Most people would probably stay away from Goa during the monsoons. But somehow, I like this season. Maybe, because one of my fondest memories was going with a few friends to Goa in August of 1998.

We found a magical beach way back then - no people, no crowds - just us and the rains! Of course, things have changed since then. The beach got discovered and became like any other Goa beach filled with shacks and stalls all along the main road.

During the rains, however, the shacks close down and the vendors move elsewhere in search of business.

And so, I return to the same beach, in search of some peach and quiet.

All along the stretch of the crescent shaped beach are just a few others who have braved the rains, and a few dogs. And so we take long walks (mostly in search of meals). Read, sleep, gaze into the sea and listen to the sound of the roaring surf. There’s little else to do and little I want to do.

It rains a little now and then and I happily whip out the raincoat. It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to wear one.

A shop keeper charges us 150 for port wine on the first day and 100 the next day. But that’s the way it seems to work around here, so we don’t complain much.

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, head for Goa. It’s a magical time before the crowded tourist season begins next month.

The Flickr Album: Goa in the Rains

I’ve already posted this in Metblogs, but I wanted to make a personal appeal too. It’s about a lady called Janet who plants trees.

What you can do!
You can have a tree planted on someone’s behalf to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, ceremony, or just another day you’re glad to be alive. Just for about 10o bucks, which I am sure all of us spend that amount without much thought.

So far she’s planted over 650 trees…She’s looking for people who can become members of her charitable trust and contribute 100 rupees per month.

She’s also trying to get in touch with companies to see if the corporates can accommodate her mission - The Rajanet Yegneshwaran Charitable Trust.

She plants trees anywhere and everywhere - sidewalks, schools, churches, company compounds, houses… If you know any place where there’s place for a tree, get in touch with Janet on 9845449703.

I’ve talked to Janet also and she said she would love more help, volunteers, corporate sponsorships for tree guards, so if you can help in some little way, please do!

It’s a concern as to how our tree cover is depleting all around us. We can’t stop trees being cut down to make way for bigger roads and taller buildings, but we can do our small little bit by planting many more.

If I write a book, I’d like to do it in a quiet place like this one. Sitting outside a cottage, looking over a beautiful mist covered valley. Watching the rolling hills and catching a glimpse of a shimmering lake in the distance. Enjoying a hot cup of coffee and the company of Deku (the cute dog we adopted for the weekend).

It was an outing with the girls and four of us set off to spend some time at this off-the-beaten-track village in Tamil Nadu. It was magical. One of those places you don’t want to tell anyone about because you don’t want it to lose it’s quaint and quiet charm. And you definitely don’t want to see it teeming with truck loads of loud touristy families with a bunch of badly behaved children.

No… this is one place that will go un-named. Just a few pictures to capture it’s beauty.

Some places, I feel, are best left un-discovered!

The Album

There are some people you meet in the course of your life, that leave an indelible impression. They become a part of your memory. They bring a smile to your face when sometimes the memory flits across your head, unbidden but most welcome.

Pasupathy amma is one such lady.

And what a lady she is too. Bustling with energy, she runs a small tea / snacks shop in a small village*. It has one main road and her main customers are travellers who pass by that way and want some refreshment.

We met her on the first day of our stay and we had to keep going back to her tiny shack to eat whatever she would cook up for us.

She was so cheerful that it was difficult not to smile when you saw her. And all this despite the fact that she knew only Tamil, and I couldn’t understand a word of anything she was saying.

And yet, she was thrilled with her four city visitors, all women, might I add. She proudly showed off to anyone listening as to how she was communicating with us without any problems. She would let us talk to her competition - shop owners nearby - for 15 minutes, not more!

She fed us, chatted with us like old friends and when we left, she had tears in her eyes.

She introduced us to her husband (whose name she wouldn’t take) and gamely posed beside him for a picture. They looked so happy and made for each other - I don’t think any amount of riches can buy that. I had to mail them the pictures and I can almost see the delight in her face when she sees them.

What a woman! In the world of her making, she seems so happy with just what she has.

And what a place. We hope to go back. For the fresh air. For the lovely lake in the middle of the hills. The flocks of cute sheep that would stop in their tracks to look at us curiously. For the mist covered rolling hills and of course, for Pasupathy amma.

(* A small village that will go unnamed. Near Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu.)

When she came into my life in 2001, I didn’t know a thing about cats.

But being an animal lover, I took to her like a fish to water. I read about cats, went online, talked to my vet and then realised that they’re the unfussiest of creatures to keep at home. Morever, you don’t need to take them out for daily walks. They’re independent and don’t go into depression if they’re left alone.

During her growing up days, Kit Kit used to be a riot. Sleeping on the tummy, or curling up into a small ball next to the pillow, swinging from bags, hiding in drawers - she would keep me entertained all the time.

Now she’s all grown up and full of feline grace. And totally lazy too. She only comes looking for me when she needs the warmth of my blanket, in the evenings when it gets a little cool.

When I moved from Mumbai to Bangalore, I put her in a basket and booked an Indian Airlines flight (which claimed that it allowed small pets in the cabin) though I had loads of trouble getting final approval! I didn’t have the heart to put her in the hold. She didn’t utter a single sound all the way, she was too terrified of the loud noises. When we touched down at Bangalore airport, she let out a meek meow as if to remind me that she was still there!

The best part about having her is the fact that in some of my difficult times, she’s been around and I’ve never felt totally alone. I know it seems and sounds strange. It’s not as if I can have a conversation with her, but I think just knowing that there’s another heart beating in the house has been such a blessing.

Animals - cats, dogs - or anything else really are such a joy to be around. I for one, can never totally comprehend how people can proclaim they’re not “into animals” or cats/dogs. It’s quite sad really. They can make such a difference to our lives.