Susegaad in Goa
Goa - the very name evokes laziness, sunny skies, colourful beaches, vibrant artwork, peppy music, dance, laughter - a ticket to Bohemia! Needless to say, a visit to this paradise demands a travel write-up. But I won't talk about the usual Goa tourist attractions. I like to think of myself as a traveller rather than a tourist. We stayed in North Goa this time, and checked out some nearby beaches and villages. So, let's talk about a bus ride from Candolim to Calangute. A football ground passes by. Some locals arguing in Konkani. The bus is choc-a-bloc with ordinary Goans going about their daily business. We pass fancy restaurants, malls, churches, small eateries, some "pure-veg" restaurants (yes, they exist in Goa!). The bus drops us at Calangute bus stand, and we walk around a kilometer to the crazily crowded beach. Calangute and Baga have become what locals describe as fish markets. Punjabi songs blaring, hordes of tourist, shops peddling everything under the sun,