Goa, India

Goa, India. Goa is not a city. It is a state. Goa was ruled by Portugal until 1961 and of course has much of it’s architecture and influence. Though there was some, we did not see nearly as much poverty here. However: There was one area that was as bad as any we have seen.

We were docked in a beautiful area, not. This was a port of almost all iron and magnesium shipping. Mountains of ore were everywhere and the minimal old dock was filthy.

We had a whole ship, segment event today. The ship was allowed to dock an hour and a half late. We were due at the Taj Exotica Hotel for lunch but did not get there until 3:00 PM.

Just about every passenger was going. We could see buses lined up forever. We had to walk a couple hundred yards to get to these buses and some of it through slop, especially where we boarded the buses. It was an hours ride to the hotel and we were given a tour on the way. Before we left there was another long delay. Jamie the cruise director lied and announced they had closed the port for lunch but they got them to re open it. The truth was the cabs have a very strong union and they all lined up and would not let the buses pass. They were insisting that taxis be used instead. It took a while and a lot of officials to frighten them away.

Once at the hotel we were disembarked at the bottom of a small hill leading to a bridge and around a driveway to the lobby. After walking a few hundred yards several other buses drove right up to the lobby, as did our now empty bus. Real smart. March mostly 150 year old people up hill a few hundred yards in the hot sun when it’s close to 100 degrees out.

The lobby was beautiful and looked like something from an old movie. We walked through the huge lobby and out to the grounds in the rear. There were all kinds of games, features, people in costume and decorations, but all out in the hot sun. There was face painting, palm reading, magic acts, tarot card reader, limbo dancers, and on and on. Very pretty, very nice, very hot.

Lunch too was outside. Some tables were in the sun and some under cover. The food in the buffet was also outside but under cover. Muriel and Art arrived before us and had found a small area indoors and air conditioned a little. They had grabbed a table for us also. It was hard to keep seats when someone went up to get food. People would come up and try to sit down even though there were drinks and belongings both on the table and right on the chairs.

The wait staff was very friendly and efficient. Mostly the food sucked. The only thing any good was some kind of rice cake that was sweetened and taste like coconut and the beer was good too. Again it was all Indian food but modified to what someone thinks will be better for westerners. I have been to many good Indian restaurants over the years. There are many things we have all liked. Why they can’t just contact one of the more successful restaurants in the States and find out what they sell the most of, is beyond me. We barely had time to eat, pee, and then leave as the ship was due to leave at 5:00 PM and it was another hour drive to get back.

We went back in a different bus. The air conditioning in these buses was not great but did keep us from constantly sweating. The roads were all well paved but not nearly up to the standards in the US. Even brand new roads were rough.

We went back a different way. We went past an area of huge new homes and many more were being constructed. Instead of going through the city we were mostly on a divided 4 lane highway. It was faster but obviously longer as it took the same amount of time.

This place had much friendlier people. We did not see street vendors anywhere. As you went by, people and especially kids, would smile and wave at you.

Once back at the ship the big event was a couple of stray dogs at the bottom of the gang plank. One was a female, medium size, tan dog that looked a lot like a lab. The big sad eyes are what did it. That and the fact they were very skinny. Someone had thrown a cracker to the female. She must have never seen one before as she very gingerly snuck up on it and then tasted a corner. She decided it was definitely dog food and ate it right up and went looking for crumbs. Later one of the women from the ship brought out a cup and a bottle of water which she poured into it. At first the dog had no clue what it was but soon figured it out and drank it. The other was a smaller black dog that had a broken leg. It was far too timid to go near. Obviously people had been mean to it. Someone else came out with some kind of food for the dogs and finally the black dog too got up enough courage or more likely, hunger, to come up and eat the food. As the ship was pulling out from the dock, the two dogs watched with wagging tails, as if to say thank you.

Naturally Bobbi was crying when she first saw the dogs and again as she watched them say goodbye and thank you. Begging people she is used to, but not poor dogs.

Dog Story Sherm Out

(Posted on behalf of Sherman Rootberg)