My Goa Trip

As the bus chugged its way along, my well rested eyes opened to a myriad of colours. It was soothing, but exciting. I am finally living my dreams, and taking risks, that are entirely my own.

The car ride from the bus bay to back to south goa gave those occassional glimpses of an eighteenth century portugal home, a temple enveloped bathed in the morning sun rays, lots of tall coconut trees and well shaped legs on bicycles. I was already determined to make the most of my time here! Being Christmas, and a predominantly christian population, the christmas carols, santa caps and decorative lights were all out.

Well, Goa is not all about just the beaches, as it turned out! The temples of Goa were a surprise find. Completely off beat from any other temple architecture in India, it does not seem to include even a tinge of Hindu architecture. A mixture of Islamic and Portugese architecture, they were rebuilt after the Portugese destructed the original temples and hence, the influence.  The dome resembles a mosque while the part above the foundation mainly makes you think of it as a church.

Mangesh Temple, Goa.

 I'm a sucker for anything remotely english, when it comes to food, and the German bakery, right across the road, deserves a special mention here. They have everything from home made chocolates, to coconut cookies, to lemon tart pie and apple crumble pie. And it was beyond yummy! (It is 2 minutes away from the Benoleum beach and is to your right. You will mostly find firangs hanging out there)

And boy! the beaches! They have beaches for everyone there! For the lonely backpacker who might want to get some nice company, a gang of young guns looking for action, a romantic couple wanting to spend some nice alone time or for someone wanting to read a book and just laze around. Endlessly long, with white sand, clear skies and blue waters, they are just the tool you need for unwinding.

First day, we did the temples and church (Lucky I got to fulfil my dream of seeing a christian wedding)
We had really great food in the shacks by the night, played a couple of hours in the casino (I'm not doing it again, ever! What is the probability of loosing straight from the time you entered the game to the time you were all out!)

Second day, we got a few more friends, and went to a beach in the afternoon, had lunch (king sized prawns, and chicken xacuti. Food is another amazing thing in goa), played ball. All spent, we went to a great place in the evening called Martins. (This is a must check out place for its ambience, very laid back attitude and some great music, not to forget the food!)
The final day, we were lazing around in the beach, doing nothing, played water sports for a couple of hours (I now know kayaking! yay!) and then went to Club Cubana. Apparently a happening place if you are looking to go out clubbing and meet some hot firangs).

Armed with a disk full of digital memories and heart full of wholesome contentedness, it is time to look forward to the Jagriti Yatra next! Starting 24th Dec, 2011.

Best thing I liked: St. Martins - for the great ambience, attitude and music. They had a dance floor which I made use of too!
Not so good thing: The things that take place in Clubs in the name of Clubbing (individual preferences vary, so it might be the thing you would want to be in goa for ;-) )
Best Beach - Benoleum - You dont get hawkers disturbing you for anything from a massage to a temprary tattoo. The crowd is also less if you are looking to be left alone
There is NO such thing as a bad beach in Goa!

A New Journey...

It has been five years and a  lot has happened since then.
I managed to get out of college, get into an IIM, pass out, and till recently, do a decently commendable stint at work.

And then I am suddenly throwing it all away.

Today is my last day at office. I will not be in those swanky tall buildings with glass facades and plush carpets for another 2 years. And neither will I be spending 5 days a week sitting in front of a computer perfecting the art of appearing busy, making PPTs, bitching about colleagues and kissing the bosses ass.

I am teaching for India. I am travelling across India. I am living India. I am trying to understand India, and in the process, myself.
Contrary to the many confident answers I have given to people who asked me "Why TeachforIndia?" I honestly don't know why. It is not to do 'charity' and it definitely has nothing to do with getting into the hallowed portals of an ivy-league.
But the thought felt very liberating. It felt inspiring.I had a high every time I went to the TeachforIndia site (I still do). I have gobbled up every article that was published about TeachforIndia. I know I had to do this fellowship, no matter what.

I remember what Mr. Jobs said on that sunny blue morning at Stanford back in 2005.

Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life...And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Packing my bags, saying my final good-byes and walking out of the Corporate life. I'm giddy with excitement and anxious as hell.

I may come back to this part of the world, I may not.  I may escape this two year stint without bothering much, I may be scarred beyond recognition. 

But what the heck!

Bhagwan ne ek zindagi di hai! To phir do baar kya sochna. - Silk (The Dirty Picture)