Xmas is a Riot
There has been civil disobedience in Colva which is a couple of miles away. It is the main coastal resort for Indian tourists. Colva is a grubby place with litter everywhere and worn out hotels and restaurants. I would say it is not even worth a visit except for the rather delicious Sagar Kinara vegetarian restaurant where they sell extremely tasty Wadas, Uttappas an Dosas.
The troubles started a couple of days ago when a CD was released which contained derogatory comments about the local priest. The author of the peice had his house stoned and rumours abound saying that his house and several shops have been burned to the ground. I cannot verify this as the police have shut the town down. Hotels and shops have closed, all public transport and taxis have been banned and all traffic diverted away from the town. Ironically, according to the local newspaper, sales of the CD have gone through the roof with many shops running out of copies.
New Years Day 01.01.10 - We spent New Years Eve on the beach in the company of Linda, Malc & Owen (who we have known for several years) and met people from New Zealander, Germany and Belgium, got to bed about three. A lot more Indian tourists here this year, particularly groups of young Indian men. They can be easily spotted dancing feverishly in the shacks which play pounding House music. The Goans I have spoken to do not like the Indian tourists from other states and I have to say I can’t blame them. They are noisy, very demanding and sometimes quite rude and they leave a trail of litter where ever they have been.
Colva has settled down now but with the usual recriminations of Police incompetence.
