I feel I am an accidental tourist in India; which, when you think about it, is a heck of a mistake if I had been hoping to go to Portugal or Greece instead (my first choices).
India was Stephen’s idea, one that I warmed to very slowly, and then veered between being wildly enthusiastic and slightly terrified. That emotional see-saw continued until we were flying to Delhi and it was too late to turn back. Sure, visiting a 4000-year-old culture would be fascinating, but there would also be garbage-strewn streets, extreme poverty, extreme heat and rats to contend with. And yes, so far, there have been all of those things. We have now been in India for four days, and on our first day here, I saw two rats – both dead, but rats, nonetheless, including one who was photogenically splayed on a sidewalk with a bird pecking at its innards. “Don’t look,” said Stephen.
Our trip began pleasantly with a 14-hour non-stop flight from Vancouver to Delhi, and a brief and uneventful sail through customs. Not the chaotic scene I had imagined.
You’ve all read about the life-threatening smog enveloping Delhi at the moment. This is no exaggeration – the air is a thick grey-yellow, and the smell is noxious. There are measures in place to try and mitigate it, but the volume of traffic and people and industry is what it is – it is hard to imagine how it can be measurably improved.
To give you a bit of an idea of the air in mid-afternoon (the sun is obliterated) – this was the view from our hotel window. We were also hosting a large family of pigeons.
Our hotel and our room were lovely – large, luxurious, marble everywhere and included a lavish buffet breakfast – all for $119 CA. A similar room in North America would have been double that price. We wanted to treat ourselves to a decent room the first night as a bit of a buffer from jet lag, culture shock and the after-effects of a long flight.
Security at our hotel was interesting – our taxi had to stop for a check, including an under-carriage scan. Suicide bombers enroute to the Radisson? Our bags were put on a conveyor belt and scanned and both Stephen and I were frisked. Service after that was impeccable and welcoming.
The next day we headed back to the airport to catch a short flight south to Goa, where we will be for 10 or 11 days. We were advised by friends to head south for two reasons: the north is very cold in January, and the south would offer an easier transition to the country. We were welcomed by a striking sculpture of one of India’s most revered practices.
Security had two lineups – Ladies and Gents. Men went through the usual screening, but women were ushered into a curtained area to be frisked in private. India is frequently described as being a country of contradictions, and this was the first one I observed. In a country where women’s rights are still hard-fought and their personal safety is frequently at risk, this old-fashioned approach to the sanctity of womanhood seemed odd to me.
Our plane ride was another matter. Filled with excited and rambunctious Indian families headed for a beach holiday, it was a party. Most of the passengers clapped and cheered both at take-off and landing, and then pretty much pushed one another off the plane.
Our first stop is Panaji – state capital of Goa. Goa was under Portuguese rule for 500 years, and those influences are evident everywhere. Panaji is a very small city circling around a river, with a number of stately old mansions, wrought-iron balconies, and mosaic doorways in its Latin Quarter. This is the area we are staying in, and our hotel – Caravela Homestay is situated in a pretty colonial building.
Hosted by the charming Carlos de Noronho and his sons Carlos Jr and Cyrus, this small inn was a perfect “soft landing” for us. Carlos told us that Goans are different people; Indian to be sure, but with Portuguese names and many of them Catholic rather than Hindi or Muslim. Most Goans speak English very well. The state of Goa is quite laid-back and the residents are less conservative than many of their countrymen. I imagine we will observe that even more once we are at the beach communities.
As we wandered the town on our first full day, we could easily have imagined we were in Portugal.
There are a number of higher-end shops and restaurants in Panaji that cater to a western clientele.
Colour in India is intensely saturated and inspiring – no such thing as colours that clash. From the walls to the art to the splendid saris – such beauty. Why would you want to trot out your wrinkled old beige cargo shorts?
Getting lost in Panaji is half the fun. We wandered around a number of back alleys; each turn brought something unexpected, such as this ancient motorcycle that is quite possibly still operating.
Much of the beauty is crumbling and some buildings are absolutely beyond repair.
Other old mansions appear to be either inhabited by squatters or fenced off for eventual renovation.
You cannot walk for long in Panaji without being accosted by a hopeful taxi driver. We were told that the cab and rickshaw drivers here charge extortionist rates, but the town is small enough that walking is both preferable and far more interesting.
The centrepiece of Panaji is The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception dating back to the early 1600’s; a frothy white confection set high on a hill overlooking the city.
While Panaji is apparently cleaner than many other Indian cities, it still has piles of garbage littering the streets. Government initiatives are in place to try and encourage behavioural change, although perhaps the tone of this one needs a bit of softening.
This sign is a gentle reminder to be respectful of those tasked with cleaning up the mess.
And then there is this one, positioned atop an apartment building in front of the bus station, complete with graphic illustration. Good grief – a bizarre twist on poop and scoop.
It is obvious that attempts to clean up are in the works. For so many reasons, that change is slow to come. This has as much to do with common practices as it does with simple hygiene. Our hotel owner was telling us that as a middle class begins to emerge, travel is a new phenomenon for a number of Indians. He still provides a bucket and pail in each bathroom as some Indian tourists do not know what the shower head is for.
We took a little bus out of town to Old Goa, the settlement that was the former capital until cholera and malaria outbreaks forced that abandonment to Panaji in the 1600s. Some of the remarkable churches and cathedrals are still there.
We visited the remains of St. Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jesus; famous throughout the Catholic world.
Across the street, the Se Cathedral offered an imposing presence, but by this time it was so hot that we could barely make a sweaty perambulation around the perimeter. At 76 m long and 55 m wide it is the largest church in Asia.
Our bus ride out and back was amusing. The first few seats at the front are assigned – ladies on the right, disabled and senior citizens on the left and the rest – kids, couples and men in the back.
We passed by a ferry with an innovative approach to unloading: cars are required to back up off the ferry ramp to disembark.
Tomorrow we leave for Palolem Beach, part of Goa’s famous beach area south of Panaji. We are really looking forward to a solid week of beach time, which will give us a chance to digest India so far.
Our impressions so far? BIG adventure. There is not a whole lot that is casual about India, it commands your attention. At times, the smells of garbage and urine and human waste can be overwhelming. It feels inhuman to walk past beggars. I’m leery of the stray dogs, but they mainly sleep on the sidewalks.
The food beckons. We’ve begun easily with delicious curries and butter chicken and dal and lentil soup. There will be lots of food photos in upcoming posts as we branch out and try different dishes.
The whole country beckons. We’re happy we’re here.
Leaving Ourselves Behind 
Entertaining as always:) Looking forward to your next post. Take care and happy adventuring.
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Thanks Di! We are now at the beach, and our mood has already shifted. Flip flops are out and ready.
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What an adventure! Your writing, Ginny, is so vivid. And the photos are marvelous. So happy to be reading you again and living your travels vicariously! Happy New Year to you and Steve.
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Thank you Shelagh, and Happy New Year to you and Charlie. The photos pretty much take themselves, and we miss so much – life just steams ahead here.
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A country and culture that has always intrigued me…can’t wait for more posts.
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Intriguing it certainly is! So far, we have very little in our own experiences to compare, so we’re trying to keep eyes and minds wide open.
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Happy to be back on the road with you. Great read as usual.
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Thanks Lesley! Happy New Year to you and Glenn. xo
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Hello travellers! Sure glad they straightened you out about defecating on the street! Great post of your first impression! It really is intriguing isn’t it? Enjoy your trip! Looking so forward to your posts and as other friends of yours have said, travel right along with you! You are an amazing story teller! Hugs to you both.
PS Hop-along is progressing well, slowly but surely.
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Hi Linda and Hop-along – good to hear the recovery is coming along well.
Yes, it was the “open” part of the defecation ban I needed help with – I’m guessing the bushes under the cover of darkness are still fine.
Now we’re on the beach, catching our breath and aside from sharing the sand with several cows who appear to have lost their way, we could be anywhere.
Are you planning a trip again once Gary gets the all-clear?
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Relieved you are safe and happy…. another adventure begins. Hope that is the last of the rats….think that may have done me in.
Very different from our deep freeze.
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Dear Nanc
I have a feeling the rats will be a big part of our trip – it will be good for me – a little aversion therapy.
And yes, it is hard to believe we are sweating and fanning our faces (or at least I am, Steve is more stoic) when just two weeks ago we were wearing boots and mitts.
Now we’re on the beach, we plan to spend gobs of time in the water – the Arabian Sea – isn’t that romantic?
xo
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What with the rats, the smog and the garbage, I was relieved to see such colourful pictures of Goa! Although, I am sure Goa has its share of the above, as well. Can’t wait to hear more about India! I’m fairly certain, like so many other places you have been, it will prove to be a land of contrasts.
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Hi Heather – I think India is one of the biggest lands of contrasts there is – although it is easier than I thought it would be, at least so far. Perhaps I have over-prepared and psyched myself out for no reason.
We’re really looking forward to it all.
Happy New Year to you and Mitch.
xo
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So glad you got there safe and sound! Looking forward to reading about your adventures.
Hugs from afar….Donna & Garry
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Thanks Donna & Garry and Happy New Year to you both!
Big hugs back. xo
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We woke up this morning wondering when we would be hearing from you! So glad you are enjoying your first tastes of India. It is a very colourful country and the people are wonderful. We can’t wait to hear more of your adventures.
Stay safe….love Sheila and Jim
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Dear Sheila and Jim
The people are just wonderful, and they seem to look out for us. Even today, on the bus from Panaji to Palolem, we were approached by beggars as our bus stopped for a moment. The lady in front of me turned around and caught my eye and shook her head.
I know the stories of touts and scammers abound, but we have had nothing but kindness and consideration so far.
We’ll stay safe without letting caution shut out the good people.Big hugs to you both. xo
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Love reading about your retirement travels. Quite sure we will never make it to India but this is the next best thing! I will think of you the next time we have any Indian guests arrive at the inn.
SueB
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Happy New Year to you and Drew, Sue! Happy to be the India tourist by proxy!
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Happy New Year… So glad to be on another adventure with you! Your thoughts are so far, the same as mine when we visited.
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Happy New Year to you, Nancy. I’ve been thinking of you and your remarks to me about how much you loved India.
I’m not quite in love with India yet, at this point I would say we are just friends.
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And we are happy you are there and can look forward to living vicariously as you explore India …. dhanyavaad !
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Pippa! It is so funny you should use that word! I asked the man at one of our hotels how to say “thank you” and he wrote it down for me. When I practiced it on the guys in the hotel in Panaji, they all burst out laughing, and the cook even came running out of the kitchen.
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Oh Ginny. What a great blog. So happy you and Steve are safe and sound. I will never venture to these parts so I will look forward to following you through this country. Stay safe.
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Hi Patti – we will be safe, no worries there. At least we will do our best to stay safe. At this point, our biggest challenge is navigating the roads as pedestrians. Since cars and motorbikes pretty much go where they want, it falls to us to stay alive, and be constantly swivelling our heads as we cross the street.
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Wow, two rats down and you are still smiling, I knew you could do it Ginny! I whish the French government would start a campaign to stop its citizens urinating and more behind every bush while leaving tissues as a souvenir!
Love your blog and wonderful pictures, whish I had traveled in your suitcase as well!
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I don’t know if I am smiling, but I’m resigned. The rats will always outnumber us. And what is it with not using a bathroom? We’re not all three years old – I don’t get it.
We passed a man a couple of days ago, and I wondered, “In, or out?” As it turned out, he was just zipping up, so we were spared the sight.
Wish you were here too, my friend – next time, I’ll pack you in the suitcase.
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You know, you two should actually make programs for the travel business. Always look forward to reading your posts!👍
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Thanks so much! Now there’s an idea – if I could find someone who wanted us to try out business class flights and deluxe hotels, I’m sure I could find some interesting stories to tell.
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Ginny, I feel as though I’ve just opened the page to a good mystery. Will Ginny’s heart be won over by India? Will she and Stephen survive the strain?
Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Nicola (from Patzcuaro)
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Hi Nikki from Patzcuaro
Ginny continues to wonder about the wisdom of her friend’s mantra “just surrender.” India is like a bad boyfriend – charming and good-looking, but hard to know when (and if) to trust.
As for Stephen and I? We’re clinging on this life raft together.
Stay tuned for more cheesy similes.
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Wow, what an appetite you two have for adventure, your writing and photography are so vivid, thanks for sharing, Ginny. We’ll happily be along for the ride. Best to you and Stephen!
Garry
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