Samosas, Arambol, Bailando

 I packed up all my luggage, left it at the front desk, and headed for breakfast. I went to the touristic Elephant cafe and had a some ginger lemon tea and some sort of local delicacy. It was delicious and so peaceful because no one was there!  

These places in Anjuna might be touristic, but in all the right ways-they have absolutely nailed the atmosphere with the cutest touches on everything they do- a flower on a drink, perfect lounge areas, and photo opportunities. It is really just well done and staff are totally on point- I can now see why people flock to this area… 

I had to leave to head to Arambol to meet my friend, Ashwin, but I was distracted as usual. I saw the man who was selling the drums(conchins)and I sat and talked with him. He wanted me to go to the market with him and I really enjoyed his company, but I turned around and was heading back…. 

BUT distracted yet AGAIN  

A young boy was making fresh Samosas and I could not help, but ask him how long it would take to get those samosas he is making straight out of the fryer. He said 30 minutes, which actually turned out to be 10 minutes. There were all sorts of flies and I think the roof was partially collapsing, but those samosas omg sooo worth it…. 

A guy walks up behind me with a huge pot of Biryani-fresh just came out of the Indian oven lol. I asked him my stupid question, which I already know the answer to,  

“Does this have white meat pieces because I just want the white meat.” He started to describe the biryani process with his Indian accent, “ I take the bird and I cut the bird into different pieces and those pieces are in the biryani. Will you get a drum, a leg, a thigh, I don’t know and we just can’t predict.”  

I tell him that he looks like the Papa of the two young boys.  

He said he is their Uncle and he says he only looks older because he spent too much time in the sun and he owns this “family pack” where he holds on tight to his stomach. He says he is going to go on a diet eating just fruits, boiled eggs and chicken so he can lose weight and be fit for his Russian girlfriend yet he also mentioned an Indian wife. 

I am laughing, he is laughing, the boys are laughing and the customers.  

He is full on entertainment and he enjoys talking to me.  

He says, “You are nice person, please sit with us.” We just continued to joke around and he says that he looks like a famous Indian actor which is why he gets all the ladies. Again, I really have to leave, but I am spending time with locals-this is why I barely have time to eat! 

When the “Are you married? No. Why not?” comes up…it is time to head out. Indians do not want to hear that you are a free bird who likes to fly solo, you haven’t met the one, or you dated someone for 4 years realized he was not your match, left, packed up, went to India….  

I had to end our funny, adorable (should be recorded) conversation and picked up my baggage and dragged it up to the bus stop where I met a nice lady from France who had been living in North goa working as a French teacher. Then I met another Indian couple who were living in Portugal for almost 20 years- they said they loved their country, but they could not live there after living in Europe for so long- I feel you guys!! Shout out to Europe I love you! 

I got off the bus and was talking with the guys in the local store and I met this cool looking guy all tattoed up. He wanted to help me get my suitcase to my accommodation, but he only had his bike….the owner of the store says, “Wait I will help you.” In just 30 seconds a guy comes and I sit on the bike. They place the suitcase in between us basically in my arms and I am shocked that I am able to carry this 50 pound ridiculous size suitcase (that I should have left in BLR) on his bike! I really did not think it could be done, but this guy was so confident that he could do it and 50 rupees later I was at Ashwin’s place.  Bike taxis in Goa are the way they usually take tourists money because to go 2 miles, it would cost like 500, but he charged me 50…the benefit of making friends in all types of places.  how these things work in India-the buses and bikes that pass each other so slightly, the locals overloading motorbikes and cars, and it all just happens to work out…it’s Indian magic. 

 

Under the temple there was a room and that was where I met Yogesh-very calm in nature and kind. He asks me if I want to eat or drink anything.

I tell him, “I am fine thank you so much.”

I am outside organizing my clothing and he comes out with a cup of cold water and two jaggery sweets.  
 

He says, “I hope you enjoy.”  

He has been in Goa over a month and he is looking for a place. Currently he is staying with our common friend. His goal is to open up a Martial arts studio in town and he is one of the only Indian’s who does Martial arts. I guess he some famous person on You tube and he was showing me some of his videos.  

Arambol full of foreign tourists a namaste, yoga, hippy environment. Everyone is “trying to find themselves” through a hundred or so different activities: yoga, tantric workshops, chanting, ayurvedic medicine-everything that is holistic and happy in nature. It is really like this “Zen” place that is great, but is totally not my scene.  

I head to the love temple to have Vegetable curry, which takes forever to get. Ashwin shows up shortly with another friend, introduces me to his Aryuvedic doctor friends” and I soon realize that he knows everyone.  

“This is a small community of people and everyone knows me.” 

“In a good way I am hoping.” 

“Always good vibes.” That is an Arambol answer lol   

Ashwin works in same field (Special needs), but much higher administrative position and trying to make bigger change in middle eastern countries. I am so impressed by his passion and his commitment to the population and I am feeling like a failure listening to him speak like Gandhi…I feel like I am not doing enough, which is something that commonly haunts me.  

Shiva is very quiet, but I slowly try to engage him in the conversation-he said he loves salsa dancing and would like to travel to many places outside of India. He is going to rent another bike as he just sold his current one. He was a very shy and introverted person and when I pick up on those “vibes.” That is when I try to put a positive focus on them and give them the spotlight. 

Ashwin and I could sit and talk for hours, but I wanted Shiva to feel good sharing and engaging with us. That is my strength, including those that feel like they don’t have a voice and they are not seen….. 

                        

I see you Shiva…I see all of you.. 

 

Ashwin says there are so many things to do on a daily basis in Arambol.

He pulls out his phone and has an app and says

“Pick an event you would like to see this evening.”

There were quiet a few good options and I just said I am fine with whatever he chooses. We walked down the main market street and passed by some nice jazz music. I really wanted to stop but we continued onto this amazing, beautiful soul DJ with a saxophone and Indian drums(ugh name). Great chemistry on stage and really a great set with his voice being so calming and relaxing. A guy next to us pulls out these amazing coconut cookies and shares with us-soooo good.  We both have a pineapple juice and sit and enjoy the music and these Britannica coconut cookies that cost like 20 cents for the package.   

We get up and are dancing and then two others join us. His friend from Pune is full of energy and Shiva is also their quietly enjoying the beats in his own zone.  

Ajay is talking about his love for music, going to the forest, raves, and great people. He is very happy with the scene in Arambol and just attended a 5 day tantric retreat, which costs about $500-quiete high for Indian standards.  

We all hop in his car and he is playing Bruno Mars on a speaker he has in the backseat. He is just super funny and we hope to meet again the next day and reunite-always such a great time with Indian guys-just fun and no drama….and cannot end the post without good vibes!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In the Jungle

Going from a city up 2,000 meters to a hill station definitely  does something to the sinuses. I was woken up at 9:30 am by the neighbor with Rasheed on the phone asking if I want breakfast. I think I was literally sleepwalking … I said, “No, I’m fine. Thank you. I went to sleep and woke up at 3pm because my sinuses were so bad Manju came over and he asked if I had eaten anything. I had no phone signal, which was good because I wanted to do a Phone Detox. He gave me the phone and Racheed said, "The neighbor is going to make you some food just give her some money." I was absolutely thrilled because that meant "super homemade food from the source." I took my shower with a bucket and cool water…Something about the bucket showers just hit different… I was about to fall back asleep after my shower and heard kids shouting outside. It was the neighbor walking down the hill to my door with her two kids carrying a big pot of homemade dhal with chapati..heaven! She...
Read more

He said Don't Jump

I was walking down the street from my accommodation, and I hear someone shout, “Hey Pris, Paris.” I knew who that was immediately because he said he wanted to call me Paris. It was my friend Abhi from the festival. I could not figure out where the voice was coming from and I looked up….he was staying 3 houses down from me across the street on top of the bar/restaurant with the famous “fish thali.” He came down the steps and he gave me a handshake. “You are staying here….are you serious? I thought this was my side of town.” He laughed, “Well your place is much better than mine, but here I stay the month for great value.” When I say near, he was just across the street-I couldn’t believe it.   I met someone randomly at a festival who was staying right next to me…in a residential area…near the lake…it was just so random.   I spoke about Abhi in an earlier post-the young boy with the fresh lens on life that had a beautiful curiosity and desire to learn. The mini Priscilla.......
Read more

Rose, I love you!

  As I was walking, there is a bike that appears he says , “ Hello”…   Another guy appears again and says, “Hello.”   I sit here thinking to myself, “Who are all these guys saying “hello.”    Finally, when I see him for the third time I realize it is the same person as he is wearing a blue athletic shirt and jeans ...He was following me on the bike riding very slowly but approaching at different times lol     He sa id , “I love you.” And then I continue to walk away…   He sa id , “Yoga, I see you Gokulam.” Yoga class.   I sa id , “No, I do not do yoga.” He says he is a yoga instructor and I know that he wants to keep talking so he gives me a ride back to his place. We are biking around and he is one of those “shining happy people.” Anything could happen in life and he would always handle it with a smile.    He kept calling me “Rose.”   I did not even bother telling him my name as he was so set on calling me Rose. ...
Read more