Impressions
Nov. 19th, 2008 01:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dagibbsI'm in Goa, which is a small state in India about 1/2 way down its west coast. It was originally a Portugese colony, which I'm told makes it quite different. It does look to be quite small compared to all the other states.
I'm told that people from Goa are "Goans first, then Indians second".
English seems to be the main language of literacy. Most signs -- advertising, road signs, warning signs, etc -- are in English, with English and (I think) Hindi bilingual next, and only rarely pure Hindi. Even official signs -- like "in emergency, dial 108" are in English only.
And, many people seem to speak quite good, if accented, English. Again, I'm told that Goa is more anglophone than elsewhere, to some extent.
There is a surprising amount of Christian stuff around -- lots of crosses, churches, and a number of Saint this-or-that named places, I think primarily Saint Xavier. Apparently the preserved body of this Saint is still in a local church. I'm told the area is about 1/2 Christian and 1/2 Hindi -- again, very unusual for India.
Almost all men wear western-style dress. Rarely have I seen anything different. For women, it is more mixed -- maybe about 1/3 western and about 2/3 (what to my eye looks) traditional Indian.
The roads are quite busy, by my standards, but they're not stupid-busy. Again, I'm told Goa has a lot less traffic than many other cities -- like Delhi or Mumbai. Everyone drives on the left, well, mostly. Most of the roads are two lanes -- and the "rule" seems to be that the outside of the lane mostly belongs to the people going the normal way, but that the centre is a free-for all. Passing is done just about anywhere. Also, the speeds don't get very high -- you're doing really well if you make it up to 70 km/h. Also, there are a lot of small two-wheeled vehicles -- various mopeds, scooters, and small motorcycles. My 1000cc bike is seen as a monster. Also, everyone uses their horn a lot. Streets are filled with choruses of beeps. Mostly, though, it isn't an anger thing like here -- it is, mostly, "I'm here" type notification, especially when overtaking and/or passing someone. At least, around here that is what it is... I think as the roads get more crowded it might change.
I'm quite happy I'm not doing the driving. Though, there is a certain something inside me that would like to get a 250cc bike and play in the traffic. I think it is the adrenalin junkie in me.
I've also not seen any really deep poverty. No hordes of beggars, etc. Lots of vehicles, everyone in clothing that looks in at least reasonable condition, etc. In a lot of ways, this area reminds me of my visit to Mexico City, though it is a lot greener -- less like a desert. (Though, it doesn't have the huge boulevards of Mexico City.) But the level of wealth/poverty, the small stores, etc do look familiar. Yet again, I think it may be that Goa is better off than much of the rest of India.
Another odd thing I've seen a fair bit of here, but not anywhere else I've travelled is wall sockets that I think of as "I'll take whenever you put out" wall sockets. They'll handle North American two-prong or three prong, European two-prong, UK three-prong, and a rounded three-prong that might be local. This might be because I'm in tourist/business/tech areas, though. Homes might just have the normal type. But, I've never seen this sort of multi-purpose socket anywhere else.
Where we're teaching has fairly common power flickers, though we never lose it for long, and it only seems to affect some of the circuits. I have not seen any flicker in the hotel at all. Again, I'm told this is Goa -- other parts of India might only get 6-8 hours of power a day.
The roads have SERIOUS speed bumps on them. Everyone slows way down.
I'm told that people from Goa are "Goans first, then Indians second".
English seems to be the main language of literacy. Most signs -- advertising, road signs, warning signs, etc -- are in English, with English and (I think) Hindi bilingual next, and only rarely pure Hindi. Even official signs -- like "in emergency, dial 108" are in English only.
And, many people seem to speak quite good, if accented, English. Again, I'm told that Goa is more anglophone than elsewhere, to some extent.
There is a surprising amount of Christian stuff around -- lots of crosses, churches, and a number of Saint this-or-that named places, I think primarily Saint Xavier. Apparently the preserved body of this Saint is still in a local church. I'm told the area is about 1/2 Christian and 1/2 Hindi -- again, very unusual for India.
Almost all men wear western-style dress. Rarely have I seen anything different. For women, it is more mixed -- maybe about 1/3 western and about 2/3 (what to my eye looks) traditional Indian.
The roads are quite busy, by my standards, but they're not stupid-busy. Again, I'm told Goa has a lot less traffic than many other cities -- like Delhi or Mumbai. Everyone drives on the left, well, mostly. Most of the roads are two lanes -- and the "rule" seems to be that the outside of the lane mostly belongs to the people going the normal way, but that the centre is a free-for all. Passing is done just about anywhere. Also, the speeds don't get very high -- you're doing really well if you make it up to 70 km/h. Also, there are a lot of small two-wheeled vehicles -- various mopeds, scooters, and small motorcycles. My 1000cc bike is seen as a monster. Also, everyone uses their horn a lot. Streets are filled with choruses of beeps. Mostly, though, it isn't an anger thing like here -- it is, mostly, "I'm here" type notification, especially when overtaking and/or passing someone. At least, around here that is what it is... I think as the roads get more crowded it might change.
I'm quite happy I'm not doing the driving. Though, there is a certain something inside me that would like to get a 250cc bike and play in the traffic. I think it is the adrenalin junkie in me.
I've also not seen any really deep poverty. No hordes of beggars, etc. Lots of vehicles, everyone in clothing that looks in at least reasonable condition, etc. In a lot of ways, this area reminds me of my visit to Mexico City, though it is a lot greener -- less like a desert. (Though, it doesn't have the huge boulevards of Mexico City.) But the level of wealth/poverty, the small stores, etc do look familiar. Yet again, I think it may be that Goa is better off than much of the rest of India.
Another odd thing I've seen a fair bit of here, but not anywhere else I've travelled is wall sockets that I think of as "I'll take whenever you put out" wall sockets. They'll handle North American two-prong or three prong, European two-prong, UK three-prong, and a rounded three-prong that might be local. This might be because I'm in tourist/business/tech areas, though. Homes might just have the normal type. But, I've never seen this sort of multi-purpose socket anywhere else.
Where we're teaching has fairly common power flickers, though we never lose it for long, and it only seems to affect some of the circuits. I have not seen any flicker in the hotel at all. Again, I'm told this is Goa -- other parts of India might only get 6-8 hours of power a day.
The roads have SERIOUS speed bumps on them. Everyone slows way down.
