I have been trying ways to put this across gently. Without much damage to my reputation, you see. What the hell...I'll take the risk..label me crazy but I went to Goa and did NOT step on a single beach and yet came back having a fantastic experience of an altogether different side of this tiny, green, crazily warm place called Goa!!
I was in Goa for work-related stuff and the frenzied schedule did not spare much time for respite. May be that was an excuse and I could have really spared some time had I wanted to. But Goa in a hurry? Sounds like a stale fish curry! Not my thing...I preferred not visiting any beach rather than rushing through them without appreciating..simply to tick them off my list. You see...appreciating Goa needs to be a leisurely, slowly intensifying experience...like gentle love..
The hotel where I stayed had a small store dedicated to this guy. Mario Miranda.
The Mario Miranda
- the man behind those popular TOI cartoons...
- the man behind those quirky Bombay portraits...
The Mario Miranda
- the man behind those popular TOI cartoons...
- the man behind those quirky Bombay portraits...
- and most famously, the man behind the popular walls of equally popular Cafe Mondegar in Mumbai.
Needless to say I stole time from work, sometimes even wee hours in the mornings to go through the immense treasure-hold of books by Mario Miranda in that tiny little souvenir-cum-bookshop in my hotel lobby. Reading and understanding Goa from the seasoned eyes of a local...his portrayal of the life in Goa gives a rustic and all-new perspective quite different from the touristy stereotypes..
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| Mario's Goa |
Goa..of the Portuguese and the Konkanis...
Goa...of the Sunday Churches and Kunbi marriages...
Goa...of those lively and colorful markets and colorful lives of the simplest of humankind...
Mario Miranda makes one realize that there is so much more to it than the sun, sand and beach-shacks...
Finally, I have come to believe that everyone has a favourite in Goa...the beaches, cheap booze, flea markets, relaxed-afternoon-naps-under-the-beach shacks-with-chilled-beer-in-hand, Zante's cashewnuts (:P)! Do you have a not-so-obvious Goa favourite? Come on...share along. We can always do with one more reason to love Goa, can't we?
This is bound to say "anonymous said", hence let me add "Sunil Says"
ReplyDeleteRutuja, you are not alone in this. I was in Goa two months ago huddled up deep in the jungles of Chorli Ghats, way away from the beaches. Simply wanted to explore the non-beach non-fenni, non-port wine Goa. It was equally enchanting as ever. Being deep in the jungle anyway there was no access to anything in the world outside. Stayed a resort called Wildernest. Lovely cottages, it was pouring like crazy. All that I did there was stay indoors, watch movies (on my small DVD player) and cuddle up in bed all day long with the Girl with dragon tattoo. In two days I turned her over 329 times, which in normal routine Mumbai life could have consumed well over a month. (for the un-informed, Stieg Larsson was responsible for the girl)
Thank you for the Mario Miranda. It was a treat to see his version of Beautiful Girl, who does not need a waxing spa but a lawn mower. And I am sure he made William Shakespeare writhe in pain looking at the Juliet bestowed with ample assets and the langoti clad Romeo.
Hi Rutuja - Which Hotel in Goa has the shop? I keep visiting Goa often and would love to visit this place. Till then.. Cheers Vidyadhar
ReplyDeletenice one !!
ReplyDelete