Motorcycle Pilot

After years of prodding by my friends, I decided to give Goa a visit last year. My expectations were huge just like tall swaying palms along the coastline. The small airport followed by long narrow stretch to North Goa made my excitement run meekly into the ocean. After all, there seemed nothing fascinating about the place. Crowded beaches devoid of basic amenities, irregular patches of sanitation and expensive inter-city travel made for an undesired concoction. Add a little bit of commercialization and a garnish of ‘noise’ and your sensory system turns adverse and revolts.

However, by the time I left the place, I felt in love with the place. Goa has a nagging tendency to grow upon you. So it’s not surprising that when I revisited the place a few days back, I again came back with a longing to spend more time in Goa.
Why does Goa grow upon oneself? For obvious reasons…

Goa is a FUN destination, for people who want to observe the heavens sitting lonely at the shores and for people who turn breathless in absence of Indian chaos. Imagine - Bright yet caring sun illuminating squares and squares of green and yellow topped cultivation; bisected artfully by tapered roads stretching endlessly into the horizon and your gearless Activa swerving through the coastal breeze scented with an air of playfulness. Imagine – A non-swimmer taken swiftly on a banana shaped raft only to be plunged deep into the salty water; some 200 meters away from the beach. The life jacket brings in fun and frolic amidst the ocean waters and the water sports turns addictive. Imagine – the cruise across the Mondovi river when the flock of birds obliterate the view of the sinking orange ball called Sun and the Goan music spices up the chemistry among honeymooners. But is that the only reason which makes Goa so popular and frequented. NO…

Goa is a FREEDOM destination. Goa makes you shed your inhibitions else it would have been like any other place. Uninhibited like a tipsy teetotaler, Unobtrusive like a quiet shack on an unknown beach, Wild like the flames of seaside bonfire resonating the acts of boisterous waves and above all a different India which knows well to mix its Fun with the Freedom granted.

After returning the rented Gypsy, I requested the owner to drop me back to the hotel. He persuaded me to talk to ‘Motorcycle Pilots’ at the busy intersection. These people drive motorcycle with yellow colored mudguards and drop off individuals to nearby locations at a much nominal fee. No wonder they call themselves ‘Pilots’ for your experiences go airborne in Goa even if you are a pillion on a rickety bike.