Goa, Aranbol, November 25, 2008

Today I had a great day (maybe except for the end)
I woke up at 7:00, after a great night of sleep. I'm typically sleeping 8-9 hours and very well.
I went out to the balcony where I have an amazing view of the sea. My balcony is actually sitting on the ocean, on a cliff. The view is amazing, specially early morning and sunset. I decided to exercise my Yoga on the balcony. I did a full 70 minutes of practice and the highlight is that I managed to do "amidat rosh" against the wall (headstand). In the balcony there is a very convenient wall. I decided to try and use the wall for the "amidat rosh". And suddenly on the 1st try I was standing on my head. It felt easier than I thought. I was so surprised. Felt good.
Later I took my scooter and traveled to Panjin. Panjin is the Goa's state capital with about 100000 people. I was really impressed with Panjin. Colonial Portuguese with Indian colors.
It is much cleaner than typical India. You find lots of stores, churches, monuments with Portuguese names. Imagine that the Portuguese where in Goa before they discovered Brazil.
Many buildings do remind Portuguese architecture (and what we see in Brazil). At the same time, people look very Indian, and the Indian atmosphere is there.
At some point it came to my mind that this would be the perfect place for Ela to live. Nice, quiet, and very central in Goa. Therefore I send her an SMS telling her that I'm in town and asking where she lives. Guess what after 30 minutes or so, I met Ela on the streets. She had send me an SMS saying that she was in town but I met her before the SMS came. Wow what a coincidence. We sat for Juice for an hour and agreed to meet some other time. She said that Rishal was also in town doing some business. She is cleaning a house that they are renting in Arpora. She said that this is the home of her dreams.
I took my scooter and headed for Calangute. After about two hours, behind me where Rishal and Ela again in their car. We got together for a drink. Too many coincidences in a single day.
This is beating statistics.
Driving with the scooter around is so nice. You get to all kinds of different spots and gives you a completely different perspective that if I stayed in Aranbol only. I'm getting to be pretty good on the India driving. In the highways you need a helmet. Someone driving on my side warned me. But I did not have one. I was in danger of getting a fine. Tomorrow the bike owner will try to get me one. Except for highways, nobody wears a helmet, which is more dangerous but much more fun. It is nice to have the wind coming on your head and face.
I decided to keep the scooter for two more days at least. Tomorrow I'm going to the Wednesday market in Anjuna which is quite recommended.
I also inquired on the Yoga classes in the Himalayan center which I'm most probably will join.
It is a 5 day class, 3 hours a day.
Last but not least, I ate something in Panjin which did not make me good. I'm feeling a bit weird. The place was the cleanest Indian Veg restaurant which I've been so far. But the North Tally did not get well on my stomach.
So far Aranbol seems the best place for me in the North. Ela said that Palolim on the south is also pretty nice, but quite far away. So I'm staying at least till the end of next week here, and then will see.

Friday I'll probably start a 5 day class in the Himalayan Center. They charge 2500 for 5 days, 3 hours each.