There are so many odd things that happen here in Goa. This morning we were on our way to the beach when we spotted a 56 seater tourist coach that had been parked on some rough ground by the driver who had popped into a shop for some supplies. Unfortunately, he got it completely stuck in some soft sand, so he got the Indian tourists to help push it back on to the road. I just cant imagine that ever happening in the UK, there were men getting bits of wood and stone to put under the wheels, sadly I didnt get a photo, but I'm reliably told by the head of housekeeping (nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia) that they did a sterling job!
The boys in the card school had moved from the middle of the road into the field under a tree - taxi drivers lying in wait for prey!
Had a detour to the local shop - Home Supplies where they regularly give you change in sweets or chocolate if there are not enough 1,2,5 rupees. They also provide a money changing service, deliver water, sell any kitchen utensil in the world ,gas, children's clothes, flipflops etc etc. and they also have the most wonderful selection of fancy cakes, Indian pastries etc.
No trip out seems to be without a visit to the ATM. As the Indians now have a new rule that you can only get out 10,000 rupees at a time, about £80 now that the £ has hit an all time low, about 25% lower than last year, we seem to be constantly having to get money. All the ATM's are in an air conditioned room on the side of the banks with a security guard, who will help sort out any problems you have getting your money. At one particular machine the guard actually shouts all the instructions to you from the back of the room, quite useful sometimes.
Because the Indians have had to pay all their 5,000 & 1,000 rupee notes into the banks to get them exchanged there seem to be very few visiting the coast. Apparently a substantial amount of people who kept money under the bed for many years could not get all their money changed and the Government only gave them 5 weeks in which to do it, then the money is void. Lawrence told us that a lot of people just threw them on the fire or papered their windows with them. So the beaches are quiet.
This evening we were just about to have a pre dinner G & T when a crowd of people arrived in the field with two bulls like the one above. The Indians bet on which bull will run away first, no matadors or picadors here, just two bulls facing one another - very odd?
Sorry not a great picture. Tonight we are off to Pedros in Benaulim for a Reggae night. More tomorrow.......
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