AskHoyle

Tag: IndiaDay8

  • Hoyle goes to India – Day 8 – Sunday night in Goa

    And then the power went out. My phone’s screen came on which gave me enough light to get to the led lantern conveniently located on the bedside table. It’s just a hunch but I think this might have happened before.

    I spent a while finishing getting dressed and then a very long time looking for my flashlight. I finally concluded that the four young girls who were trying to take my money on the beach had taken it.

    THis was a group of four ornately dressed girls between about 6 and maybe 13. They said “let me show you my store” indicating a string of bangles they carry on one arm hanging from elbow to wrist. The oldest started in first, next offering a pedicure when I declined her wares. I kept fighting to keep them in front of me, which was difficult enough that I judged I was correct in my concerns.

    “Don’t break my little heart” said the 8 year old, and I laughed and told her that was a good line. They moved on after I said I would visit again tomorrow, though I refused the pinky swear.

    So there I was without my light and I decided to walk back to German Bakery since I figured they could probably still make food. And when I grabbed the heavy lock of course the key was clipped to my light since this key can’t be removed without locking the lock.

    So, the girls are innocent, at least of that offense. Part of me feels like an ass, but I am pretty good at picking up vibes and I am pretty sure I was being cased. Sorry Ronnie, but “trust but verify” doesn’t work in crowds.

    The walk was uneventful. Just a dog sleeping in the road and a couple discussing in Russian whether Magnum pi or Columbo was a better detective. Or probably something else. I couldn’t really be sure since I don’t understand any russian. Fyi the correct answer is Magnum pi, because of the Ferrari. Also the helicopter. Plus, I never really watched columbo.

    The restaurant had set out candles and I ordered a minty lime drink. Basically a mojito without the mo. Or the jito. Whichever is the alcohol, it is missing that part. It’s sweet and tart and yummyrefreshing, which is a new word you get to use now.

    No falafel. No hummus. The third try was an avocado tomato and feta salad.

    There is a shortage of menus in this country. Even in Bangalore we seldom got more than one for the table. I can only read one menu at a time, so it is ok for tonight but I had to kung fu the waiter to keep him from taking it after I ordered the salad.

    Time for foodening. There are sprouts. (Power came back on after like 20 min)

    P.s. Frog was gone from under the hasp last night. I can’t verify if he came back because that isn’t my door anymore.

  • Hoyle goes to India – Day 8 – Afternoon in Goa

    I found my way to the beach on my rented scooter. It is a heap but works fine. It has lights, turn signals, electric start, a goofy helmet and a “dipper”. Stay tuned if you can’t guess what that is.
    I am rusty driving a motorcycle and never have driven a scooter or on the left side of the road till now. I didn’t die or mostly even almost die. I found parking at the north end of Anjuna beach.

    I walked down a market row to the north, shopping for “slippers” aka sandals. Many were used but I got a pair with foam soles and leatherish straps for 500. They are marked 399. Whatever. I talked her down from 850.

    Then I walked most of the way down the beach. Not overly crowded here but still plenty of people. I intended to walk all the way to the south but I spotted a place called Tantra with three tiers of padded hangout space. It amounts to a lot of shade and a great breeze. Plus spotty Wi-Fi and beer/food delivery. The Wi-Fi password is godisgreat

    Milton told me the local specialty is fish curry rice so that is what I am having for 230 with an 80 rs kingfisher beer and 100rs naan. It is all good and not too spicy. There are some expats here with accents of various kinds but also lots of locals.

    I sat in my treehouse all day, then walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. I took some pictures of fishermen silhouetted agaist the setting sun, then a cricket skirmish, then lots of ancient lava and the life within.

    I saw a goby in a tidal pool! He shared his house with a spotted crab about the size of my palm. The goby eventually came over to say hi. I was surprised he could move from one little one-foot pool to pool to pool, but the rock was very porous and he seemed to know his way around. There were several neat macroalgae and some hermit crabs. As I made my way back to shore I found a sea cucumber and poked it to be sure I was right. If my index finger falls off, remind me of this so I don’t keep the doctor guessing.

    I saw the sun dip into the ocean, but then I hurried back over the jagged rocks. My new “slippers” are much safer when dry and I had already bashed my toe and knee into the ancient lava and encapsulated metamorphic rock. I didn’t need to try it in the dark too.

    I also wanted to get moving.

    It took many tries to get the scooter started. I wanted to get it back to the room before it got totally dark, but I went the long way (same as the way in) by accident. I got moved to a better room, but the Wi-Fi is worse. So, not really better. I may ask to change back tomorrow.

    I am resting now from the stressful ride and will probably rinse off and go for dinner.
    Almost all the photos are on my real camera and I don’t have any way to get them off the sd card till Bangalore.

    I totally forgot to even test the dipper, which is a switch to turn the headlight beam high or low.

  • Hoyle goes to India – Day 8 – Morning in Goa

    I dragged myself out of bed and had a shower in the bathroom. This seems oddly phrased, but there isn’t a shower per se, just a shower head and a floor drain. I had the sense to remove the tp from the bathroom first.
    Outside I met my host and agreed on a price for tonight.  It is too early for me to want to deal with changing places.  I figured 2000 is probably too much but it is cheaper than the online rate, and besides I found a 2000 bill on the road on my walk home last night.  That easily tops the 100 I found in cubbon park
    I walked down the street, following a cow to get breakfast at German Bakery, which is an exact recreation of a famous Munich bakery, except for everything.  From rattan chair I ordered an espresso, a carrot juice, a croissant with egg and tomato, and the wifi code..  a big german shepherd wanders around here, so maybe he is the baker.
    On the street side is a high stucco wall and overhead are welcome reed shades supported by bamboo.  Many cloth lanterns and decorative fabrics in red blue and yellow hang in stripes.  A brick oven runs constantly and a counter offers baked goods and coffee drinks.  There are plenty of waiters so perhaps this is a to-go counter
    There is a table of german hippies rolling and smoking cones. Perhaps this is the German expat spot, and maybe the owner is here.  On the way in is scooter parking and a small shop, and at the back is another shop with professionally printed banners offering spa services.  Bathrooms are against the big wall but the one sink is outside.I think there may be rooms behind. In another life I might own a place exactly like this.