Beyond the Gates

We are so busy here with classes and homework that there really isn't much time to explore. For the past 13 mornings we have started the day at 6am with our yoga practise and we are now the happy recipients of a day and a half off.

The school is situated a few minutes walk from Morjim Beach and sits on a busy road where the scooters and taxi's speed along at a fair rate. Though to be fair the scooters and taxis speed along everywhere. Travel by car is not for the faint hearted and overtakes are completed with only a slim gap between vehicles. Unlike the UK, however, the speed tends to be much slower and the vehicles are rarely doing more than 40 mph but it feels much faster when you are walking along. Just down the road is the supermarket, but in typical Indian fashion it is in fact a large shed with all kinds of supplies to keep a young hungry boy's diet supplemented. Indian pot noodles anyone? There are also a small collection of shops and boutiques, including a specialist shop selling leather and fur coats! This, I presume, is aimed at the Russian tourists as I can't imagine anyone wanting to wear these coats in this scorching weather. We have also managed to find a traditional French Patisserie which is beautifully clean, air conditioned and sells the most amazing french cakes. We plan another visit there this afternoon once we have finished our homework after the sun has gone down a little.

On the beach are a number of beach shacks and we have had a cola in a couple of them but personally I would be too wary to try any food in there. You need to avoid the salad, milk and fish as the salad is washed in tap water and the frequent power cuts can result in the food going off. There is a famous French restaurant just across the road called 'La Plage' and we have eaten there once to date and it was very good. We plan to visit again tonight to provide a perfect end to a perfect day before we start our course in earnest again in the morning.

Last night the group hired a taxi  and headed off to the night market which is about 30 minutes away. It was interesting seeing the vibrant Indian night-life as we drove along. We stopped about a mile away at the nearest ATM for some cash. India is a cash society here and your credit cards are useless. There are only a couple of ATM's around and you are only allowed to get 20,000 rupees (£220) out per day but that does tend to last for a while as everything is so cheap here. We also stopped at the chemist for peppermint tablets which are excellent for the tummy. We certainly know how to have a good time!!

The market was manic. So busy with tourists, taxi drivers and security. The noise was tremendous with cars and scooters beeping away to try and get pedestrians out of the way as thousands of people streamed into the market. The stalls inside were packed with fabrics, jewellery, clothing, spices, pottery, food and much much more. I got myself an indian dress, some saffron and a silver toe ring, amongst other bits and pieces. I am going quite ethnic with my henna tattoo and green hair! Andrew, the T-Shirt king, bought himself another T-shirt. Bartering is something I am not very good at, especially as the prices are so reasonable but we did our best and everyone was happy with the deal that was done. Andrew celebrated his freedom with a delicious chicken kebab and a beer. We declined the salad and dressing in it though and there have been no nasty side-effects this morning.

Today was the first time in 2 weeks when we have not had to get up at 5.30am and it was luxury. We were still up early and by 7.30 we were walking along the Arabian Sea before heading out for breakfast. There are hundreds of baby crabs on the beach who work tirelessly digging little holes in the sand and scurrying around. They are so sweet and sometimes it is hard to walk along to avoid standing on them but we have succeeded so far. They are quite mesmerising to watch.

As a group we are now obsessed with food as the vegan diet is starting to pinch and it is cheese and eggs that seem produce the greatest longing, so as special treat I had  a cheese, mushroom and potato omelette - yum yum. This was followed by a return to Arti's Spa for a massage. We were greeted like old friends and were each given a fantastic massage which really helped my poor aching body. They are so friendly there and we have booked in for another one next weekend but are going to try a different one where oil is poured over your head and it is supposed to be really good for headaches and tension. Another fabulous Arti experience is anticipated.

Well homework calls before we head out for the patisserie. This is still a trip of a life-time and life is good.

Namaste