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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2014 19:35:01 GMT
I confess that every now and then I have an urge to purchase a few thali trays in the Indian shops in Paris but then I realise how ridiculous it would be for me to use such a thing at home. (And yet, growing up in the United States, I saw many dishes on sale with compartments, even though I assume that they were mostly aimed at children when they are at the phase where different food items must absolutely not touch each other. Then again, there were the frozen TV dinners which used the same system in foil trays, but somehow the slop would always get mixed a little bit no matter what.)
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 26, 2014 4:03:50 GMT
Thanks Bixa, your comments are appreciated.
K2, the thalis I've been having don't come in a tray with separate compartments. there is one big tray with a selection of small metal dishes on it. You then empty some/all of the components together on to the tray and eat it up all in one with, as expected, the bread. I tend to eat with one of the supplied spoons though and I don't put all the bits and bobs together at one time.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 26, 2014 7:12:57 GMT
My late uncle who served as a medic/chemist in WWII always referred to an upset stomach as 'gypo-guts' and I can only imagine it was from his stint in North Africa/Egypt. Don't think you can avoid the unfortunate condition by watching what you eat - even in Kruger National Park a change of camp area means a change in the water. Although pure and clean the chemical content like lime, will tell your stomach "If you go out in the woods today, you're in for a big surprise"! Thanks Mark - My body has just hit the 70, but my mind is way back in the 40's
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 26, 2014 9:31:43 GMT
When my father came out to Egypt to see me after my mother had died (he came twice) he kept referring to the Egyptians as gypos. He also spent time there as a young man and must have picked it up then. Also, having a 'gippy tummy' is a common expression but I bet hardly anyone understands it probably refers to Egyptians as well.
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 26, 2014 9:40:15 GMT
Anyway, I seem to have settled into a bit of a routine. Up at 7am, breakfast 8-10am, down to the beach and turn left or right depending on how the fancy takes me. 10am-4pm, walk and swim for two or three kilometres, have a long lunch at a beach bar, walk and swim back. Have a shower and doss around in the garden/room until about 7pm when go out somewhere for a dinner. Back home and in bed around 10-11pm. It's a hard life but someone has to do it to bring you these reports. Sympathy notes are best written on postcards please.
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Post by questa on Nov 26, 2014 9:40:24 GMT
Upset tummy has many travellers names. Some I have heard...
Bali Belly Delhi Belly Montezuma's revenge Kathmandu Curse Tropical Trots
I've forgotten some, what have others heard?
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 27, 2014 10:43:08 GMT
For the last couple of days I’ve been round the area on my bike and along the beach just to see what it is like. A few photos were taken along the way. Rural Goa – Just confirming I’m going in the right direction – In case you’ve never heard of the cheapest production car in the world, here it is. The Tata Nano. The first price it was sold at was equivalent to $2000 but even at that price it has never taken off and isn’t as popular as hoped. One of the reasons is that compared to a motorbike, which in India regularly carries a family anyway, it is a lot more expensive. Plus there is more social cachet in owning a better car but used than a new Nano which is stigmatised somewhat by the fact it is the cheapest in the world. I’ve seen them all over but not in great numbers – By the way, I’ve omitted to mention I actually have a business here. Just up my street as well, car stuff – I carried on along more back roads – Saw abandoned boats – Colourful houses – Then I came across a bit of a wood workshop – In his spare time he knocks up a few of these no doubt that were at the side of it – Goa has a long tradition of making furniture and there are some beautiful pieces around. I think they use a lot of Mango tree wood. I had a bit of a road blockage and could do nothing but sit and wait it out. Must have been the lunchtime rush hour - The plan was to work my way south this time along the back roads and eventually cut down onto the beach. Then work my way back up the beach after stopping for lunch. So that’s what I did. As I cut onto the sand I look south – And then north – I stopped at the first beach bar I could find and had a salad and a bowl of soup. Then a fruit salad with yoghurt. Then banana fritters with honey. Then a pot of tea. Then I thought I’d better make a move. I first had to stop for a swim though and saw gambolling too far away to take any photos, a couple of dolphins. After quite some time and another swim I eventually made it back to roughly the area where I am staying. I somehow though took the wrong road cutting back off the beach. It wasn’t far out of the way, only a kilometre or so, but I’m glad I did when I came across them drying the fish. I’ll leave you with this –
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 11:49:18 GMT
Even dead, the fish swim in schools!
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Post by bjd on Nov 27, 2014 12:13:30 GMT
I notice your car service company offers "denting". Is that because people can't make their own dents?
Do the young women in Goa not wear saris?
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Post by questa on Nov 27, 2014 12:18:03 GMT
These scenes are so like Sri Lanka. I must post some from there one day.
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 27, 2014 15:45:49 GMT
bjd, few women here do seem to wear them. A quarter of Goans are Catholic anyway. In the photos of the women carrying stuff on their head the two in dresses would be Catholic. The single woman looks like she has pulled up the bottom half of her sari to clear it from her legs. It may be what is called a Pano Bhaju. Have a look at these two web pages. It might give a better answer than I can - www.indianscriptures.com/vedic-society/traditional-dresses-and-accessories/costumes-and-jewelry-of-goawww.goa-tours-india.com/goa-tourism/fashion-in-goa.htmlMy place offers denting because no driver worth his salt would be seen dead in an undented car. It is a sign of 'un-macho-ness'. k2, yep it seems even the dead fish like to organise themselves. questa, I was going to Sri Lanka next February but it has got put back to some time in the future due to other commitments.
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 27, 2014 16:24:21 GMT
I headed down to the beach area to try and get a couple of shots of the birds of prey that hang around in the trees just to the rear. I need a better lens on the camera – I sat there for a while contemplating my navel, doing my yoga and then tai chi, meditating with a Buddha like calm and examining the aura of everyone who walked past, mentally re-arranging the beach bars to tie in with feng shui principles when I saw a bit of a commotion further down the beach. Due to my heightened state of being I levitated across to it whilst juggling with my fire sticks. I then had to walk back to where I’d left my bike and rode it instead to the gathering. What are these doing, I thought – I hung around a bit more and saw – They pulled and pulled – Further out in the sea I could see a little head bobbing up and down – Even the local religious community had come to look – They were pulling in a net – A lot of the fish were escaping though – These fish – I thought there was no point in pulling in one end of a net. Then I saw quite some distance away more men on the other end of it – Out in the sea was the boat at the apex – The birds were having a feast – The women were clearing what had already been brought ashore – A long while later they were still pulling it in – And then there was a bit of an anti-climax. The sun set, it got dark and everyone left, leaving the net half in and half out of the water. Maybe they’ll finish the job off in the morning. I have no idea.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 16:53:44 GMT
When I see things like this, I'm amazed that there are any fish left in the sea.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 28, 2014 2:07:04 GMT
This is SO great! Wonderful pictures. Love the organized fish & the group of nuns & teens staring out to sea.
Could you swing by & pick me up a Nano? What an adorable little car. I'd like it not dented please, & in yellow.
Thanks!
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 2:29:01 GMT
I probably can literally 'pick one up' bixa. They look like they are made of very thin stuff.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 28, 2014 3:38:32 GMT
It's India, Mark. Find me one with good karma & the tinny material shouldn't matter.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2014 6:20:02 GMT
Wonderful photos again Mark - Drying fish....the aroma must be terrific Surely they rot first?? I can imagine the amount of flies that descend on those fish - the reason I'm thinking this is because I went to our fish market yesterday to see if the crayfish or langoustines had arrived ( for Xmas paella) As I waited I spotted two flies crawling around a large tuna head. This fish is all virtually buried in ice and yet the smell still attracts them. Looking forward to more bike rides Mark.
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 6:26:25 GMT
The smell was certainly fishy but as for rotting... didn't actually see too many flies round them at all. The birds were more of a problem.
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Post by questa on Nov 28, 2014 9:02:44 GMT
Just to give you a taste of your beach's likeness to Sri Lanka, Mark.
Trincomalee where British Navy ships filled the harbour in WW2
Above is a fish trap . Tide brings in fish and as it goes out the people net the fish who can't escape.
Drying fish in Negombo...place still in a mess following the Tsunami
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 11:57:26 GMT
That looks very similar. Not surprising in a way I suppose. If I were to go with Mrs M for a bit of a beach holiday, which would be a good place?
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 12:38:59 GMT
I took advantage of the washing machine today and cleaned a load of stuff that was beginning to show signs of abuse. Whilst waiting for it to dry I slipped down on to the beach for the last time before I start on the long drive tomorrow back to Delhi. I’m staying within a 10 min walk of a beach called Sernabatim. It is just north of Benaulim beach and a way south of Colva beach. Colva is quite dirty and very busy. I can see it in the distance and a few days ago had a walk up to it. I immediately turned round and came back. It wasn’t for me. Fortunately there is a lot of space between me and it with some deserted areas in between. Funnily enough it seems few of those staying there, which is usually package orientated people, walk down to where I am. I’ve spent time between the two swimming and lazing and see few walking past. There are innumerable beach bars at Colva, south of me at Benaulim there are half a dozen or more but where I am there are just three, plus a locals shack that I’ve passed many a time and never seen a tourist in at all. I’ve been a couple of times for a snack as they aren’t open at night. This is the view from it – The menu – And the shack itself – I’ve had my eye on a property that would be ideal. Just needs a bit of renovation – The beach cleaners keep this area spic and span – I’ve seen a lot of boats – Quite substantial boats, they are, and the thought is, how do they get them so far up the beach? With one of these – The latest fashion for fisherwives – I also saw today a lot smaller version of the fishing net used yesterday. At least they finished the job off and brought it all in. Some of the types of fish caught, for anyone who knows anything about them – I couldn’t resist one final photo to round of the stay in Goa – Tomorrow, drive, drive. drive. At least 8 to 9 hours methinks and back to reality.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
Awwww.... that was terrific Mark! I love your last shot from the water...never did retrieve your camera cover then? I forgot to mention that I noticed the dawg snatching up some fish - now that's a new one on me! A dog who can eat fish. In one photo a man has got his arm raised as if to swat him away from the fish on the beach. Am I right Mark? That dawg ate fish? I know nothing (well almost nothing) about fish but that big one like a tuna shape with huge eyes reminds me of a baby whale but that ones only as big as a whales sperm I think. Not too much 'bar duty' tonight or else you'll make a late start Safe journey Mark! That was a lovely essay!
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Post by mossie on Nov 28, 2014 14:51:45 GMT
Your fishermen took me right back to the Great Bitter Lake on the Suez Canal. They had two variations. 1 the net was anchored to the shore and a boat would be rowed round in a big arc and all hands would haul it in 2 Two boats were used out in the lake with the net between them, they would row round in a circle and then haul the net when they met up. Large flails, two pieces of wood joined by a piece of leather, would sometimes be used to beat the water to frighten in fish into the net. At night the boats would carry a lantern. It was quite eerie at night to hear the flails thumping away
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 15:27:10 GMT
Mossie, I was there only a few years ago and the technique has not changed one iota. If it works, they think, why change it?
tod, I'm teetotal so any bars I go to are really restaurants and I am drinking here lemon sodas. They tend to add salt and/or sugar to them so I always have to ask for plain ones. I looked back at what you mean about the dog and the fish. The one after it shows a dog sniffing round the net but I've no idea if it ate any. The one you refer to with the man and his hand raised, I did see the man hitting the dog, it appeared to be his dog as normally they run off because it stayed with him after he hit it but I don't know what it had done. I would expect, as there are some stray dogs here, that they'll eat whatever they can lay their paws on.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2014 16:53:53 GMT
It would be better if the swine ate the dog and put it out of its misery..... Aah teetotal Hey... that means we can never get sloshed together ha ha!! Oh please tell me that is a new word to your ears?? It is I think purely South African. Mark, I never get sloshed but I do like my wine. In any form....champers, white, red, rose`!
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 28, 2014 17:37:56 GMT
Sorry but sloshed is quite common in the UK.
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Post by bjd on Nov 28, 2014 19:17:13 GMT
"Sloshed" was used in Canada too, but it may have been British influence.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 20:44:48 GMT
Yes, sloshed is even used in the United States. Words like that tend to slosh around through all cultures.
Speaking of pulling amazing things onto shore, I actually saw men pulling cargo ships onto shore in Baluchistan, and it is really a mind boggling sight, although I assume that it is timed to be done when the tide is coming in. Some day I will find my photos of this event. The ship graveyard was astounding with the thousands of people cutting the ships into little pieces with no safety equipment of any kind.
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Post by lola on Nov 28, 2014 22:43:18 GMT
Very cool, oM. That was quite a net, indeed, and I like the swimming fish school effect in that last one from yesterday.
While "chatting" with the AT&T customer "service" rep the other day, "Shaun K." (sorry; going with excessive quotation marks for sake of accuracy) asked me how the weather was where I am. I'd have preferred a something germane to the matter I was IM-ing about, but one must be civil, so I said it was snowing, how about where he was? Anyway we ended up chatting about Southern India and Goa, since I was feeling knowlegable and willing to suspend my irritated-with-AT&T mood for a few minutes. "Shaun" confided that he will be going to a New Year's party in Goa. We agreed it seemed like a lovely place for a party. (Finally, thirty minutes into the "chat," which was partly really a chat, he transferred me to Vin -- possibly his real name, I suppose, so quotes optional -- who told me they did not handle that sort of question there and gave me another department's telephone number.)
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Post by questa on Nov 28, 2014 23:22:54 GMT
Thank you, Mark, for spiriting me away to tropic climes again. Your coverage was so laid back I relaxed into holiday mode again. For you and Mrs M...depends on what time of year you go. There are 2 monsoon seasons, one North the other South. It means that there is always a good beach season on half the island. Depending on your timing of holidays you go north or south. I went North and liked the area around Trinco (as it's called.) Also close to many historic forts and other places. It was frontline in the civil war and some villages lost all their men who were fishing when the tsunami hit, so it is not glossy touristy. Several US and European charities are building schools etc for the people. Deer wander along the main road in the shopping precinct and the place is surprisingly clear of rubbish. Beaches are clean. I did not go to the south but I foresee a great future in that area for youth oriented water activities. This may help you www.srilanka.travel/pristine_beach_holidaysI think tourism in SL has a great future, even if my trip was uneventful and a little bland.
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