The last post to this blog
We woke up this morning at 7.00 and went for a walk down to Varca and back. It took about an hour. The sky was very grey and there was the threat of rain in the air. We had breakfast at the shack and we were back at our apartment for 9.30. Our Goan neighbour explained that she had been up since 2.00 a.m because of a power cut early in the morning in her block of apartments, yesterday they did not have any water. Such are the trials and tribulations of living in Goa!!
This will probably be my last post to the ‘grifsingoa’ blog. I have enjoyed writing it but at times it has been a little frustrating due to the vagaries of Goa’s power supply. I would like to think that the blog has truly reflected my thoughts, aspirations and disappointments – I hope it has but I am not quite sure that my literary skills are accomplished enough to express myself fully. Despite this, I feel that there has been enough information to get a feel for life in Goa from a Westerner’s perspective.
We came here in December full of enthusiasm, hope and guarded expectation that this may be the place that we would like to live. But sadly, our ‘Goan Dream’, in reality has turned out to be not exactly a nightmare but more of a restless sleep. We are very disappointed but not disheartened, it has made us realise that for all it’s faults, the UK has a standard of living and government which is enviable across the world.
The UK weather which dominates conversation is, in part, one of the main reasons people like us wish to decamp and move to sunnier climes. Yes, we are fed up with the rat-race, the traffic and the obsessive target driven bullshit and it is dreadfully painful to every UK citizen. But the rat race in the UK is far better than the daily grind of just trying to survive which exists here for so many of our fellow human beings.
We will come back to Goa but always as tourists. We had a little dream that we could live here. We cannot. Even if we did, we would be isolated, always treated as strangers and I think quite lonely. We would truly miss family and friends in the UK. However, taking account of everything I have just written, I know that after a couple of weeks back in the UK, I will be wishing I was back here again, baking in chaotic, corrupt but very beautiful Goa.
Martin said,
March 22, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Sorry to hear that this is the last blog! Also that your journey’s not turned out as you’d have hoped…..I think your blog’s been great and a nice way to have kept in touch with you and Theresa – sharing your blog’s been fun and just like being back at St Ann’s!
We’ll have to meet up when you get back to the UK and settled back in……Have a safe journey back
Jackie & Derek said,
March 22, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Ahhhh! Shame it’s the last one. We’ve enjoyed keeping up to date with all your news, you give good blog Nick!! Safe home to you both & keep strumming the guitar (Derek remains worryingly attached to his!!) Jackie.
Martine said,
March 30, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Hi Nick – enjoyed reading about your adventures from target driven blighty (we made the 600 by the way!!) Martine
Debbs in Chennai said,
April 9, 2007 at 9:28 am
Hi guys
I assume you’re back in good old blighty by now and coming to terms with reality again! At least its spring so you’ll have the daffodils and the lambs bouncing in the fields!
I’ve been so busy since leaving Goa that this is the first chance I’ve had to get in touch. Hope you had a safe journey and enjoyed your final 3 weeks. Sam and Dick were lovely and I’m sure provided good company.
Hopoefully I’ll get a little chance to read some of your blog now I’m back in Chennai for some time. Will keep you posted on developments here – and I’ll think about setting up my own blog – they’re ever so good aren’t they!
I will be coming back to UK on 17th May for 10 days leave and 2 weeks in the office down south. To be honest I’m ready for it so 5 weeks on Thursday and counting!
Best wishes
Debbie