I dont remember clearly how many times I have visited this city for vacation and everytime I knew I will come back because there are multiple places thats on my pending list. This time I came because my daughter choose Goa to celebrate her 6th birthday. Ironically she never celebrates her birthday, it was Goa that she wanted to come.
I got her a cake post lunch, but she was so upset that she said, I wont cut the cake. My dad then complained about his stomach pain. I immidiately rushed to hospital where he was disgnosed with gall bladder stones. My mother, hubby and daughter came a little late to hospital by evening. At the end of the day, my daughter didnt cut the cake, she even didnt saw the cake, actually no one even cared to open the cake. She and my husband left for Pune the same night as scheduled, and i stayed back with my father and mother at the hospital..Today, my father is recovering post a successful operation at the hospital
In past when ever I visited Goa, we visited Beaches, Churches, Temples, Fort, explored Goa in Hop on Hop off bus, rented car, rented bike. Clicked pictures, updated Whatsapp status, ate lots of icecreams and everything unhealthy and yummy. Didnt cared to check our watch or phone. The memories that went with me were almost same say 5 to 10 % change.
But the last 4 days with Goan people, who are Goan or came here and became Goan by spirit, I realised a new Goa.
I took a cab to a near by hospital 2 kmts and was chaged 300 INR, the hospital said they dont have specialist and referred to Vision + in Mapusa somewhere 12 kmts from the last hospital. I asked the same cab driver, he not only took us, dad vomitted while enroute, he shared his water bottle, didnt even flitch his nose or said anything for the smell and mess his cab was. He charged only 200INR and said "Take care" while we drop off at the hospital.
At hospital, everyone from Doctor, to Nurse, to insurance lady to canteen guys. In four days they make me feel that I have known them for years. There is a smile on their faces, no matter how many times I disturb them in night. The canteen as a set of menu, but they are always willing to mend it based on the customer requirements. and its not just me, its the same attitude with every other patient here.
Dad will be discharged on Monday but we have to stay in Goa for atleast 4-5 days for followup. I was searching internet for hotels, villas, apartments near hospital or near market area but couldnt finalize one. Suddenly on Google I saw a villa Acacia very near to the hospital.I called the owner and the owner said he is full but can give for a couple of days . I walked down to see the apartment, having stayed in hotels I have my own perseption whether or not to go for it. I saw the villa, the first thought came, its a home. I told the owner why I am looking for a room with a kitchen. He showed me a room perfect for me clean homely and he said, when you dad gets discharged, give me a call, "I will come and pick him up. No need to book a cab"
Last time when I was here in Goa with my husband and daughter, we booked a hopon and hop off bus and came to know that the late CM Pariker ceremony was going on so the main Panaji area is closed. The bus driver spoke about the CM like he was his buddy, We met multiple people that day and everyone was working but they didnt forgot to mention to us "Tourist" that the Goa we are seeing today is the hardwork of him. The gratitude a person was receiving from the lower income group made me wonder how wonderfull that politician would be who have touched lives.
I saw people wearing T shirt "I love Goa" . I dont know if I love Goa or not but I love the Bus connectivity, peoples smile, the simplicity, the caring, the passion of doing their job, the sincerity, the open midedness, the helpfull nature, the gratitude..... and many more..
I am sure of only one thing, "I am coming back to GOA again!!! "
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