Go, Go, Goa....Blame It On the Feni

Notice! This may be my last blog! I am going to sell my house, car, computer, everything, except most of my shoes, oh, and my big rings too, and live in a beach hut in GOA! So, if I do not return home in December, don't worry, just come and join me! That pretty much sums up my weekend in Goa!
How do I even begin to describe Goa?? Goa is India meets Portugal, which makes sense as it was originally a Portuguese settlement. The population there is largely Christian, and that shows in all the beatifully decorated crosses that fill every nook and cranny of the entire area. The beaches are wide and full of little bars, cafes, etc., and we managed to find them all! The weekend with Bree started by checking into our amazing hotel/resort, Neelam's The Grand. We then had to find out what this "feni" was all about. We headed out to the closest hot spot to see what we could find and we found quite a lot....if I remember correctly! Feni is the local Goan drink. It is distilled several months a year with cashews and the rest of the time with coconut. It is a clear liquor and it is STRONG. We dubbed our vacation in terms of BF or AF, meaning before feni, or after feni....you get the picture! At the first stop we pulled up to a table, ordered this much talked about feni and then we heard..."are you ladies sure you are ready for that?" (British accent) We clearly weren't ready, but we made instant friends with some lovely "mates" from Liverpool. We were then joined by several people from Scotland, and an Indian from London....and then some more people from a small town in England....it was all quite a global start to the weekend. We then went with all our new found friends to enjoy the nightlife at Tito's/Mambo's. We ended up dancing then entire night away and met still some more people from India, natives of Goa back for a visit, to be exact. And so the weekend went......
Wherever Bree and I went, we had friends. We especially thank our Goan friends from Pune for showing us ALL the nooks and crannies and for making sure we had a blast. We trekked along the beach, shopped, took a ferry ride, danced our hearts out, ate SO much amazing food, masala prawns, kingfish, pomfret....and LAUGHED every minute......incredible....! It was truly an amazing adventure and a much needed break from these big cities of Mumbai and Delhi.
It was also during this weekend break that I truly fell in love with India. The Fulbright folks told us we would be overwhelmed first, be homesick second, be frustrated third, and then fall in love just as it was all going to end, and they were right. I do love this country and I know I will be back again, no doubt. It is my hope that everyone takes the time to visit India, if nothing else, to experience the people. I can't say enough about Indian hospitality.
A special thanks to Bree who made this weekend one of the most memorable of my lifetime. Yes, to the second weekend in November to where ever you want to travel, and yes to next summer, I am down. You are an amazing person, and thanks for making me laugh. I needed it.
Also special thanks to the "Brits," Sam, John and Jordan, too funny, thanks for teaching me the difference between "a mate" and "a bloke," I think I have it now, and sorry about your horrible cab experience.
Thanks to Deep, we know never to put three on a scooter now unless we have bribe money. Those of you reading can put this story together. Thankfully, it ended with just a little money out of pocket....!
My warmest heartfelt thanks, and I CANNOT thank you enough, to our best friends, new "brothers", and fantastic tour guides....you truly spoiled us....Francis, Chris, Alvin, and Sourabh....we will all meet again! Thanks for the one million laughs and stories that I will cherish forever.
So, off to another adventure. I pick up Sharon, my asst. principal, at the airport tonight, show her around Mumbai, funny, how I am the expert now, go figure. She and I will then head to Cochin, Kerala on Sunday. Until next time...take care, and stay away from the FENI! You've been warned.