An elderly local couple was preparing to take a sunset shoot, and a foreigner walking past stopped, waited for them to take the picture and after smilingly acknowledging their bond, proceeded.
However, the couple stopped her, thanked her for her gesture and therein began a warm conversation that stretched the sunset enough to throw light that tourism in Goa is also bringing communities together.
“It was decent of you to stop, till we clicked our picture. Such acts of kindness cannot be seen these days, and that you did, shows your gentleness,” expressed Oliver, as he and his wife invited the foreigner to join them for a cup of tea.
The gesture of the foreigner and how the locals reciprocated, explains why foreigners love coming back and why they are favourites of most locals. Such chemistry is one reason why those who come once, want to return.
“There are hundreds of people who walk on the beach and rarely does one find someone who will halt till a picture is taken. Our own people don’t do it, but a foreigner has,” says Oliver, as they enjoy their tea conversing with their new friend.
Shacks on the southern coast are not empty any longer nor are they packed, but the smiles on the faces of the owners indicate that their cash tills are jingling enough to last through the rains and till the next season starts.
“We expected a rush during December, but it did not happen and so, most of us panicked. Business is good now or better than we expected at this time of the year, with both foreigners and Indian tourists really enjoying the beach,” observes shack owner, Mark.
If foreigners and Indians are still flowing in to enjoy the serenity found best in Goa, event mangers are smiling, with desi weddings on the beach seeing an upsurge.
As Rohan and Savita get set to take their wedding pictures on the beach, Mark from the UK intervenes, asks the couple whether he could click a picture and shouts praises to the bride.
The gesture of the foreigner and how the locals reciprocated, explains why foreigners love coming back and why they are favourites of most locals. Such chemistry is one reason why those who come once, want to return.
“See, see,” the bride’s friends exclaims, “Rohan is getting jealous.” Everyone bursts into laughter, and slowly more foreigners join in. It is Instagram time again, only this time, pepped with a lot of positivity and the tone of East meeting West.
As the sun sets, there are many leaving the beach and others return for dinner and drinks.
As tables, with lit candles, are placed on the sands, the southern coastal belt flickers with passion, friendship and at some places, just the satisfaction of enjoying a lovely evening with good friends.
“Chicken and fish are more sought after in the evenings along with red wine, while the English men go for gin and tonic. The Russians cannot do without their vodka,” says Mark as service picks up at most shacks from 7 pm onwards.
Customers can be heard chatting or laughing, and in a few places, people can be seen dancing; but, at most paces, music is for listening pleasure.
If foreigners and Indians are still flowing in to enjoy the serenity found best in Goa, event mangers are smiling, with desi weddings on the beach seeing an upsurge.
“To get a chance to sit on the beach and have dinner is something we cannot do in our state. It is such memories that make us come again and again,” says Sushil, as she carries her grandson for a stroll with her daughter.
With Carnival less than a month away, tourism stakeholders in South Goa have erased the disappointment of December and are enjoying the good times with their guests.