Check this out... I remember the "concrete double tracks" which were also visible (below the tarred road) during my childhood... in fact, one could see these at Arrarim, till a few years back when the road got hot-mixed. FN
Every one of us carried a little "pottli" (bundle) wrapped with either food or utensils or bed sheets. The journey began with prayers at the strike of Anjuna church bell at 5:00 a.m. We crossed the following villages: Arpora, Calangute, Saligao, Pilerne, Verem and Betim. The mud roads in those days were terrible - full of pot holes. Every one of us had to exercise caution while walking barefoot in order to avoid injury to our feet. Our feet then were tougher than present day shoe soles! We carried our sandals and shoes in a "pothi" (cloth bag) to use them in Old Goa, but actually we never used them. Once we reached Calangute, the road from there to Betim had concrete double track. Children preferred to walk on these tracks, but this was possible only in the morning and at night, as the tracks would be very hot during the afternoons and make it impossible to walk in barefoot. Occasionally, we would see a military jeep driven by a "Paklo" (Portuguese soldier) approaching us at full speed and we would immediately leave the track and walk by the side of the road. We also had to look over our shoulder every now and then to make sure there was no jeep coming from behind us. Since there were no hotels at that time, we halted on Saligao hill, opposite the Seminary, prepared a tri-stone "chul," gathered a little firewood, prepared tea in a "handdi" (utensil) and ate "bhakri" (chapatti) for tea. Everyone was focused on the mission to reach Old Goa and perform the pilgrimage at the feet of St. Francis Xavier. With this in mind, hardly anybody spoke during the journey. Instead, rosaries were said repeatedly throughout the journey with a short break in between. -- FN M: 0091 9822122436 P: +91-832-240-9490 (after 1300IST please) http://fn.goa-india.org http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com _______________________________________________ Saligao 403511 website http://saligao.goa-india.org Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
