trudged home in the dark. After 5 kms the little one called out for mercy. She was feeling very thirsty.Somehow we located a shop selling Sprite and again a few divine truths were realized. Gymming helps. The trek was one big hit.

20th May,2007

In the morning you tend to notice one thing. The villagers wake up very early in the morn and seem to be up and working at about 6 a.m.
An important and glaring difference between the city and life here is the means of transport. If you miss a bus then the next one is only after an hour or so. Simply put a few minutes late then you can actually bunk college daily.

Rickshaws have made a quiet foray but again even then it’s really difficult to get one close to where you stay. The telephone then comes to the rescue. A few phone calls and you can have your very own dial-a-rick service. So we were off to the Kankavali town centre to check out the time table and make plans for the Goa trip.

I called up Vivek Shah who was already in Goa. He gave some earth shattering news. He wasn’t able to find cheap accommodation for himself. He was staying at an MTDC hotel at 500/ bucks per night. I realized that I would be bankrupt in Goa in 2 days. So I decided to put Goa plans on hold till better news followed.

Back at home an invitation for lunch at my aunt’s place I had to honor. So off I trundled through some thick shrubbery and reached her place. Oh! The fish cooked over there. The taste lingers. Prawns and Bombay duck fried was amazing, this was topped off with some wonderful curry. Somehow whenever I come to this aunt’s place I am reminded of Aunt Agatha from the Wooster family.

like the flowing river

At the river bed I pondered on a few lines by this amazing Brazilian poet Manuel Bandeira.
Sample these and ponder on:
Be like a flowing river,

silent in the night,

Be not afraid of the dark,

if there are stars in the sky, reflect them back,

if there are clouds in the sky,

Remember, clouds like the river are water,

so, gladly reflect them too,

in your own tranquil depths….”