Goa

It's true that people arrive in Goa and never leave. It's a trap! You think, yep I'm in India, experiencing the craziness but I'll stop in Goa and then, well, it's a whole other world and you can't help but relax and stay awhile. I originally booked just 2 days, then extended 2 more as I was enjoying chilling at the beach. After a slip in the bathroom I stayed another 2, then spent a night in the bathroom and ended up staying 3 more. I'm finally on my way to Kochi, leaving tonight on the overnight train, in sleeper class....which I have to say I'm a bit nervous about. But, I'm finally getting out of Goa.

Goa has been lovely, but it's definitely not like any other part of India. I think there's more tourists than locals...and more Russians than anyone else. It's easy for time to get away from you as you relax in front of the ocean drinking lassis for less than a Canadian dollar and spending 5 dollars on food per day. I spent 3 days doing just that. Choosing a beach chair and relaxing with an umbrella. It's so hot and the sun so intense that I spent a lot of time in the shade but still managed a tan just walking to the ocean and back. I met other women travellers and we sat together sharing travel stories. One day I had plans to go to the Wednesday market in Anjuna and decided to tag along with a German, a Swedish guy and another Canadian. I planned on taking the bus but they said we could walk along the beach so we started n our "trek". And trek it was, only in flip flops. There is Not, in fact, a beach that connects Vagator, where we were staying, with Anjuna. So we climbed rocks and in one spot a construction zone to finally arrive hot and sweaty at our destination. Did I mention I had worn a dress? Not my smartest move, but then again I was going to wander the market and then chill at the beach. The 5 minute bus ride turned into a 45 minute or more trek that left us hot and exhausted. We still had about 15 minutes to get to the actual market. We took a quick peek and then needed food so sat in a tree house like area of a restaurant. After about an hour our food finally came. We relaxed on pillows on the floor and chatted. I ran in to the market and made some quick purchases before it closed. After a lassi each we decided to head back, by taxi. It was already getting dark. Needless to say my next few days were at the beach.

On Friday, after a lovely meal I was lounging in the common area skyping family when I got up to go to the bathroom. The hostel has a no shoes policy, which I break in the room but not in reception. The bathroom floor was wet and dirty and I cringed at the thought of touching down on it. There was a rug placed a little in front of the toilet so I leapt over to it but it slid away from me and I fell really hard, right on my bum. I sat stunned for a moment before standing up gingerly. I couldn't stand right away but shook it off. A short time late, when I was getting ready for bed, I started to feel sore in my back and my head ached a bit. A friend gave me some pain killers as I couldn't find mine and I went to sleep. I couldn't sleep though and tossed and turned. When I woke up my back was killing me, I felt neaseaus and woozy. Another friend convinced me to go to the doctor after I couldn't eat my breakfast. I called my insurance and headed to the doctors. He told me I didn't have a concussion, though he didn't check my pupils, and that my nerves were swollen and causing my aches and pains. He prescribed some pills and told me "no lifting for 2 days, and lay flat". So that's what I did, I spent the day laying in the common room, relaxing on some pillows. The next day I did a little more walking but still took it easy and couldn't stay seated for too long without needing to lay down. Then....Sunday night I spent in the bathroom. I tried to stay at my hostel but they were totally booked so I moved to Anjuna beach to a Guesthouse. I met some other single female travellers who were heading my way. So we decided to go all together to Kerala. I'm so grateful not to be travelling alone. After deciding that, I could enjoy being in Goa again and let go of the anxiety I was feeling about staying so long.

My tummy is finally feeling better after 3 days of upset so I'm ready for my journey to continue! :-)