Imagine the reaction you may get if you say, ‘I haven’t been to Goa yet..’! It sounds crazy as it is! I know of people who may punish you for saying this!! All said and done, Goa is labelled as a wanna-be cool destination. One of the kinds which if you do not add to your bucket-list of checks before you turn twenty-five, you may end up getting outcasted of your friend zones. Goa is that place which your own humble hometown perhaps keeps envying all the time, rightfully because once you visit Goa, your degree of patriotism to your own land kind of gets a stiff competition. One simply feels belonged. Belonged to a place full of carelessness, courage and charisma…
I had actually planned to write down about my Carnival experience alone, but just cannot help penning few more bits about why I love Goa..
Decades have passed by.. you still find the same old simple Goan feel about everything there. Be it the shacks on Baaga, Anjuna, Calangute… or the same Curlies, Mambos, Brittos… or the bee-line of two-wheeler zooming around the narrow lanes… or the Kings beer! If not this, perhaps that carefree attitude that you suspiciously mask yourself with as soon as you step your foot there. Goa stands for that magical land in India! There is nothing too fancy or extravagant about it. There never has been. For one, I know it is the escapism from reality that people relate to. May be a quest to break-free.
There is an unexplained energy which keeps calling you. For the benefit of all those who have yet not been to this part of the country — Goa is a lazy town lying on the western coast of Arabian sea, filled with its endless tiny roads and lush green paddy fields on both sides. Its classical churches and semi-Portugal houses with mouth-watering coconut gravy curries are things to rave about. Goa is also the lingering smell of fish and a musical celebration of guitar, trumpet and piano. I have been to this place countless number of times and each time, there is a liking that just multiplies. It is a place for anyone regardless of the age, color or origin.
There are two distinct parts to it — North and the South. While South Goa is more orderly or less commercialized, North Goa is where most tourist activities takes place. I have lived at both ends and as for me, each has its own charm. South Goa will bring you closer to the actual culture and Goan people, while North Goa gives you that adrenaline rush. You can rent a shack, hire a vehicle, buy liquor or do any of these things with ease. There are also things like meditation, massages or the tattoo craze that gets you back to this place. Goa is offers you these personalized services at much better quality and affordable prices. Goa is also notoriously famous for its ability to offer the socially inaccessible aspects to you. One just has to find the right nodes to unravel this mystery. :)
When in Goa, you cannot miss Goan xacuti, balchao, cafreal and vindaloo. Perhaps some of the best curries of India, Goan curries are flavored with coconut gravy and spiced up with local spices. Besides these, you can find amazing spread of cuisines from across the globe — be it russian, italian or american. There are other plenty of vegetarian options. For the adventurists, you will find enough and more water sport options. They are the regular ones which usually are seen on the coastal belt.
While I have been there many many times, this year, I planned to visit the Goan Carnival! So the trio — Me, Mr. Husband and the Little Sister set off to witness one of the clinching remains of whatever Portugal-ism we have left with us.
This year the carnival was spread for four days from 25th Feb to 28th Feb, 2017. It is an annual grandeur event that is held since the 18th century in Goa. It is said that the Carnival is celebrated as a welcoming to Lent (a forty day period of abstinence and spirituality). Goan carnival is also believed to be based on the Christian tradition of Mardi Gras (loosely translated — Fat Wednesday, Ash Wednesday). Carnival essentially is supposed to be a festival of feast, drinks, singing and dancing. The origins and nature of this carnival can be traced to the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. Although primarily started by the Goan-Portuguese, now over the years, it has evolved to other religions and populace. The dates for the carnival is announced on the State government websites quite in advance for the benefit of people travelling from outside to attend the event.
We reached there one day before the carnival and could already witness the place all adorned and lit up. All set to rock-n-roll! I had done my bookings much in advance and had the days planned out. If you plan to visit the carnival, figure out the locations of the daily parade as you may have to plan in advance on your travel and accommodation. One reason to plan in advance is also as this time of the year, Goa is packed with tourists and usually found to be expensive.. The festive mood is elevated with huge parades that runs across Goa from Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa. Creative disguises and satirical parodies follow one after the other. People are crazily dressed up in their themes. There are dance processions, loud singing and music everywhere. Participants mostly carry some social or environmental or peace message in their choice of theme. I found them funny, charming and thoughtful.
While I did enjoy the events, I also felt the spirit of Carnival is sinking. There were lesser participants, audience were scarcely and overall lesser enthusiasm. I heard of stories on how the Carnival used to be the central theme that ran two months in advance and natives spent great deal of time anticipating the fun and excitement. Nevertheless, I hope to see this is kept alive and we are able to revive its old charm.
Leave Carnival aside, Goa is a must-visit, regardless of which phase of life you are in. It has a unique way to offering you a plate full of fun flavored with memorable moments!
Hope you enjoyed reading this, as much as I enjoyed writing it down…
Till next time.. just travel!
Cheers!
Sandy
