… a real trip…

Past couple of weeks were super intense, to say the least!  I always considered myself expert in packing but this time it was quite overwhelming. Who would have thought we accumulated so much stuff?  Final count: 15 boxes plus suitcases, bags and rucksacks. In the end I felt like a crazy hoarder from some crime serial – discovered buried by her possessions. 

The only piece of furniture we took with us was our beloved red beanbag chair – completely impossible to pack. Since we weren’t particularly keen on carrying it in hand, finally we decided to use thermocol beans to pack and protect more delicate things in the boxes. Idea good in theory, not so much in reality... Nothing came broken but unpacking was a nightmare.  It got into every smallest whole and getting it off our stuff was nothing short of impossible. Plus, it was flying around with the slightest waft of air. Soon the whole floor was covered with very mobile white balls. It looked like endless string of pearls spilled all over. That, or some extremely interactive insects. I swear I was half convinced they came to life - the way they were hiding, running away from the broom and reappearing in unexpected places.

We left Delhi at the crack of dawn just when the sky was turning this breathtaking shade of teal. It was nice, really, to take the last look at the city when it was still dark enough to cover all the dirt and damage, before the daily crowd hit the roads. I could barely recognize it! We drove through embassy district while it started to drizzle. Garden lamps twinkled at us like row of tiny moons hiding behind exotic bushes.

Of course the romantic aspect of dewy first blush was very much gone, when suddenly we had million bags getting wet before 30 hours journey.

We decided to take the train instead of the flight in order to move everything at once. Though our whole luggage was traveling in some other section of the train, we still had a lot of things with us. We booked first class tickets and got lucky getting private compartment. It was something out of old movies or novels… like Orient Express or Marilyn in Some like it hot! 

On the station two kuli – luggage men, constructed suitcase towers on their heads and threaded their way to the platform with unbelievable speed. It was quite impressive to observe as we tried to follow them. Later on it was business as usual: chaiwalas – tea boys – shouting: chai garam garam, chai!; men wearing chains like necklaces and jingling padlocks (for luggage protection); polite waiters taking orders for meals during our journey… we could indulge in all the comforts Indian railways have to offer.

Unpacking proved to be even more time consuming then packing. I’m slightly embarrassed to say that my clothes are still neatly distributed around the guestroom. There are so many fascinating things to do around here that sitting at home just seems like a waste of time. Every day we jump on a scooty and explore neighborhood. There are plenty historical sites around, enormous river with charming islands and ship – casinos and, of course, the beach!

We made few trips to the municipal market and fish market. I just love this idea; wandering between fruit and veggies stalls with the basket on my arm! The fish shopping is an adventure on its own. You have to get up with the sun, drive to the city and then hunt for the sea monster you are planning to fight with in the kitchen. Since, till now, all the sea food I dealt with was cleaned and frozen, canned or nicely packed with ice, I had to do my research before stepping on the arena. I decided to start with medium sized shrimps, calamari and clams. Shrimps were a piece of cake to clean, calamari, though quite disgusting, were easy enough, but the clams remain a mystery to me. 

Apart from seafood, the weather in Goa is a big discovery. I was always told that, when the monsoon hits the land you should run and hide. Well, first of, for quite a white it was lovely, sunny and warm. It started raining couple of days back and, at a risk of sounding rather eccentric, I love it! For nearly 5 years now I haven’t had normal rainy autumn. Sure it poured in Delhi but it was an hour of shower followed by hot steamy day. It’s so nice for a change to have this cold, gray day when all you want to do is cozy up with your blanket, cuppa tea and good book, and just listen to the gentle pitter-patter. Though it also means I should get on with unpacking, since daily trips are no longer an excuse!

Unpacking and packing both, actually. We are just getting ready to leave for Delhi where we are picking my cousin from the airport. I’m about to spend two weeks backpacking around Rajasthan! Quite exciting perspective since I haven’t done that for about 5 years!