Goa to Bangalore

Disclaimer: So much happens every day, and every moment. It is really hard to write every significant moment and the less significant momens, hence what you read in this blog is a glimpse between eye blinks, not the entirety of what feel or experience..

So.. Goa was a bit of a surprise after Bangalore. I was able to let down a bit and take in the sea, sand and sweat. Oh ya.. we were sweating 24/7. Val flew down and met up with Davina and me. It was surreal to meet again in India, after Edmonton. Dav and I rented a bike and saw a bit of the beach town that way. The markets had Tibetan jewellers, silk and pashmina merchants from Kashmir, marble carvers from Agra, indigenous gypsy women from Rajasthan and Gujarat with their embroidery and mirror work.. A man with a dancing cow, innumerable just married straight couples on their honeymoons, a huge number of Swedes, a baby elephant, merchants and customers haggling alike..
it was end of the season and the markets were closing until November and the merchants were unfortunately caught beween wanting to get rid of their goods and wanting to make as much as they could before close. I am abashed and ashamed at how my bargaining skills materialised. Many times, I just bargained because I thought it was expected of me. I felt bad about how low I did get some things down to, and swore off bargaining. NO more. NO MORE.

There are contradictions in every country, however I feel that it is more apparent in countries like India. No, I am not 'othering', I am making an observation as a global citizen.

Amidst all odds, life goes on.