The Goa affair

Sam is right, there is certainly an element of sadness about having to move on from our amazing experiences. Yesterday really was all go. From dawn to dusk we were pretty much on the go. Breaky then on the bus and as Sam mentioned, Big Foot, a Portuguese house visit, a temple visit (the temple of peace where offerings to Vishnu were being made), the Spice farm visit, which I must say was tremendous in the sense that we were well recieved, ie on our arrival we were greeted with flower garlands placed over out heads and we were scattered with flower petals and each of us recieved a red bindy dot on our foreheads. They made such a fuss. The students enjoyed the attention and to top that off we were then given fresh cashews and lemon-grass tea before our guide took us on a fabulous tour of the spice plantation. did you that coffee type nut has a male and female bean inside and guess what????? The male bean is ground to make the coffee while, wait for it........the female bean is put to work to reproduce. (A lot of hard work goes on for females doesn't it!!!)
did you also know that the vanilla pod can be used in many ways, 60% of the worlds's supply is used by Coke & Pepsi; it is also the 2nd most expensive spice (Saffron is 1st)We were treated to a lovely lunch and each given a sachet of a selection of spices to take home.
One of the highlights as already mentioned by Sam was the elephant rides. A cost of 600 rupees for around 5 - 10 mins. One of the 3 elephants in particular looked magnificent with the tips of his tusks cut off and covered with what looked like brass plates covering the ends. The elephants were the most passive and beautiful beasts and we were given a treat of the sounding of their trumpets. There were a few excited students after that experience.
The day stretched into another visit; this time churches. St Francis Xavier church had people curiously lining up to see St Francis Xavier, whose body is still visible in a glass coffin displayed on a high plinth. Quite freaky for some. You can imagine the conversation it sparked.
The Dominicans Church a short walk across the road revealed some superb side chapels with ornate altars, brilliantly large and spectacular chandelliers, old fashioned confession boxes(which some of the students tried out, of course)and an amazing outlook from the front doors. Our fantastic day ended with a Goan river cruise which was simply bollywood. Dancing on cruise boat is such a novel idea.
You can imagine we were one tired lot after that super eventful day.

Here are some Haiku we have come up with. Haiku (Japanese verse in the form of syllables 3 lines of verse. Line 1 5 syllables, line 2, 7 syllables, line 3, 5 syllables) to make succinct their ideas of their experiences so far.
Enjoy the following Haiku's

GOA

Footsteps, humble, huge, quiet
Astride the vast elephant
Joy flows through us all
Lizzie

Indian sunset
Red flows the twilight sky
Beauty in Goa
Charlotte

Amazing Goa
Sun, sand and relaxation
spending time with friends
Sam Prebble

Friends last for life
Memories in India
Last for a lifetime
Johnny Lester

Sunburn and chaffing
Are results of having fun
India is choice
Johnny Lester

A break in the trip
Beach, rest and recreation
Time to contemplate
Bernie

Temple, shoes off
So holy and reverent
A peaceful quiet time
Bernie

Prayers, offerings, incense
Devoted Hindus visit
Bow before Vishnu
Rosemary

So apprehensive
A whole new experience
The elephant ride
Bernie

KOLKATA

Dark day beginning
Praying, washing, cooking now
What will happen next?
Rosemary

Bread, bananas, chai
Last day, thank, love, miss you all
Four rupees to work
Rosemary

Kingfisher is great
Great times had on Kingfisher
The king of good times
Johnny Lester

Daily life proceeds
Living on the streets for some
Why are we lucky?
Margaret-Mary

New Zealand's beauty
is only experienced
in third-world countries
Mitch Green

NEW DELHI

All senses alert
zigging, zagging, tuktuk ride
Welcome to Delhi
Berine

Squashed, tense, holding on
swerving, dartin, breath-holding
the first tuktuk ride
Bernie

Traffic is crazy
Don't give way and keep looking
Horns sound, day and night
Johnny Lester

Overwhelming crowds
struggles to find fresher air
claustrophobic much
Johnny Lester

Bazaar, cows and food
Busy, loud, smelly, tasty
Palek paneer please
Rosemary

Hope you enjoyed these. There are many more that the students have done in their journals.

A few of us are currently at an internet cafe doing our last minute bits before we head off to the beach. Like Sam said, our last day here in Goa.
Namastaar