India Travels 18 - The End

Enjoying a seaside massage. He hit all the right buttons and worked out a stubborn knot in my back. Well worth the $15 for 1/2 hr.

Christine with one of the ever present cows. They seem so docile but I wouldn't want to give them the chance.

Someone going for a parachute ride. - I watched and thought - not me!

This little girl did the slack rope walk setting up the entire apparatus with her mother who also had a 14? month old baby in tow right in front of our lounge chairs. She had previously come past with a little boy who played a tin plate like a drum while she contorted with a small hoop. When we gave her a few ruppies, she - of all those we gave money to - said "Thank You" and smiled so sweetly.

We both were in awe as to their ingenuity to make a living. The rope, pegs, hammer and other items were all carried by the mother, on her head with the baby in arms. The 4 poles were carried by the little girl on her head as well. I can't imagine a 8 year old in America even knowing how to use a hammer let alone working all day to put food on the plate.

Surprise ! - Christine had been contemplating a change in hair styles - feeling ill and not wanting to mess with her long hair any more, she booked an appointment at the resort salon and had it cut off. The stylist was very leary and tried to go shoulder length - but with Christine's adamant instructions finally got her to cut it short. She's so happy with it and has taken 1/2 hr off her morning beautification regime.

Our stay was over in Goa and we left for the airport. Since we had some extra time before needing to be there , we took a side trip into Old Goa. There at the Basilica de Bom Jesus was the Tomb of St Francis Xavier - his body lies in state here since it's interment in 1553. That's it on top. He was cannonized because his body was in perfect condition when they dug it up a year later to transfer his bones to a more suitable resting place. Declared a miracle, he was made a Saint in 1622. I have to tell you - it didn't look too perfect 450 years later.

Christine with her "nose to the grindstone" One of the relics outside an old church.

In the capital, Panaji, there is this statue of Abbe de Faria - a Goan priest who won acclaim as the father of modern hypnosis in Paris. Pretty cool statue don't you think?

We arrived at the airport, caught the connection to Mumbai ( yes 3 times in that miserable airport) had a 6 hour layover and arrived back in Abu Dhabi at 3a local time.

We didn't leave the house for 2 days living off what was in the refridgerator and cabinets. Had it not been for the Delhi Belly, the trip would have naturally been more enjoyable. However, it was a once in a life time opportunity to visit a facinating country and to see and do things we never thought we'd have the chance to do. This ends the India Travelogue. We hope you enjoyed it,

Love to all,

Scott and Christine