Today Goa celebrates Liberation Day. 45 years ago the Indian Army kicked out the Portugese after an occupation of about 450 years (longer than the British had been in India). Not a hard task in view of the fact that Goa is about the size of Devon. Anyway, it’s a good excuse for another Public Holiday.
We had a particularly successful and surprising day yesterday and are taking it easy today, relaxing on our new cane chairs. Surprise! The accountant didn’t postpone the meeting and after a grand total of 84 signatures and 48 rubber stamps the accounts were signed off. We think ‘that’s that’ but we have a nagging feeling that there must be an omission. Even more of a surprise, the new chairs previously mentioned were delivered on schedule. This may be related to the fact that the manufacturer is from Kerala (ie not a Goan).
Despite being a nice surprise, the delivery was not without its drama. The van driver did his best to make it exciting. Martin gave him a reasonably accurate map with appropriate landmarks etc. The blank look was not encouraging so Martin decided to accompany the driver. We live about one and a half miles from the collection point, close to a main road. There is a straightish country road between. The driver totally ignored Martin’s ‘Go this/that way’ instructions from the start and turned right when the direction given was left. It took nearly twenty minutes to get there through two villages nowhere near the route. Home was eventually reached, at which point Muppet (our dog) decided not to let the delivery man through the gate. We’ve noticed that on the whole Indians are more intimidated by dogs than we are – something to do with rabies?
Anyway, we are not the proud owners of comfortable seating, to which we are now going to return to celebrate Liberation Day. Deu borum dis diu, as they say round here, and adeus until falea. That’s good morning and see you tomorrow.
December 22, 2006 at 10:22 pm |
Wow you both look chilled on the new furniture.
Clearly the stress of Goan life is getting to you.
The christmas parties are kicking off big time here now and i have a headache booked for tomorrow!
Just remember our delightful climate when you return. It is absolutely miserable here at the moment. Dank freezing fog. Nuff said!
Was the driver paid by the mile?- it seems the same with Taxis worldwide! Either that or Martin is getting the old folk dance habit with the infamous call of “OTHER RIGHT ALISON!!!!!!”
December 22, 2006 at 11:22 pm |
No, he was prepaid and at the right price. The problem is that Goans (and probably Indians, although we have yet to prove this one) have no sense of distance or time, not even taxi drivers. See magir = later.
We’ve started partying with the neighbours on a quiet scale. However Xmas Eve is promising to be a a roller coaster night with midnight mass being the start of things. When that’s out of the way (2+ hours) the partying really gets going when all of Goa starts driving from place to place to see sights, lights, displays not to mention the bars.
Weather forecast. Dry bright and sunny Max temperature 82F for the day.
Dark, dry and cool. Min Temperature 65F. We’re not dreaming of a grey Christmas.
December 22, 2006 at 11:29 pm |
Last forecast was Night.
January 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm |
Chairs and tans are both looking good guys! xx P.s Muppet is gorgeous
January 11, 2007 at 12:37 pm |
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