Questions you should never ask someone you meet in Goa...

My time in Goa flew by – who knew 3 months could go by so fast?  Now in Delhi, I've spent some time reflecting (and trying to remember) exactly where the time went.  Aside from dabbling as a Bollywood/ Bhangra DJ and dance instructor, I spent a lot of time exploring by scooty, watching the amazing sunsets (I know, I know, but they were so beautiful!), and hippy-ing out at the drum circle (who knew the djembe was so awesome?  ...now I do because I own one!)

Goa is state of mind more than anything.  Those who go there for the 'season' or longer than a short drunken holiday, really find like-minded people and a vibrant culture cultivated by those who have really invested in the 'goan culture' – the artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and adventurerers are everywhere.  Goa is also just plain fun, no matter how you look at it (remind me again why we say too much fun is a bad thing?)  One of my favorite things about Goa (aside from the amazing things that happen when my hair is exposed to saltwater every day) is the openess and judgement-free attitude – anyone can try anything (obviously this opens the gates for touts and frauds and crazies but it also gave me a platform to try things that I would have been wayyy too scared to do anywhere else).

It's hard to explain more than this, so instead I suggest you go there yourself to discover your own Goa, but whatever you do, definitely rent a hut on the beach (relax, some even have wireless).  Don't worry about what to do or what to say, but here are a few things not to say to be sure to gel with the hippies. A few questions you should never ask someone you meet in Goa...

6.  Are you a DJ?  (Because actually, every 2nd person is one!)

5.  What was Goa like in the [insert different decade here]? (You'll just feel depressed you missed Goa at its peak.)

4.  What do you do? (...to sustain this lifestyle for half the year).

3.  How many kids do you have at home?  (Or, are you running from anything else that I don't really want to know about?)

2.  Where are your shoes?  (I told you, it's a state of mind.  But, no, really, try walking around sans shoes.  It's so liberating!)

1.  OK, forget the shoes, but where are your clothes?  (...as opposed to the hippy ones you now wear OR, more likely, the ones that actually cover your body that you used to wear when you came from wherever you came from).

But, remember, it's totally acceptable for anyone and everyone to ask a person their age, because afterall age is just a number and it doesn't necessary 'correlate' like we think it would with question #4, which is obviously taboo.

As they say in Konkani (the official language of Goa), oh wait, I didn't learn any Konkani (I'm actually quite disappointed in myself for that one).  Anyway, as they say on the Goan beaches, shanti shanti!

3 things I miss about the Chenz

3.  Filter Coffee.  (I.hate.Nescafé.)

2.  Besant Nagar.  (It was like IFMR college)

1.  IDLY!  (Obvi.)

***

Hello from Goa!

I've been living in this bamboo hut+ (complete with a bathroom, electricity and wifi!) and will probably stay through February (or until I get bored, super famous or run out of money).

I'll be blogging regularly (again!).  My long (and romba pathetic) absence can be attributed to laziness, summer wedding(s) and being, well, jobless (it's funny how the more time you have, the less you actually have!)

As 2011 comes quickly to a close (ahh! can you believe it?)  I look back on this year of transition. Although I did not spend nearly enough time with family and friends back in the US, my year in India has been wonderful and full of amazing new and dear friends, newly developed hobbies like cooking (does mint chutney count?) and DJing (say hello to Arambol's only Bollywood & Bhangra DJ, DJ Rani!), and many many many adventures (and just as many misadventures) in navigating Chennai's dating scene, planning the future (including maintaining a positive bank balance), throwing crazy theme parties, experimenting in randomness (5 am yoga, composting, GMATing, OCI mishaps, avoiding Indo police & life sans Facebook) and of course, exploring my inner hippy.

Here's to wishing on a star (wahhh wahhh) for an even more exciting 2012!

Why I am already planning my 3rd Sri Lankan vacation...

Yes, yes, this was my second trip to the island nation of Sri Lanka in less than one year.  While the first time I made the mistake of spending only three days exploring the southwestern coast of the island, I quickly made another mistake this trip by spending my five day vacation along the same coastline, without exploring any of the other sites.

What can I say?

The short 1.5 hour flight from Chennai to Colombo is the perfect escape allowing just enough time to enjoy all of the wonderful beachy things like delicious grilled jumbo prawns, clear blue-green water, and crazy dance parties.  The amazing breakfast buffet at the Galle Face Hotel and the locally brewed ever-so-popular beverage, Arrack, are not too bad either.

The five reasons below are why I am already planning my 3rd Sri Lankan vacay... maybe for 8 days... Who's in?


5.  The Milky Way (no, not the candy bar).
I'm not 100% convinced that it was the Milky Way we saw in the night sky, but regardless, it was one of the most gorgeous starry skies I've seen in a long time.

Coupled with the sound of crashing waves, the starry sky at Unawatuna beach was a not-so-subtle reminder of the beauty, serenity and power of nature.

The tequilla shots probably played a role, as well.


4.  The People (yes, still).
From the tuk tuk drivers to the newly published young poet we met on the train back to Colombo and from the Czech scuba divers to the guest house owners, everyone we met was super friendly, helpful and romba interesting.

Also, SL is the one place where being from India is actually an advantage – as soon as we said 'India' every Sri Lankan beamed and exclaimed, 'We're neighbors!' and then promptly offered us pillows for our beach chairs and a discount on the room tariff (amounting to precisely half of what the Brits next door paid).

Holla slash sorry.


3.  The DJ (I'm not sure he felt the same about me).
The super nice (and gullible) DJ welcomed me onto stage with open arms when he heard I was Chennai's #1 DJ (blame/applaud Namrata for that one).

The club could definitely not handle me on Friday night.

After awkwardly figuring out how to use the mix CD's with the mixers and turntables, I played some of my fav hip hop songs (ok, fine, with the help of my DJ friend).

I'm pretty much an international DJ though... right?!


2.  The Double Rainbow (yes, it was just like the youtube vid). 
On our last evening in Lanka, Namrata calls me to the window to show me what she thinks is an amazing single rainbow.  At closer glance (and freakout session) we realized it was a double rainbow.

A DOUBLE RAINBOW.

What does this mean?


1.  The Turtle (no, not of the awkward kind).
After the ocean ate my purse (and everything inside it, including my camera) we all began the search for my lost memories.  (Btw, apparently you're not supposed to keep your purse on the sand during high tide.  Who knew?)

Unfortunately, we were unable to find them... my memories (or the camera).
Fortunately, we found something even more amazing... a huuuuge sea turtle (like 3 feet in diameter) walking out of the ocean in search for a safe place to lay her eggs.

Unfortunately, she did not find an adequate place and returned to the ocean some 10 minutes later.
Fortunately, I did not make a youtube vid (see #2) because my reaction was eerily similar sounding.

Maybe it was an awkward turtle?