This is Lloyd speaking this time around.
The sounds of the birds at 6:00 am are amazing, not melodious- raucous. We got up at 7:30 and had a breakfast of toast, fruit and a vegetable stew with dosas. We planned our day to start with a long walk, but within a quarter of a mile of walking, we were engaged in conversation by a rickshaw driver named John. After a spirited session of our saying, "No we want to walk," we were in his cab (and that of his buddy, Babbu). We set off to get some of B&D's money exchanged into rupees. Riding in a motorized rickshaw is hair raising because people are diving in and out of lanes on foot, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, hand carts and giant busses, as well as cars.
John took us to a guy's house to exchange money, because the offices were closed on Sunday. Pleasant guy and cute kids; mission accomplished easily. We then had greater confidence in John. So we set off with him to see the Basilica, then the Church of Vasco di Gama and then a walk on the beach. There were also stops to see a large communal laundry, the Dhobis. it's run as a cooperative enterprise, and fish and meat market. We stopped at the Jain Temple (very nice peaceful place, especially after the fish and meat market). We watched a big wedding at another church and then were delivered (with our consent) to a government crafts store. Much to our surprise, we each bought a rug, which will be delivered, we hope, directly to our homes. We know the story, i.e., that John will get rewarded by the store, but it was ok. We were now hungry, so John took us to the Krishna Cafe for a late lunch of masala dosas, which were tasty and cheap. We headed back to Beena Homestay and made arrangements with John to pick us up at 9:30 the next morning. I am writing this at 4:30 as we rest up before dinner.
The sounds of the birds at 6:00 am are amazing, not melodious- raucous. We got up at 7:30 and had a breakfast of toast, fruit and a vegetable stew with dosas. We planned our day to start with a long walk, but within a quarter of a mile of walking, we were engaged in conversation by a rickshaw driver named John. After a spirited session of our saying, "No we want to walk," we were in his cab (and that of his buddy, Babbu). We set off to get some of B&D's money exchanged into rupees. Riding in a motorized rickshaw is hair raising because people are diving in and out of lanes on foot, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, hand carts and giant busses, as well as cars.
John took us to a guy's house to exchange money, because the offices were closed on Sunday. Pleasant guy and cute kids; mission accomplished easily. We then had greater confidence in John. So we set off with him to see the Basilica, then the Church of Vasco di Gama and then a walk on the beach. There were also stops to see a large communal laundry, the Dhobis. it's run as a cooperative enterprise, and fish and meat market. We stopped at the Jain Temple (very nice peaceful place, especially after the fish and meat market). We watched a big wedding at another church and then were delivered (with our consent) to a government crafts store. Much to our surprise, we each bought a rug, which will be delivered, we hope, directly to our homes. We know the story, i.e., that John will get rewarded by the store, but it was ok. We were now hungry, so John took us to the Krishna Cafe for a late lunch of masala dosas, which were tasty and cheap. We headed back to Beena Homestay and made arrangements with John to pick us up at 9:30 the next morning. I am writing this at 4:30 as we rest up before dinner.
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