the beaches i visit are most appreciated in the early morning hours for sunrise mediation or an early swim. anytime after 10AM they are swarmed with circus acts and hawkers and i can't believe the number of people [ both westerners and locals ] on the beach during the day and into sunset. indian culture is very conservative and since Goa is considered very western it's a place where Indians can swim in a bathing costume or [GASP] bare their shoulders in public. it's their version of vegas.
the sanitation systems in India are questionable. so the beaches themselves aren't clean by western standards and swimming in the water is potentially a health risk. i'm current on things like typhoid and hepatitis so i'm willing to take the chance when i need to cool off.
the hawkers get really annoying after a while and you have to keep reminding yourself that they are just sisters trying to make some money in a culture that doesn't educate or respect them as equals. it's hard to say no the grandma wielding a machete and offering a fresh coconut for less than an american dollar.
there are a lot of children begging with 'tourist english' but whenever i ask why they don't go to school they quickly shy away or defiantly say 'no school today!'. my beach experience is spoiled by my travels to so many more pristine and secluded places.
it goes without saying that cows are one of the major obstacles to be dodging whenever you are outside in India. they don't dart around quickly like dogs or pigs on the streets of Thailand but because of their size it's intimidating when you are walking or riding a motorbike around them. they do have pointy horns you know.
they seem to enjoy a sunset on the beach as much as humans and can often be found congregating in groups then. cows are sacred [not worshiped] here and it's a fascinating aspect of the indian culture.
the hawkers get really annoying after a while and you have to keep reminding yourself that they are just sisters trying to make some money in a culture that doesn't educate or respect them as equals. it's hard to say no the grandma wielding a machete and offering a fresh coconut for less than an american dollar.
there are a lot of children begging with 'tourist english' but whenever i ask why they don't go to school they quickly shy away or defiantly say 'no school today!'. my beach experience is spoiled by my travels to so many more pristine and secluded places.
it goes without saying that cows are one of the major obstacles to be dodging whenever you are outside in India. they don't dart around quickly like dogs or pigs on the streets of Thailand but because of their size it's intimidating when you are walking or riding a motorbike around them. they do have pointy horns you know. 
they seem to enjoy a sunset on the beach as much as humans and can often be found congregating in groups then. cows are sacred [not worshiped] here and it's a fascinating aspect of the indian culture.
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