Goa Goa Gone

There are small slices in the sides of the coconut palm. They ladder up on opposite sides, about an inch deep and about 1 foot apart heading up all the way to the prize, sweet delicious hairy brown coconuts. I watched from our deck as the coconut boy wold climb up each one to make sure none brained me or C later on, this is the life.

Goa is a beautiful slice of beachy jungle touching on the Arabian Sea. Palms jut out over the sand as if pointing their way to the water. Holed up at Ciraran's Camp in an elegent bungalow it was breakfast, sunning, lunch, sunning, shower, shopping, dinner and done on the schedule. Simply marvelous. Warm waves of air pass over me, a drink by my side a slip off my sandals and dip my toes into the sand. Paradise!

Well, I shall have to add a touch of grey to my sublime. The Arabian sea is not so crystal clear, a murkier green blue will do fine, and the beach is of the darker sand variety - hardly worth noting but yours truly got sick. Don't call in the helicopter I'll be fine. A simple sinus infection meant antibiotics from the local chemist (pharmacist) at a price that would make my compatriots gasp (about 3 dollars). However, the down side of pills is less sun, so C soaked up the rays and I nestled under the parasol with a biography of my hero, Alan Greenspan.

Goa is richer than the rest of India. A former Portugese colony, it has an air of their flavor that lingers on. There are less taunts to deprive you of your money, though still some. People have homes by the large and life is a little calmer for C and I. The beach is wonderful and our accomodations are top notch. I add a page to the mental rolodex of beaches that C and I adore, this one alas located shot round the other end of the world from my Chestnut street home - oh well, if you're in India it's worth the Rupees.

And so, with a bow, I leave India. C said it best to me. To paraphrase India is worth the trip, but incredibly challenging to travel in. One may not lower their guard, for it will be exploited. It has beauties and treasures of the past, but it also has problems - large and imposing ones. One can't leave without the feeling that things will be very different soon. Forces of globalization have set in here, and one only takes a short walk on any street to see the 21st century, and then the 19th.

Goodbye India.

So now I imagine the opening sequence to a game I beloved as a youth. 16 bit Super Nintendo console by my side I insert the cartridge and it begins. Street Fighter 2 flashes on my old television, my selection of fighter is upon me - and as I choose a mini plane appears headed for a oddly bent Siamese Country - and the voice of the machine proudly belts out with a gong.

THAILAND!