The not so famous 4 go hitch hiking

Quickly opened up the rest of the house and set up the furniture, gas, etc.

Introduced Ajay to his first semi ripe mango picked off the ground and not washed and cut!

The boys volunteered to go to pick up fizzies to keep us company for lunch. Freshed up in the mean time. Aunty Fatima outdid herself with the meal she provided us this time. There was Paddy (Goa unpolished rice), fish curry, fried fish, shells and vegetable. (We usually get watered curry, rice and a tiny piece of fish) I think it was the boys who got us the good lunch! Tucked in and tried to get some zzzzzz’s (yup in the heat without the fans). Thankfully the electrician came as promised at around 4 and fixed the problem. Carbon had formed at the contact points because of little use.

Lay down only for a little while as we had to go to pick up provisions later. While Ruth and Crispin fell asleep, Ajay and I went to the posroa (the village provision store) to pick up the basic necessities. Later we had plans to go to Mapusa and Badem (which is where Crispin’s Granny lives)

Walked up to Cansa Board to take a tempo (which is a mini bus) to Mapusa. Thankfully it was not crowded. We picked up the rest of the stuff Granny needed, had some shewrma and sugar cane juice, then headed for Badem. It was 8 p.m. by this time and Crispin assured us we would get the last bus back to Mapusa (which I think was at 8 p.m.). We had to kiss that bus goodbye when the conducter on the bus that took us to Badem informed us that we were traveling by the last bus into Badem which did not go back into Mapusa! Anyway we dropped off Aunty’s parcel and inquired if there was any transport that would take us back. We were told to walk to the 4 roads junction ( 15 minutes away) where we might get some transport. We trudged along with apprehension rising, willing some vehicle to come along -bus, rick, van anything would do. Finally we flagged down a small pickup truck - with a family in it. However they were heading to Calangute which is in the opposite direction from home. But they agreed to drop us off at a junction where there was likely to be more sign of life. We reached there and asked a taxi if he would take us into Mapusa. “300 rupees” came the prompt reply. Crispin tried bringing him down but to no avail. He knew we were desperate. Then like a savior came this pickup truck- identical to the one we had just traveled in. We asked the man if he would drop us to Mapusa. He agreed at the rate of 10 bucks per head. So we climbed in. Some of us a little worried. We went driving down winding roads most of which were pitch black. I honestly was very worried. For those who have been to the villages of Goa will know that after 7 getting around is a nightmare if u don’t have your own vehicle. But the man was a good soul and we reached Mapusa safely. Then came the hope that we would get some conveyance to Thivim. We did (which is when I started breathing easily) and were home by 9.

Looking back, both the hitch hiked rides were awesome. It was lovely to ride in an open truck, under the stars with wind in your hair. Maybe we should try it again with a known vehicle.

Dinner was eaten.The boys helped with the dishes and bedding and we called it a night.

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