May 5, 2013

Trip to Goa - III

Read Part-I and Part-II first. Unless you like to start from the middle and work your way back.
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Can anyone get bored of doing nothing? Turns out, some of us can. Especially after spending 2 days of doing nothing, I get this weird urge to go out and do something. Anything. It was like I had become infected with a particularly bad case of Indianis touristyitis, which in case you did not know is a serious mental disorder which seems to afflict citizens of my country when they are on vacation, causing them to spend enormous amounts of money to do/buy stuff they later regret. Ever bought a traditional multi-coloured 'cap' from a friendly smooth-talking vendor in Shimla, that you have never worn since, because no one in their right mind would do so outside of a hill station? Ever paid 500 bucks to sit on a 'pony' for a ride of less than 100 metres which still took half an hour since the horse walks slower than your president with a bad knee? Ever uploaded a picture on facebook (or instagram or flickr or picasa, it doesn't matter) where you and your 'friends' have struck a weird 'pose' in front of a well-known historic monument, causing terrible embarrassment for all concerned? All that, my friends, is a result of being infected by Indianis touristyitis. A cure is yet to be found for this, although people say staying at home without taking a vacation helps.

Thankfully, some of my friends had a better immune system and were hell-bent on not doing anything. So, we had breakfast and we hit the pool. We had a frisbee which we threw with such deadly aim, that it hit the pool-side bar, the sun-decks (beds?), the other people in the pool, the shower area near the pool, in fact every place other than where we intended it to go. Maybe because we had one too many beers. Or maybe because we are bad at throwing. Whatever.

We went to Britto's for a late lunch, and I had another amazing meal. These Goans sure know a thing or two about cooking. Prawns baffad (slightly sweet, coconut milk based dish) and Fish caldine this time. And beer. And dessert. As usual, a heavy lunch necessitates a good siesta, and so we came back and crashed.

By evening (and evening in Goa means 10 pm), we were ready to go partying. After all, who comes to Goa and doesn't party? I'll tell you who. A bunch of stags, that's who.

Every damn place seemed to have this policy that a bunch of single guys, however geeky and harmless looking, presented a clear and present danger to their lady customers. Now, I have ranted about this before. And while recent events in the national capital and elsewhere have made me rethink some of my attitude (and I do feel that women in this country need a lot more respect than what they are getting), I still think this free (or discounted) entry  into clubs is a clear case of reverse sexism. I mean, ladies, the guy who owns the nightclub is not allowing you free entry to tap into your intellectual acumen, or owing to the fact that your emotional quotient is better. So, your attitude of accepting the perks of your physicality just when it suits you, and crying 'gender discrimination' the moment things don't go your way reeks of rank hypocrisy. And I won't change my mind unless some of you join me in protesting outside those clubs demanding that single guys be allowed in. I am not even asking for free entry, I am willing to pay my cover charge. After all, I have studied economics and I know there is no such thing as a free lunch (except if you are a lady and the lunch means entry into a club). Sorry for the digression, I wanted to get it out of my system.

Business in April must be slow in Goa, probably due to the oppressive heat. Or the bouncer at Cape Town Cafe saw us and decided this bunch of lojers posed no threat to the (later we realized, non-existent) women in his club. But a combination of factors led to us sitting around a table, having whisky and not-so-great food and then we decided to hit the dance floor.

Now, when it comes to dance, think of Hrithik Roshan. And his brilliant moves. And visualize the exact, diametric opposite. And there you have it, me on the dance floor. I can't move my hands and feet together, and my waist is so round that it moves independently, whether I want it or not, but give me some alcohol, and play loud music, and you'll be witness to a sight that'll rank along with some of the funniest you have seen. Or tragic, depending on the way you look at it. And so we danced away, first to an empty floor which soon filled up as people (including the previously non-existent women) trooped in to see this bunch of manic guys 'dancing' and decided to make some moves of their own. In a distant corner, away from us. I had so many beers that I lost count. I firmly believe that if you don't get wasted at least once on a trip to Goa, then the trip itself is wasted (see, pun!). We danced till 3 am, and then went back to the hotel. The fact that I managed to find my room unassisted means I did not get wasted enough. Shame!

Woke up the next day to a slight headache, which meant that the 'get wasted' plan was not a total wash-out (see, one more pun!). Had read somewhere that a long run is a cure to a hangover (provided you drink lots of water), so got on the treadmill and did a 5 km (proud!). The only effect was that the pain in my had shifted to my legs. But I got over my hangover with a hearty breakfast and lots of watermelon juice. This day was uneventful, in the sense we had yet another good lunch at Fisherman's Cove and yet another dinner at Britto's. And of course, I caught a lovely sunset at the beach. And played some pool, which is like playing carrom with sticks and balls, except the balls never go where I aim, unlike in carrom. But I still managed to win because the other guy potted the 8-ball in the wrong pocket. Yay!

And thus we come to Sunday, the end of the vacation, usually the hardest day since thoughts of coming back to the same old routine haunt you, preventing you from enjoying the last few hours. Again, not much to report, other than a very nice lunch at this place called Republic of Noodles, which is apparently an award-winning restaurant at Lemon Tree. Well, I don't know what awards, but they definitely qualify for SRK's Good Food Guide. Which, in case you didn't know, is more prestigious than Michelin stars.

And thus, we come to the end of the trip report. Written in such detail, because unlike some people, I don't click snaps to retain memories of trips. What I do, is write lots and lots of words about it. possibly because a good camera is expensive and clicking good snaps takes some talent, while blogging is free and no quality check is being done here.

8 comments:

  1. Read all three parts. Semma! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:58 PM

    Tou should have danced in gangnam style.
    Safe bet it is,and lessons through utube ofcos.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous9:59 PM

    O Siva re,
    You should have posted some pictures,since a picture is worth a thousand words.
    Or written in verse form.
    And you post on books is still due.
    I am looking forward to it...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:36 PM

    You visit only local spots?
    How many countries have you visited?
    There is always an option to take up a job outside your own country to discover another country and find yourself in the process.

    -Cashew

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like you had lotsa fun in Goa and a bit of 'pun' in your post. ;-)

    Maybe I too should plan a trip to Goa, soon enough. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2:48 AM

    Going out is exhausting.
    I'd rather tell everyone i'm going on a vacation and sleep for days in my sweet home,pigging out,snoring,dozing off and watching re-reuns... Who wants to go to Goa?

    ReplyDelete
  7. @ Sriram:
    Thanks! Your wedding post was interesting too :)

    @ Anon 1:
    Highly over-rated dance that!

    @ Anon 2:
    No pictures. No camera.
    Post on books? What post? I don't review books anyways, and I had indicated what I am reading in a comment somewhere!

    @ Cashew:
    For now, only local. Not going to take up a job abroad. I am committed to bringing light to a billion people here!

    @ Kanthu:
    Lots of fun indeed!
    And, yes, everyone should plan a trip to Goa! :)

    @ Anon 3:
    Going out is exhausting indeed. Expensive too. But I can't order prawns and beer sitting at home. My mom would kill me!

    ReplyDelete
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