The Best Airbnb

 It was time to leave Arambol and head to Panjim for the first day of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023.  

I had left in the morning to pick up my luggage and Ash was standing in front of his house with his phone in his hand. He looked distraught and said that he just received a call that his family member died of cancer. They were hoping for the best as she was in remission, but the cancer came back…devastating for him as I could see his eyes tear up.  

He was still worried about how I was going to get to Panjim and I told him I would be fine and to focus on getting to the airport. We parted ways, which was sad because I thought we were going to go to the festival together…. We just got along really well and it was such a great energy especially learning from him in a entrepeantural way. He was one of those people that everyone came up to in Arambol and said “hello.” He knew everyone and people liked him because he has really positive energy and is genuinely a good person.  
Off I went with my suitcase in hand walking up the road just 10 minutes and I stopped to see Shuma-big belly and happy face where I would buy my daily can of Coke zero. He says that it has been very slow and he would rather be sleeping if tourists were not going to be coming.  

He said, “ I will miss you, but don’t worry every store has the Coke zero.” Lol 

I forgot to mention the Poor Bhaji I had for breakfast-a samosa smashed up with all sorts of chats and stuff on top-unbelievable taste! The samosas, the breads, the curries -very good in Goa!  

So, off I went on YES another bus, but I got a nice accommodation and I also got a peaceful bus ride going to Mapsa and then Mapsa to Panjim-it was just 10 minutes on that bus. I really enjoy taking the bus through Goa-there are like these hidden treasures all over – the temples, the churches, the palm trees, the bikes, the local stalls of food, unique houses, and it is just pleasant. I feel like I want to stop everywhere, but that is really why you have a scooter in Goa!! Like a total necessity and incredible experience.  

I arrived and my Airbnb host picked me up and we arrived to heaven-the young Indian kid was still cleaning, which was a great sign because he got my note about making it “5 star clean.” At this point, I needed to be clear about my standards ahead of time-no mold, bugs, or fake photos-I want exactly what I see in the photo.  

 

This was MY TIME finally! Usually, I get great room(hotel, guesthouse, Airbnb), and I had my one spot in Bangalore and now I had my spot in Panjim…outside Panjim with a beautiful Lake view and full terrace-4th floor. The host was very professional and business like(this became a second home to me in Goa).and I got ready to head to the Art Festival.  

While this was a great room in an ritzy area of Panjim, it was on the outskirts and there was one bus that went directly to the other side of the bridge or there was an overpriced taxi, which I avoid like the plague.  

I made it there for the Food Lab where they talk about local Goan foods and you get to try them. They had incredible exhibits with tremendous amounts of depth talking about environmental issues, agriculture, sustainability, war, culture, tradition. The artists are all from India and they would have their description, exhibition and a volunteer inside to describe the exhibits. The volunteers were excellent all super informative and ready to talk with you at any moment. I sat reading absolutely memsmorized by this book documenting immigrants travel and it is the journals that different artists created with quotes, collages, and paintings. The volunteers are so engaged, involved, and intelligent- yes I will repeat it because that is very beautiful to educate others with such passion.   

It is these moments where I attend festivals like this and I am so proud to be Indian. The Indian mind is so brilliant, creative, and curious. The combination of sound, art, visual arts, storytelling, etc…It is truly a brilliant idea. They had the piano, an orchestra play, and I also headed over to the Art park where they had a DJ and some food stalls up.  

This night is where I came to the local area and I introduced myself to the area-wow what an introduction. Khan shared some bread and chicken curry for me to try and we sat and spoke about Goa and I told him about the festival and the exhibits. I stopped by a Thali place nearby and…the warmest, warmest welcome. They have the traditional music in the entrance and the manager comes out to greet me with his WHOLE team. It is about 9:30pm and all the customers had left. He introduces each person one by one and tells me about their food and their famous thali . I tell him I will be back because  I love Rajasthan thali and they are so kind. I really try to stay true to my word when I tell someone I am coming back… and if I do not go back and they are so kind it will bother me. So I must go back to either try the food or say Goodbye properly….that is something that gets difficult when you make friends with everyone.  

I am just obsessed with thalis in general and could eat them everyday in every state in India. It is a small dish/variety of everything and it is a small portion leaving you to refill on what you enjoy the most.  

After meeting the pizza guys, Khan, and the Rajasthani family-it was time for me to head back yet I was still talking with locals in the neighborhood and it was almost 11pm. I need to just listen to music and look down like a tourist, but I will never be that person…I just can’t stop talking to Indians.  

A guy is driving down the scooter, “Can I help you? Do you know your place?” I actually didn’t but I wanted to find it myself and be an adult lol  

 

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