Although it was quite a hectic trip -- what mattered most it went very well. All my dental work is now complete and I told the dentist, Dr. Hubert Gomes -- of course, jokingly -- I hope not to see him and his staff ever again! Not that they a bad bunch. They, on the contrary, were so friendly and gentle and these are qualities one looks for, as far as dentists and their staff are concerned. They did a splendid job at a fraction of the costs in USA. Here, we have only plans to cover dental care -- no insurance -- and it's still quite expensive.
I stayed with a family in a village close to Margao, where the dentist is, to make travel easier. I used to mount a 'motorbike taxi' and found it very convenient. Only had problems getting my foot over when sitting at the back. I felt old at those times! It was risky business riding but it was the ideal mode of transportation. However, the icing on the cake, was the village life I experienced for the first time, with the rains, on and off at times. It was fabulous. I used to awaken to the crowing of the cocks, the cuckoos, kingfishers and so many birds calling perhaps their mates. The last time I heard such a chorus was at Karachi. But, what I missed in Goa was the calls of the bulbuls and especially the afghanis (the red-bottom ones). The place turns quite cool after a very heavy long overnight shower that hit the tiles on the roof as if by vengeance. We had showers practically every night. When it rains in Goa, it pours. A few times, as the day became hotter, around three or later, thunder would herald an afternoon onslaught. Once, it was quite frightful, when thunder blasted so screechy and loud, it seemed to have landed right next door! The aroma emanating from the land immediately after the rains was so invigourating. I would love to walk through a path in the fields of paddy, 6 feet high, in shorts and slippers and feel the wet grass. It was heavenly. In spite of my short stay -- just 2 weeks -- I managed to make a few friends amongst the neighbours scattered around and would exchange pleasantries with them across the green fields. What fun! I only felt odd I could not communicate in Konkani, their lingo. Attended once Our Lady's visit to a home. The villagers accord this visit the utmost devotion and attention. After the prayers, the home people wine and dine their near and dear ones lavishly. The others depart but not before enjoying patties, sandwiches, boiled gram -- a Goan feast specialty -- and a bottle of some soft drink. I used to sit sometimes alone in the 'balcao' and simply take in the scenery; watching the workmen thrash the bushels to get the rice off, mighty water buffaloes strolling in a pack, blocking the roads and a lone boy controlling them with just a stick and some choice expletives, the ice-cream-walla ringing his bell to lure customers or the pau-walla (Goa's tasty bread) on his cycle blowing his unique horn that was recognizable by all. The traffic is a mess. I used to live near the Panjim - Margao 'highway' and was scared to get entangled in it. All in all, the village offered a welcome change after staying at the resorts and seeing mostly the 'filthy' rich and tourists. Guess, I have let my memories run wild and there is still so much to tell. That's Goa. Always, an incomplete story. Alphonso Rodrigues ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
