New Year's Eve was spent at another market where I perfected my bartering skills, came away like a bandit, admired the shackled chickens who were awaiting their dinner debut and made my way through baskets piled high with dried fish. Gulped down a sweet Limca (lime soda) as the sun won the war against hydration and electrolytes. Found the public squat toilets, paid my 2 Rupees (not the 5 the guard was trying to finangle) and picked my way across the wet floor.
The merchants come from everywhere around India. These two, mother and son from Karnataka, have the best smiles and greeted us every day. Gave them some business today, learned a bit about their lives. The boy would be in school, but he is not a resident here in Goa so can not go, must wait til he returns home (March?). Though home in Karnataka is no home at all...think shanty town, tarp houses, no electricity or water. And a dad who doesn't work, but drinks. Rent for the month, here in Goa, is 4000 rupees, expensive for them. That's approximately $100, 1/5 of what I gave them today.
We are the lucky ones. It bears repeating, though: That kid has got the best smile (and spirit to go with it).
No comments:
Post a Comment