Good Friday is when restaurants and shacks run by Catholics remain closed. It’s a single day’s break taken by the local community, but it does not have much bearing on tourists who are aware of it.
First timers, however, may have had their Good Friday fun cart upset, as loud music was muted, and hence, most busy streets at night were found empty on this day.
Goa was, therefore, calm with those arriving for a long weekend holiday awaiting the parties that will take off on Easter eve. This night, like New Year and a few other festivals, is when time tends to sleep.
“Easter parties are always big in North Goa. This time, I will be going to Arambol. The vibe there is not as aggressive as in Vagator or Anjuna,” admits Carl, who has flown down from North India with friends.
“As this is not my first visit,” discloses Carl, “we decided to take it easy today (Friday) and get ready for tomorrow. It is important to respect the sentiments of the people.”
Easter eve, or the day before Easter Sunday, normally sees most locals going to church to attend the Easter vigil service that commences close to midnight. After that, families may attend dances, join others at parties, and some even visit rave parties along the coast.
For some locals, attending parties after the Easter vigil is a tradition as they break their 40-day abstinence of alcohol and merriment at these places. The fun for them begins from that moment on.
Lent is a period in Goa when the faithful abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol or intoxicants. Easter, for many, is getting back to the normal days.
“I will go for some party on Easter Eve after midnight mass. After abstaining from alcohol and pork meat for 40 days, the urge is too much. A chilled beer will set the night rolling for me,” admits Remedios.
By Saturday evening, traffic along the northern coastal belt will increase, with locals and tourists preparing for the celebration, and the same will be true in the south, although locals will outnumber tourists after the Eucharistic celebration.
Once the parties start, caution is the best gear that all need to wear, because after 40 days of abstinence both, locals as well as tourists, could be found violating traffic rules.
“Accidents do happen during Easter because many locals drink after the 40 days of Lent), and they are bound to forget their limitations. The police will be patrolling around the belt after midnight, but discretion is best,” admitted a police officer.
Though no music is allowed to be played in the open after 10 pm, based on a Supreme Court Of India directive, the State government extends a leeway till midnight, after which, no music is to be played.
However, with the heat on and foreign tourists returning to their country, this is the time of the year when discretion is thrown to the wind because when it is party time, there is no stopping.