Itwas about seven years ago that I went to Goa with my family, and our subsequent occasional visits had always been in July and August. To some, this may not be the most opportune time because it happens to coincide with the rainy season (the "monsoons") which brings along with it the usual minor bouts of stomach upsets and colds, with people from the Western countries being rather more vulnerable. My early retirement this year, however, meant that I could give myself a little treat and this time I visited the Motherland from the end of January to the end of February. Goa is simply delightful at this time of the year. Not only have you escaped the ice-box that is Canada-in-February, but you can now bask in glorious, spring-like weather all day long ... and if you are up for it, treat yourself to some really hot temperatures on the beach at around mid-day.

In Goa, we ensconced ourselves at our ancestral home in Parra, Bardez. A beautiful, two-storeyed house, with modern facilities rebuilt by my mother-in-law. It boasts a huge white wall that, in turn, encloses a vast land where coconut trees, bananas,cashews, bougain villeas and crotons thrive in abundance. Here we were awakened by the chirping of the birds, the crowing of the roosters and the bicycle horn of the 'poie-man"! Where else but in Goa can you get hot, crusty bread delivered right on your doorstep? First on the day'sagenda was always a long, lazy walk, when we could embrace the cold morning air, take in the sights, sounds (and smells) and witness for ourselves day-to-day village life.

A highlight of our visitwas, of course, spending time in the enchanting resorts in both North and South Goa where we strolled some of Goa's delightful sheltered,white beaches with sand as fine as flour. Lying on the comfortable sunbeds, umbrellas shading you from the mid day heat, one hears nothing but the sound of the warm waves gently flirting with the shore and the breeze softly whispering through the palms. And then of course there isalways the V.I.P. treatment from the young lads who work in the shackson the beach ... gracious, helpful and armed with a perpetual smile. Theyare ever willing to wait on you hand and foot, whether it is opening your umbrella, tilting it at an angle to shade you from the sun, orinstantly producing any drink your heart desires.

There is muchto catch your fancy while you loll on the beach. In addition to the clutch of tourists strolling the warm white sand, there are the vendors hawking their wares. The women are colourfully dressed, delicately balancing baskets of fresh fruits on their heads, or selling swimsuit cover-ups, trinkets, coconuts, watches, hats and so much more. And if it seems to rub you the right way, a good massage can be obtained at areasonable price ... performed right on the beach! I recall a huge Indian elephant colourfully adorned, at one side of the beach, away from theheat, with his owner just as flamboyantly attired, beckoning passers-byto pose for a photograph for just ten rupees (a quarter or so in Canadian currency!). Some days, a cow all dressed up, with its owner playing the flute, would compete for our attention!

Lolling on the beach, sitting under your umbrella, getting lost in your book orjust watching the world go by can be hungry work! Well, the food shacksjust behind the sun beds are the perfect antidote for your ravenous appetite. You can feast on the most exotic meals even as you bask onthe cusp of the Arabian Sea ... from tiger shrimps cooked any which way,to chicken biryani, pomfrets, mackerels ('rechia-style'), fish cutlets and lots more. You sip your beer or your feni, secure in the knowledge that, in the shack just behind you, your food is being freshly prepared... and that the final offering will be piping hot, tasty, and above all,fresh! Finally, to top it all off, there was always the fruit salad which invariably comprised papaya, mango, grapes, oranges and strawberries.

Away from the beach we were quite adventurous and tried to get the "feel" of Goa by indulging in every mode oft ran sportation we could: rickshaw, taxi, bus, ferry and even cruiseboat. All this made for an enjoyable experience and one to be savoured.

Torecount just one specific experience, our visit to the Spice Plantation in South Goa can serve to typify the mystic beauty of our Motherland. At the entrance we were greeted with a red dot placed on our forehead and flower petals sprinkled on us. We sat at a table and were offered a tender coconut each, accompanied by a sip of feni that had been heated up with a flame (this way, it was explained to us, feni could be medicinal!). We were then walked through a guided tour of the tropical plantation at which time the medicinal use of spices was very carefully and painstakingly outlined to us. This was followed by a sumptuous meal, served on banana leaves and cooked in clay pots to enhance theflavour. Truly, a delightful, memorable experience!

It is no secret that Goa is increasingly a magnet for tourists. The land, once described as "The Rome of the East" and "A pocket of Portuguese charm thriving in Indian's mystic land" is now the favourite haunt of visitors from all over Europe, and, in particular, from England,Germany, Iran and Russia. They know only too well that it is in this haven that one can come to terms with nature, with one's soul, and with oneself. In short order they have discovered the place, learnt the customs, try to speak the language and have fallen in love with the people! It is a curious irony that while a number of Goans in Canada and elsewhere tend to drift away from our Motherland and their children lean towards disavowing their heritage, it is the foreigners who are not only discovering Goa's innate beauty and majesty, but also capitalizing on this increasingly-found awareness. If that is not enough, foreign currencies go a long way in Goa today with the British pound coming in around 84 rupees and the Canadian dollar at around 34! Indeed, in my own village of Parra, I have been an uncomfortable witness to foreigners purchasing old, abandoned ancestral homes for a song and proceeding to renovate them. Why? So that they can live for six months in Europe and six months in Goa!

I am penning this article on Goa to heighten the awareness of Goans in Canada to the attractiveness, beauty and charm of a land that is truly our own. Instead of making Florida, Mexico or Cuba our invariable destination,why don't you try travelling with your children to sunny Goa for a memorable vacation? An added bonus is the forthcoming exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier which will be held from November 21, 2004 to January 2, 2005, an event that occurs every decade. As we know, St.Francis Xavier, our Patron Saint, came to Goa in 1542, as a Jesuit missionary, preaching and ministering to the sick. His body remained miraculously fresh for nearly 125 years after his death (although nowwe use the term 'relics' and not 'body'). What could be better than combining a holiday in sunny Goa and paying homage to the greatest missionary since the time of the apostles?

One final thought:On one of my enchanting, nostalgic strolls in Goa, a signboard outsidea restaurant caught my eye ... from my month-long perspective it seemedto say it all:

"GOA - Tastes to Relish

- Memories to Cherish"

 

Return to the Motherland ....

Take the time to make a dream come true!