Spending the day in Goa...

As I spoke to more locals, I have discovered that Americans really don't visit this beach town.  The majority of people who come here are Indians, Russians and Europeans.  Several people have said maybe only 1% of Americans come here.  I am of that 1%.  Maybe it's because it's just not a well known destination for North Americans.  They usually visit the golden triangle (Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Triangle_(India) up north of India.

Some of the highlights of the day were:
1.  visiting the Aguada Fort

2.  Dolphin Tour  for 200 rupees ($5 US)

3. visiting beaches in northern Goa and some other sites

4. I had an ayurvedic massage (The word Ayurveda refers to a combination of two literal words. The word 'ayur' means 'containing life' & the word 'veda' means 'to know about it'.

Ayurveda means the "science of life". It originated in India more than 5,000 years back and is believed to be the oldest healing Science in existence, from which all other systems emerged. Pronounced "Aa-your-vay-da", it is an ancient healing system which has three main focuses:

• Healing illness.
• Prevention of disease.
• Longevity or age reversal.

Ayurvedic massage is an ancient holistic and natural healing system from Kerala. It uses oil massage and a range of herbal medicines, oils and powders to treat a variety of ailments or to simply 'rejuvenate body and mind').

http://www.goa-holidays-and-hotels.com/ayurvedic-massage-in-goa.html

5.  Dinner at Inferno Restaurant Candolim Beach Road, Candolim, India
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g297605-d895842-Reviews-Inferno-Candolim_Goa.html
This place was soooo good that I ate there twice.  They always seem to be packed so I am not the only one that likes their cooking.

2 orange fantas
1 bottled water
garlic mashed potatoes
chicken teekha masala
curry sauce
garlic and cheese naan bread
Goan bibinca (multi-layered cake )
http://www.goanfoodrecipes.com/2008/06/bibinca-goas-favorite-dessert.html and ice cream

all for 545 rupees (a litte more than $10 US dollars)

                                                                                                                                                                    

First day in Mumbai with Anita! Food, Fabric, Shopping and Henna!

I arrived around 5:30 AM and Anita came to pick me up.  She used to work for me at Oilily back in Chicago and kindly let me stay at her house with her family.  She lives in a lovely condo about 30 minutes from the airport.  There wasn't a minute to relax as there was much to do. She made me coffee and a delicious indian breakfast.

She took me to her husband's corporate travel agent so we could plan my 17 day trip all over India.  She was so much help.  Her husband let us use his driver all day to drive us around Mumbai, see some sites, shop, eat and arrange my detailed flights and trips all over India.

I can't over how cheap the food is here.  Anita and her family are Hindu and they are strictly vegetarian wtih no meat.  Being a vegetarian here is easy in India because all of the food is infused with so many spices and flavor.
The food is very spicy and even when I ask for no spice, it's still hot but oh soooo good.
We had the most delicious samosas ( a potato stuffed pastry) for 8rupees (about 10 cents) each and dosas ( a thin, spicy, crepe-like food) for 47 rupees (about $1) each.

Now, anyone who knows me and my style knows that India will make me feel right at home when it comes to shopping.  Who can resist the vibrant colors, fabrics, saris and delicate silks and beading that surround me.  She took me to a place that specializes only in trim and beading for your hand made saris.  I also bought these fans from a little girl made out of peacock feathers for only $1!!  Can you beat it?

The streets are packed and the poverty level is astounding.  I have been to the Philippines several times which is also a third world country.  It has prepared me to see how people can survive and live on nothing and yet appreciate everything.

Finally, at the end of the night, Anita had arranged for someone to come to the house and do henna (  a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails,leather and wool. The name is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes) on my hands and arms.  Beautiful!  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna