Halfway Point
100 days down, 105 more to go
Much more fun and enlightenment to be had. I’ve compiled some stats & insights that I have thus far…
my journey on this planet, since November
Unexpected discoveries & perks:
- I’ve discovered tons of new music (as I listen to Vince Guaraldi: Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise – not new, but I’m obsessed) and great Podcasts to listen to (such as: Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin, Love + Radio, Criminal, The Dinner Party Download… This American Life is still my favorite though)
- I NEVER know what day of the week it is; I have to look at my watch to find out. And I really love love love that.
- I have had a really good tan most of the time😄
- I’ve used a lot of new modes of transportation that I had never used before…
- tuk-tuk
- catamaran
- sea kayak
- hot air balloon
- eBike
- I have a new appreciation for free stuff… and I’ve gotten a lot of free stuff. I’ve also thought a lot about how much excess there is in America, and the level of waste, in terms of buying things that we don’t need. The things I spend $ on when I get home will be different than before, and I’m excited about that.
- I like having one carry-on bag to fit all of my possessions in
- I miss having a job, feeling challenged mentally, and feeling accomplished doing work
- MASALA TEA addiction
- I love not drinking any alcohol at all and being sober
- The amount of gratitude I feel every day for what I already have in my life and how truly lucky I am is much more than I expected
- Time really does help with gaining the perspective that is needed and what everyone else saw except you
- I am just learning how to decide what I want to do and doing it… through most of the trip until recently, I’ve made decisions based on ‘the best thing’ to do or ‘what I should’ see and experience. That’s the same way I’ve been living my life, and it’s a major reason why I took this trip – to stop living for everyone else and what they want / expect and start living for myself. It’s a hard thing to break yourself of, but at this halfway point, I feel like I’m starting to get there and adding an element of control and ownership to my life that’s nothing but positive, increasing self-worth, and is really rewarding.
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Goin’ Goan
Goa!
I flew from Mumbai to Goa, and on the plane, they handed out this really delicious chocolate…
schmitten chocolates
yassss
The whole trip, I was thinking, “I hope I get another chocolate.” “Maybe the flight attendants will give out more chocolate.” “I hope someone leaves their chocolate on the plane, and I find it.” And then, as we were waiting to de-board the plane, THE GUY IN FRONT OF ME HANDED ME HIS CHOCOLATE! I said, “Are you sure? It’s really good chocolate.” He was sure:)
sunset over India
Also, during the plane ride, I kept thinking, “I hope I can find someone to share a taxi with.” I was thinking this because the taxi fare from the airport to my hotel in Candolim was supposed to be around $15. And no bus option. So, the whole time, I’m thinking, “Wow, it would be great to find someone to share a taxi with.” And then, as I was walking to the pre-paid taxi counter before leaving the airport, THE SAME GUY WALKS UP BEHIND ME AND ASKS WHERE I’M GOING. So, I told him, and he was going to a town just a little further north of Candolim!
And then, A GUY COMES UP BEHIND US AND ASKS THE OTHER GUY, “Hey, did you say you’re going to Baga?” And, “Yes, do you want to come in the taxi too?” So, suddenly, I’m only paying $5 for a cab, instead of $15, and I was the first one to get dropped off. Awesome. Just very funny because I was putting positive energy towards these two things happening, and they happened☺️
Goa is a state actually, not a town (which I didn’t fully comprehend until I went there). I have stayed in: Candolim (North Goa), Panjim (or Panaji) (Goa’s largest city, in North Goa), on Bambolim Beach (still considered North Goa), and in Cansaulim near Arossim Beach (South Goa).
Candolim has a cute town, with lots of restaurants and bars catering to tourists, and a cool beach.
candolim town
welcome basket – only good thing abt my free Club Carlson hotel in candolim..?
Panjim is on the Mandovi River, and it has the casino riverboats. I read about the casino industry in Goa before I went, so I understood the process. You have to pay to get into all of the casinos in Goa, but they give you OTP ‘one time play’ chips of various quantities, which you can use at some games, to ‘get your money back’. You also get buffet lunch, snacks, buffet dinner, and drinks complimentary.
I paid 3,500 rupees to get into Deltin Royale, and the time of day I went has the best OTP redemption, so I got 3,500 rupees of OTP chips. I played roulette and blackjack, and I got all 3,500 rupees back in real chips. Then, I quit and played slots😂 The slots sucked. Didn’t pay, and even worse – THE SOUND WAS TURNED OFF!? But it was really fun, and I’m glad that I got to experience an Indian casino.😄
taking the boat, to the boat on Mandovi River
deltin jaqk & casino pride boats
casino pride 2
deltin royale boat
i guess it’s owned by Horseshoe?
indian casino chip:)
I had a lot of fun exploring Panjim because of all of the interesting little streets and buildings. It was busy, and some people throw their litter everywhere😢, but it was still really nice. I really liked it!
panjim street
our lady of the immaculate conception church, built ~1600
panjim street
woodsy and hilly
After Panjim, I went on to Bambolim and stayed at the Grand Hyatt. My TOTALLY FREE hotel was amazing. And because of my Platinum status, I got a free upgrade to a bigger room, with an ocean view…
grand hyatt goa
room
grounds
balcony
There is a really cool chapel on the property that was built in the 16th century and was used by fishermen for centuries…
16th century chapel
chapel
chapel overlooking the ocean
old
so old.
The Bambolim Beach is nearby…
bambolim beach
feet in sand
bambolim
lovely rocks
bambolim
beach dogs!
One night, someone put on a fireworks display for me, and I had a wonderful view, right from my balcony. (When rich people get married, sometimes everyone wins.)
Next up: Kochi
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