My body maybe in school but my mind is on vacation

Substitute the word school with office and there you have it, my current state of affairs. Sit back, relax and share with me my account of my imaginary holiday.

I have just woken up to little bits of sunlight creeping through the curtains. A smile plays on my lips when I remember where I am. Goa; in the summer, there is no better place to be.

Sauntering out of bed, I take my coffee and stand in the little verandah. The gardens are lush green, the dirt a wicked red. I can smell the salt of the ocean while I watch the palms swaying in the breeze. The only sounds are of the distant waves.

The morning is perfect for a long walk on the beach, so off I go. The sand is warm between my bare toes. The wind is making my sarong flap around my ankles. The sun is already getting strong, but then that’s Goa. I see some fellow vacationers have had the same idea as me.

Sometime later I decide to turn and walk back. I can’t afford to tan on only one side, now can I? This time I choose to walk in the water. Looks can be so deceptive, because the ocean is actually cool. I think I will stop for a bit and dig my toes in the cold sand. Or even sit and feel the water wash over me. In fact I think I will go out for a swim as well.

I let my mind wander. Wondering about life, thinking people, remembering moments, seeking answers to questions and making plans all to the steady rhythm of the waves. God it is so peaceful here.

All this physical and mental exercising has built up a healthy appetite. I am looking forward to breakfast (these hotels really turn out a spread). There are eggs, bacon, cold meats, assorted breads and loads of fresh fruit. I am not even thinking about the Indian foods, not that they are any less appetizing. I tuck in with relish.

Back at the hotel pool and a second layer of sunscreen later, I settle down to soak in the sun. My favorite traveling companion is a good book. Whether it is Exodus by Leon Uris or Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkein, it has to be something gripping.

My skin is now getting a little to hot, so I decide to take a plunge into the pool. Nice cold water and at the other end of the pool is a bar, with an even nicer and colder bottle of beer waiting for me. I spend the next few hours alternating between the sun and my book and the lolling in the pool with cold beers.

When the heat becomes unbearable, I decide to go for late lunch. Funny as it may seem I am hungry and doing nothing hasn’t made my pangs any less. I decide on a prawn curry and rice and some nice chicken tikkas. Yum, they go really well with my still continuing supply of cold beer.

The afternoon is meant for rest (I have had such a hectic, tiring day you see, what with all the arm movements getting the beer in my mouth and all that). I nap for a bit, visit the loo some one million times (remember the beer) and then decide to venture out again.

This time I opt for luxury over nature. I book myself for a nice massage and then some jacuzzi time. Now this is what I call a vacation. The strong hands of the masseuse work out all the kinks, my body feels so loose that it hurts. The answer to this is in the hot water. A shower and I am all set for the evening.

I walk around the markets on the beaches and along the road. Bargaining for all sorts of junk, most of which I would never have bought if I had been anywhere else. But at the moment I must have them and have them I will.

As night falls, I change for the evening and head to the poolside. There is a live band playing music that I grew up with and learnt to appreciate from my dad. I opt for some wine and find that chatting with strangers can be fun. There are people from many places in India and abroad. We enjoy sharing our experiences and stories.

A few glasses of wine and it’s time for dinner (this time I blame it on the massage and the walking). My choice today is grilled pork chops and vegetables. Dessert is a fat slice of strawberry cheesecake and all that is nicely rounded up with some liquor and coffee.

I decide to take my time going back to my room. I can’t resist a chance to walk the beach by moonlight. Soon I am back in my air conditioned room, snuggling back in bed. A few pages of my book and my eyes start drooping. Sleep comes easy; my last thought before I am off, is accompanied with a smile, what a day!