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Read My Early Entries
I have been writing my blog--diary, at www.my-diary.org. Click on "Read what others have written," at the top, and then type in "Paintqueen" in the search box.
May 5, 2008
5:25:40 PM
I'm back at it. I'm now living in Houston. I left San Miguel de Allende in mid-April, to relocate back to the USA. I'm busy submitting applications to teach in Michigan. I'm trading in my days of rest for more days of teaching!!! I'll get back to India probably this Christmas, then in the summer. I love my life there, and want to split my time between 2 continents. Here's what I miss about India:
the palm trees
the sound of waves
the sunshine and moonshine on the ocean
my friends in Panaji, Margao, Candolim, and Mapusa
my wonderful life with Majid
I will be creating a newsletter soon, with all the recent events in India and Goa that are interesting for people who travel, live, and shop in India. Stay tuned!!!
Back in the USA
Sunday, March 16, 2008., 7:26:50 PM
I'm back in Houston, all safe and sound, but with a cold. Coming down on each of the flights, I thought my head would burst. I could hear nothing, but it got better.
These are the immediate differences that I see and feel, just in these last 3 days.
I love wearing these salwar kameez. They are so comfortable and pretty. Today, a couple people told me how good they looked. I was at Trader's Village, a big flea market, and this one woman looked me over very seriously. She is Paki, and of course, she told me how great it looked.
It is so quiet. My ears ring with quietness, especially in the house.
No one talks to each other, unless I start the conversation, which I do on a regular basis.
Ahhh.....to ride in a car instead of the bus!!! I love the bus, but enough is enough.
I can see that it's time for me to be back in the USA. It won't take long, and I'll be wishing I was back in Goa. The best thing for me is to enjoy each day as it comes, and to not compare. No matter where I am, I will be glad to be where I am, right here, right now.
Delhi Revisited
Sunday, March 09, 2008 9:22:08 PM
Our 30 hour train trip from Goa to Delhi was quiet and uneventful. We had a 2 tier Air conditioned, 2nd class compartment. Our compartment had 4 bunks, 2 on each side, with curtains for added privacy. For 3 days before the trip, we tore apart our apartment, packed and repacked 3 bags for me and 3 big bags for Majid, as well as 2 bags of stuff for the house that we left at Gulzar's house to store for us. Majid didn't sleep for 3 nights, worrying and figuring things out. When we finally got on the train, I was up on my bunk within 10 minutes, and had a 6 hour nap. Majid slept about 4 hours, and then we slept well all night, and most of the next day. That's what disrupting your entire life, and starting a new one will do to you. Of course, I got a cold 2 days before we left, but I had no time to think about it, so it was gone by the time we got on the train.
We are staying at our favorite hotel in Delhi, the Kailash Regency, near Karol Bagh. The place has been remodeled, and our room on the 3rd (4th to me) floor is newly painted, with new bathroom fixtures and tiles. We've been in a bunch of rooms here, but this one is the best. We arrived Wednesday night. Thursday we visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the "Parliament House". The president lives here. It's also the seat of government. Behind the huge complex is the Mughal Gardens, which are open to the public from mid-February to the end of March. They were magnificient, as beautiful as any I've seen. Security was tight. No purses, no cameras, no bottles of water, nothing. People just accept all that security. Thursday was some kind of Hindi holiday, so the traffic was quiet, and we were able to get around the complex easily.
Friday, our plan was to go to the National Zoo, but on Fridays it's closed. Who knew? We went instead to the Purana Qila, one of the seven ancient walled cities built here on top of one another. This one was from the mid 1500's. It's right beside the Zoo, which used to be the Yamuna River, which has since changed its course. We also visited the Lodi Gardens, the "green lung" of Delhi. It's a huge park with 2 ancient tombs of the rulers of an earlier dynasty. Everything in Delhi during the spring is so much prettier. They know how to keep these parks and monument areas and the grounds of the government buildings clean. That does NOT extend to shopping areas, even in the better parts of town. I don't get it. The Metro is really clean, and they have guards to help keep it that way. If you took the Metro, and went to southern part of town where the government buildings and the India Gate are, you would never see the "undesirable" conditions most people live in.
Today, we went back to the zoo. It was great. Most of the animals were moving around. The most interesting sight were 2 sloth bears duking it out. We figured they were the adolescents, as 2 other bigger bears were at different corners, watching. I think my favorite is the white tiger. He acted a bit out of sorts, limping around, spraying everywhere he stopped, and, he had diarrhea. He roared a bit to let us know of his discomfort. I didn't see another white tiger with him, but (s)he could have been in the house, napping. There were hundreds of kids in groups. India's population is well intact. I laugh because Indians feel that kissing in public is morally unacceptable, but having a population of well over a billion people is ok. Somebody is doing a lot of something behind closed doors, and I hardly think that kissing in public is contributing to their population growth.
After the zoo, we took the Metro up to the Jama Masjid, the oldest mosque in India. Walking through the Chowri Bazaar, near the Mosque, is like stepping back 3 centuries. No cars on the streets, only bicycle rickshaws, and a few motorcycles. It is crowded, dirty, busy. No matter where you stop, you are in someone's way. They say that all work in India is done 2 hands at a time, and I believe it. Hand carts pulled by bicycles or men carry every conceivable thing to some other location. Huge amounts of stuff are moved, or work done, but just a little at a time, but by lots of hands. It reminds me of millions of ants, just trying to earn a living.
More shopping tomorrow at the market by the Jama Masjid. Things are cheap, cheap, cheap, if you can stand the trip.
Feb. 21
I had an interesting experience yesterday. We were in Panjim, and of course, I had to go to the bathroom. My usual habit is to find a hotel or restaurant, and use the facilities. We were close to my favorite Chinese restaurant, so I went in and used the restroom. When I came out, they were waiting for me, the manager and a waiter. "What are you doing using this restroom?" he screamed. I smiled big and said that because it was my favorite restaurant, and that I came there alot, that it would be ok. He started screaming again, "this is not a public restroom." I smiled big and said, "thank you", turned around and walked to the door. He continued to scream at mef all the way. Customers were watching, and I thought he was coming after me. I guess I'll have to find another Chinese restaurant. I was proud of my self because I didn't turn around and start screaming back at him. I would like to have pummeled him, but I didn't.
We went to a great show yesterday, "Jodhaa and Akbar", a big costume piece with luscious love scenes, great settings, big battles, and fabulous jewelry. It was about the Mughal Emperor, Akbar, bringing the Hindus and Muslims together to rule over them. His son, Shah Jahan, built the Taj Mahal. There have been lots of demonstrations at movie theaters because they claim it is not historically accurate. When we left the theatre, there were lots of India Army people standing around, but no excitement. I find it interesting, the things that get the Indians excited, and other things that they ignore---now that is different from home.
That's the news. I'm getting excited about coming home.
February 12, 2008
1:14:04 PM
I hate to write about this, but I have to, to get it off my chest, so to speak. I hate the DIRT and FILTH that exists here. This value of cleanliness is still high on my list of Western values, even though I can live with a certain degree of untidyness, or clutter. This is not clutter, it's filth. People throw their garbage everywhere, and feel like that's alright. It's always someone else's job to clean things up. Even the government has to share some of the responsibility for this debacle. You can look everywhere, and there are no garbage cans or wastebaskets to be found. It leaves no option but to throw stuff on the ground, and there it stays. Maybe the monsoon flows it into all the rivers and creeks, and does it then all float out to sea? I always have said that Goa will sink in its own garbage. There are some places where it is so disgusting that it turns my stomach. There's a place like that down by the river, on the way to Panjim. I've decided that next year, when we have a car, we won't even go that way.
I like to think that I'm becoming immune to the trash, but I am not. I find myself saying, "why don't they throw it away properly?" What a waste of time to ask why. There are yards that are beautiful, but right beside their property will be a garbage heap, and they feel no pressure, no initiative to clean it up, even if it offends them. Apparently it doesn't offend them. This is one aspect of India I do not understand, and probably never will. The way I handle it is to "look out, look up, don't look down."
I wonder if the caste system among the Hindus has contributed to it. All the upper castes feel that the job of cleaning up is for the dalits, or untouchables, and therefore, wouldn't be caught dead cleaning up an area that wasn't their personal property. No such thing as community service in the form of cleaning the sides of the roads, etc. It doesn't cross their collective minds to protect and preserve the environment outside of their personal space? I want to scream at them, "Don't you care about your beautiful land? Are you nuts?"
Enough of my ranting. I hear my mother say, "There's no excuse for being dirty." I guess I'm just not broadminded enough yet to accept the filth, and not notice it. Maybe I'll get there, but it won't be tomorrow.
Feb. 5, 2008
Nesting in India is not easy, but it's a whole lot easier here than in other parts. We've decided we will get a different apartment for next year. There are some things I really like, the high ceilings, nice windows, big porch, and large rooms, and a view of the ocean, but there are some negatives; open eaves and the lizards, bird shit, squirrels, cats that come inside. The plumbing is not good, no hot water except in the shower. I could go on, but you get the picture. Too much 3rd world for me. We can find something nicer for the same price. We've looked around some, but nothing grabs me.. Oh well, that's next year's opportunity.
I'm starting to feel lonely for friends and family. Thank Goodness for my meetings and my friends all over town. At least the bus drivers and their workers are getting to know us!!! We run the roads a lot, to Panjim and Mapusa and Margao and Colva Beach. With a car next year (a new Tata Nano--$2,500) we can do more exploring. It is beautiful here, and I'm always on the look out for Portuguese houses. I love them.
Just another day in paradise!!!
February 3, 2008
12:28:09 PM
A beautiful Sunday. Today is rest day. We go, go, go. Last night was my meeting in Mapusa, which I love. I'm really getting to know some of the women. They are all middle-class, and the meeting is conducted in English. One is a teacher, and her husband is a lawyer. Another has a spice making business. Another has a dress-making business. Another does all the cooking for a seminary for Catholic priests-to-be. Another has a business processing Portuguese passports for Goans with Portuguese ancestry, almost everybody. Some of them wear Western clothes, others wear salwar kameez' or saris. They are a wealth of information on everything Goan. I feel lucky to have been included.
We are looking around for another apartment for next year. This one is a bit too primitive for me. The open eaves encourage pigeons to nest, and they put their butts over the edge, and dump on the inside of the wall, as well as the outside. I can't have that! Plus, we've had our share of squirrels, cats, and lizards, mostly at night when it's quiet. There are lots and lots of places to choose from, some nicer than others. It's getting a bit crowded on this side of the road, next to the beach. On the other side, there are bit houses, Portuguese style, that rent big apartments. I like them set in a palm grove, away from the street. India has plenty of noise, and I want it quiet at night. I would love to have a small palace among the palms, 2 floors, crystal chandelier in the entry, big rooms, big kitchen with a cook, a beautiful yard with gardener, and live-in help. All this is possible here in Goa. All I need is money!!! It's at least it's within reach. You can go a long way on not a lot of money. The dollar has depreciated 15% since last year, but it is still cheap. Oh well, just get a democrat in White House and that will change.
McDonald's Hamburgers is going to open soon here in Calangute. I can't wait!!! Maybe this one is Goa will have some beef!!!
January 1, 2008
A new year on the beach, lots and lots of fireworks. There are gobs of beach shacks, and they all had fireworks and big doings. We walked up and down the beach and enjoyed all the fireworks. Lots of people out and about. The water was way out for low tide, and relatively calm. The night was beautiful, and I was with my "love bee". What more could I ask?
Last week, we had 2 big adventures. We went to the Golden Circus. A Cirque de Soleil by no means, but it was fun. They had some good high wire acts and some goofy tricks, like shooting backwards with a gun, some gymnastic stunts, and other forgetable things. They did have a 3 eyes cow, with 3 horns, and an elephant that walked around the ring with a girl in his trunk. I was hoping for more trained animal tricks, I love those, but there weren't any. They did have a bunch of midgets (little people), and a couple looked like 1=2 year olds.
Another day we went to Vasco, a big ship building town. I was wanting to see an exhibition on an old train, with photos and momentos from India's "fight for freedom" from the British. We got to the train station, and she told me it had left 3 days ago. So much for promptness. Then we went to another beach town, Bogmalo. It is small, but has a nice 5 star hotel. Lots of fat Europeans and Russians. I'm not too impressed with any of them. I guess I prefer Americans, and I have met NONE while I've been here this winter. This is the perfect place for Americans, cheap, lots of natural beauty, and not overdeveloped.
That's it for today, the 1st of January of 2008.
Dec. 10, 2007
A fun time was had by all yesterday afternoon. The two women who live downstairs have children, and their school was having a big program performed by the students. They invited us to go, and it was really cute. It was held at St. Theresa's Secondary School Educational Complex, not far from here. It reminded me of all the school performances I went to, but with a Goan difference.
The goans are a unique blend of cultures. Most of the names are Portuguese, and their facial features are a blend of European and Indian, making them quite attractive. Very, very few people are overweight,most are slender, and it's not from enough food. I don't see much poverty here. Many of the Goans own land and houses, and earn income by renting to foreigners or by selling big tracts of land to large foreign corporations. There is always lots of in-fighting in their political parties, accusing each other of selling out to the foreign interests. Of course, that's true, but it's hard for them to not sell it all out for the big money. Everything is suseptible to the big bribe.
Anyway, last night the performance was really good and entertaining. I didn't understand much, as most was spoken in Konkani, their native language. I love looking at the saris and clothing worn by the mothers. Most are from a middle class family, and everybody looked prosperous. We stayed for about 2 hours, but then I'd had enough, and so we walked back to the bus stop.The walk was beautiful. Lots of undeveloped land with coconut palms, and pretty flowering vines, and some beautifully well kept old Portuguese homes. I could live in one of those and be happy! The European and English foreigners are buying up these old homes and restoring them.....Thank God! Much of the historic Goa is disappearing.
Anyway, that's it for today.
Dec.8, 2007
From now on, I will be writing my blog here on my website.
We spent 24 hours with no electricity, and that was not fun. I miss the fans the most. All is well today. We rearranged a few things in the house, and hung a pretty wall hanging. I do love our apt, which is really the upstairs of a house, a big house. I love the 3 bedroom, I could ever have a live in maid. I saw ad for a live in maid for 2,000 a month, $50. That's what I pay the 2 girls downstairs to clean everyday.
