Art, Music, Happy Travelers

It was not an early wake up…It was a 11am wakeup as I stayed up late watching the cutest Christmas movie on my big screen TV in my amazingly peaceful and quiet room with my rocking chair and beautiful morning view....ahhhh

It was hard to leave the accomodation as I just wanted to stay and relax, but the Art festival had a jam packed schedule and I was off usually by 10 and gone until the evening as I wanted to enjoy all the great activities and special events for the 6 days.

A venue that was part of the festival was Nagandi Hills, which was a legit concert area with great food stalls and drinks. There was a lovely Brazilian girl selling the Brazilian puffs(ahhh what is the name). The chef from the Taj was there with shrimp, duck, and these amazing mouth-watering apps. There was another famous restaurant with chicken biryani and of course a restaurant with a long line for the Indian favorite-the Chaat(spices with different tangy sauces and this choice of either sweet, spicy, salty, or crunchy…. I really never thought I liked these until this chef was making them and I was totally mesmerized. I was just watching him make each one with the perfect touch.  

He gave me mine with a smile and a wink…and maybe that is why it taste better, but definitely not-these things were definitely on my Indian food radar.  They are considered “Indian street food” so I see them mostly on the streets, which is why I avoid them because I do not want to get sick, but if they are being handmade by a chef or eating them in a restaurant-this I am going to start trying out for sure.  

It was so refreshing seeing such a variety of amazing food at a concert venue as it puts America to shame with the cheeseburgers, pizza, and oversalted foods I totally avoid.  

 As far as the music, the sound system and the overall atmosphere was like something I would attend in California.  The graphics, the sound and lighting, and the whole thing was just spectacular for me. They really spent a lot of time, money, and efforts into this festival. I can’t even imagine the planning it must take all year!  

First band, full of energy and great instrumentals and vocals. Everyone up on their feet and singing. Second band, not my favorite as it was an Indian band singing English and when I am in a country I want to hear the foreign music-the Hindi music-not English-not exciting for me.  

When I left, many of us were waiting for the shuttle. They provided free shuttle service in between venues, which was another huge perk. I jumped in the front seat a group of 4 in the back and then an older man decked out in luxury brands sat in the back. He was complaining that he was waiting too long so I made sure he was in the car with us. The four guys were full of energy and talking about their life, travels, etc.  

Again, these are the moments I live for…hanging out with cool, friendly, funny Indian guys that just ask random questions that are purely innocent, cute, and provide such comedic value while sitting in a shuttle.  

One is on traveling journey at just 21 years old! He is a young vagabond who spent some time in London, spent some time in Thailand, and now he is in Goa. He stays in long term rentals that are kind of like hostels and gets a good deal. He is originally from Mumbai.  

One guy lives in Dublin, and the other two in Mumbai. Abhi, the 25 year old has tremendous amounts of positivity, curiosity , and wisdom. He was 15 years younger, but thinking just like me. If he had a scooter, he would be driving by himself everywhere and he would not get to have these moments of meeting people, which is why he take the bus and rides with new people

(THAT IS PRISCILLA’S REASONING too except for the fact that I really do not feel comfortable riding my own scooter in India(so that is a big factor for me).  

He was literally speaking my travel language.  

“You make friends when you are just on an adventure and not having everything planned out. You always learning, growing, and experimenting and it is just a beautiful thing.”

(Priscilla at like 27 years old there you go). I was in the socially constructed American life for a bit longer than I should have been, but I was definitely one of the pioneers of Solo travel. He was very entertained by some of my funny stories and said that he could learn a lot from someone like me(so sweet and I am never a teacher on how to travel, but we had a special mutual respect for one another.

Abhi said that every moment can be manifested if you just believe that good things will come your way. It was a blessing meeting the guys because we got along so well and Abhi and I ended up staying in the same exact area! Fate or coincidence?  

We drove back talking about marriage, dating, Indian culture, and listened to the new trending Animal song. Indians always have this beauty of wanting to educate you on their culture-it is a quote, a poem, a movie, a storyline, an ancient tale, or just conversation about everyday life. They always leave me feeling like I learned something new and this occurs everyday so imagine how much I am learning and how my brain processes everything.   

These moments are why the blog is called,

“The Heart of India.”

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