The first weekend!

There was a stoppage in the rain - occasionally! It cleared Saturday morning and we took off to see the rice paddies across the road and the little temple down the way. We barely made it to the temple ( which turned out to be a shrine) and were caught in a downpour! You could hear the Indians thinking that the Americans don't know enough to carry an umbrella! It soon passed and we were off to see the water buffalo plowing the fields, we explored an old estate that was in ruins and were careful to watch the ground as not to step on a snake! There were some monkeys jumping in the trees but a man in the nearby house was doing everything he could to make noise and drive them away. That usually means banging on pots and pans but can also include a cap gun and firecrackers! I finally got some good pictures. So far, Nicole has only let me take photos of her three kittens.

We bathed ( in a bucket ) and headed out for a big evening on the town. We went to TAKE 5
jazz club!!!! I was not really expecting too much but it was a superior musical experience.
Elvis was in the house. He is a Goan boy who plays a Bruce Springstein guitar he bought in Chicago. He was utterly amazing. He could tune his guitar electronically - I had never seen that - a built in gadget! He played with another accoustical dude that did all the singing. They were playing "Three dead in Ohio" when we came in - then rifted into solos. They occassionally slurred over words they didn't know but were great! Their blues numbers were a highlight.
Nicole, of course knew everyone and the owner, Virage, sat us down at his table and started ordering food and drinks that continued all evening! We started with chicken and beef spicy dishes and by the end of the evening were eating shrimp and calamari. He insisted we try his seafood soup of the day then a brownie with chocolate sauce arrived with vanilla ice cream. I starting drinking coconut rum with fresh pineapple juice but was accused of liking girly drinks and joined Nicole in choking down whiskey and water!!!!! We were not charge a penny - he was mad when Nicole left a tip for the waiter! Having Nicole in the window is good for business is his theory!

Elvis was thrilled we gave him a couple standing ovations - he knows he could be a superstar but just wants to hangout and play in Goa. We are already planning on going back next weekend so I will get a picture! He is a cutie! The Goa beach area is definately like a hippie hangout!
Sunday we went on a nice ride and saw where the river by her house enters the ocean. The surf was rough and pounding. We went to dinner (a delicious vege and rice meal)at Angus' house which is a resort in progress. It is an artists retreat and meditation camp! Look forward to the pictures - three story house with wrap around staircase. The walls are blue with green follage airbrushed up the walls and dolphins higher up! Inside there are garden scenes with many
bubbles and butterflies - total fantasy images. He has a swinging bed hanging from the ceiling and has ordered sliding wood panels (like japanese paper sliding doors) but wants to put stained glass in. He picked my brain for ideas and if we can find the materials - especially the glass - Nicole and I might start work on a simple flowing design to carry across the wall of doors! Cool! We could start and Nicole could wrap it up over the winter! It mainly depends on if they can get colored glass other than a few basic primaries.

Monday is a day of rest!....bland food and a nap!