looking for lots of help in Goa

carlaeb

First, thanks for clicking on this link. I'm clearly asking for help for my personal situation, and if you can offer advice and recommendations about any of these things I really appreciate it! Also, it really helps to write this out.

I arrived in Saligao last Sunday for a two year stay. My husband is working here, and I'm experiencing the brand new life of being an unemployed expat wife. How strange! I spent last week getting settled in the house, learning how to call a taxi, figuring out where to shop, etc. The temptation is strong to just hide in my house, but I want to take advantage of my "time off" or else I'm afraid I will slip into alcoholism, get fat and suffer from depression!! So I thought I'd make a list of interests and hobbies to pursue and start in on spending time at them. Some will stick and others won't, and I hope to learn a lot.

Aside from word of mouth, how do people go about finding these things? I've gotten so used to Craigslist in the US that I'm not sure how to function without it. lol

1) BOOKS - I brought a ton of books to pursue a research interest I've never had time for. In two or three months, though, I will be out of books. How do you get books here in Goa? I mean, not just pleasure reading novels, but for research. I've always had access to great libraries. Is there one in Mumbai? Or is there a way I can get Amazon or Powells or something like that to deliver to India? If I get my family in the US to ship me books and movies, will they arrive here in India or do they get lost in the mail or taken by customs?

2) HINDI - I have a few people to practice Hindi with and a book to get me started. I don't think I want a tutor yet. What do you think? Can I learn this way- self teaching with a book and then conversation practice? Do you think it is necessary to learn the script? I'm not thinking of achieving perfect fluency, just enough to get around and have basic conversations.

3) SPANISH - Is there anyway I can practice Spanish here in Goa? I speak very poor basic Spanish, but want to improve while I am here and have the time. This is important to my life and job back in the US, and I don't want to have to start over when I return.

4) GUITAR LESSONS - I'm thinking of taking guitar lessons. How to go about buying a cheap acoustic guitar and can you recommend someone to give me lessons? I can make some chords, but really need help learning how to strum and read tablature.

5) FILMS - I'm a movie buff. Is there anything like Netflix in India? I need something more than just the latest Bollywood and Hollywood hits.

6) GYMS - My husband wants to join a gym. We live in Saligao. I know there are several in Calangute, but I don't know how to find them other than just going there and asking people. Can anyone recommend a good gym in Calangute?

7) YOGA - What about yoga and meditation classes near Saligao, in Calangute or in Panjim? There are millions of them. I'd like something simple and secular- breathing exercises really. I have asthma and have heard yoga will help.

8) HIKING - What about hiking clubs? In the US, I take off on my own on long hiking trips whenever I have a vacation, but I don't feel safe hiking up in the mountains by myself here. I googled, but couldn't find a hiking club to go with. I know I can hire guides, but I'd have more fun I think if I could just hook up with other hikers.

9) VETERINARIAN - My dog has had an ear infection since we got here. Can you recommend a good vet in or near Saligao?


Thanks.

federica

Books:

There are good bookshops in Panjim (I think there is a thread about it on IM), and of course Mumbai more Can't help with libraries.
Found the thread, It's about books from Goa but mentions bookshops:
Books from Goa...

General advice:

Try to get in touch with IMer fredericknoronha, he is a journalist and lives in Saligao, too. I guess he can answer most of your questions.

bbery

Hi,

as per books you can try

http://books.rediff.com or http://landmarkonthenet.com

Both will ship books to your house - but it might take some time...

Birgit

wonderwomanusa

You might get your family to send you language tapes for Spanish or Hindi. You could practice on Spanish-speaking tourists.

You probably can get some Hindi lessons in Goa, but since that's not the local language, I don't know how much you will actually use it.

__________________
The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

federica

A very pleasant and relaxed way to improve your Spanish is listening to Spanish songs. Slowly you understand more and more and it's easier to keep a language when it is connected to music. Of course you can do the same with Hindi.

Why don't you want to learn Konkani when you are living in Goa?

nikki

Hi ! We have also moved to goa for good from Delhi.Live in Candolim not far from you.Maybe I can help you with a couple of things you mentioned...

carlaeb

Well, I've arranged for yoga lessons here in Saligao and will go to the vet in the morning. The only guitar lessons are pricey ones through Detroit Institute in Panjim but I'm not sure how legit it is. They are sort of weird about quoting prices, so I don't know if I'll follow through. Anyone know anything about them? I wish I could just find a private tutor to pay for guitar lessons, twice a week, something mellow. Anyway, just figuring these things out and the great tips for books, I feel better. I think in a week or so I'll be up and rolling which is good because I'm getting cabin fever already! As for the Spanish, I was not clear. I need conversation practice. I have some tapes and books and such, and you are right, they are helpful.

Nikki, what can you help with? PM me if you want.

Federicka and Bbery, thanks for the links (resourceful!).

carlaeb

My husband and his family and most friends speak Hindi so would be useful long term, not just while in Goa. They all speak English too, so I've never taken an interest in the language before, but now it seems like it would give me something to do. Plus the cook and houseboy speak Hindi, so for practical purposes, I'm living with three Hindi speakers and don't know anyone who speaks Konkani.

I've noticed already the Spanish similarities. Counting to ten in Hindi is easy if you can do it already in English and Spanish. Other words too are very similar but for some reason I can't think of any examples right now.

robinsparrow

Carleib,


Will arrive in Delhi the end of next month and hope to be in Goa soon after but probably in January. The weather absolutely agrees with my husband , so we might get a house. Was it fun for you house hunting? Or was it a real headache?

Do you ride a scooter?

Any advice for me...

thanks

Robinsparrow

birds

I highly recommend a bookshop called Literati in Candolim inside a small road opposite the Old Ice Factory (everybody knows that). The shop is also sign posted from the main road. More info and a map on: http://literati-goa.com

Literati is run by a feisty woman called Divia. They regulary have book readings by authors and have a book club in which they discuss specific books.

Sometime this week (can't remember the exact date) they get a reading of one of my favorite authors on Indian Psychology called Sudhir Kakar. I am sad to miss it but such is life. Literati is also a good place to meet people.

Be careful with vets, there are lots around which do not know their stuff too well and just give injections. For straight forward stuff I recommend GSPCA in Porvorim, about 15 minutes from Saligao, open every day from 9:00 until 17:00. Ask for Dr. Dinella, she is fantastic with animals.

If you need another hobby you could do voluntary work with the GSPCA.

There is also a film club which comes together on Thursdays in Houses of Goa, also in Povorim, in fact almost opposite the GSPCA. When they send out the next mail for viewings I will forward it to you if you PM me your email.

nikki

Hi again.First of all you could call me at 9767864232.We'll sort the rest out by an by... !!

ajitkommini

I've ordered stuff from Amazon and eBay in the past. Opted for regular shipping the first time, but ended up waiting around for 2 months before the package arrived. Tried DHL the second time and they delivered promptly. Shipping charges are a killer though.

carlaeb

Sorry Robin, I did not see this post until just now!

The weather is great. It's so much better than Delhi in my opinion!

I don't ride a scooter because I am a big chicken. I'm mostly using a combo of the bus, cabs and walking about, and so far I've been able to get everywhere without too much hassle or expense.

The house hunting was not a huge problem. I'm not an expert on this- just spent four days looking. It depends on what you want. We looked in and around Panjim (also Miramar, Dona Paula and Porvorim) and we found LOADS of cheap small apartments (15-25K a month) places. But they were mostly ugly or looked like they were under construction or not very clean. I was not happy with those.

A step higher (25K to 35K a month) will get you nice houses or very nice apartments with beautiful floors, patios, three bedrooms, and sometimes a courtyard or outdoor space. This is especially true if you are willing to live in the Dona Paula area. In our experience, there are LOADS of little houses available there.

A step above that (35K to 45K) will get you a far fancier house than anything I lived in in the US.

Our friends rented a place in the Dona Paula area for around 70K, and though it is bigger and nicer than what we saw, they were shocked that we were finding things in the area so "cheap". To me, 45K rupees is very expensive. In dollars, it is more than I have ever spent on rent in the US. So I thought the Dona Paula properties we saw were expensive. I even wondered if the landlords were raising the price as I am a foreigner. But our friends had the opposite experience- never found anything below 60K. This just goes to show that people have different experiences. So get a clear picture of what you want first and set a budget in your mind. I think you will find what you want if you do that.

We stuck to the middle range- 25 to 35, and then started negotiations about whether or not the land lord would provide a/c and furniture with an increased rent or a lower rent if we purchase those things ourselves. There is a good bit of flexibility around these issues, so be sure to ask.

In the end, though, we ended up taking a lovely home in Saligao that we didn't look at or plan to rent because of circumstances that would be boring to you so I won't explain it all. We just stumbled into a wonderful deal.

Dona Paula is more suburban, and Miramar is really the ideal location if you want to be close to the city. I preferred to be inside downtown Panjim itself and we found a really nice apartment complex there that has a pool and a gym and covered parking and everything. It's a gorgeous new building, but I can't remember the name. I don't think there are too many newly constructed very nice apartment buildings like that though, so just ask the broker for the new one if you want to be in the city. Most expats I've met want to be outside the city in Dona Paula or Porvorim. We almost rented a nice house in Porvorim, it was three stories, huge and had a yard, furnished with a/c for 30K. That gives you some idea of prices there.

This is all just my experience and opinion by the way. Good luck, and happy hunting!

carlaeb

Wow Birds, you have been so helpful! I will PM you. thanks!

robinsparrow

Thanks Carlaeb,

I am really getting excited about getting over there....thanks for your input...I am bringing it along with us to Goa...

Have a nice sunny day---and look at that pink sunset for me.


robinsparrow