Strange Bedfellows

Disclaimer: This has no relation to the movie by the same name .

This is more than any movie could possibly cover in 150 minutes.

Mention a Goan Get-away to friends and they all think you are going to be rushing from beach to beach, exploring shacks and driving from North to South.

They all come up with ideas and advice on which is the best beach, where you can eat the best food, which is the best dance floor and where you can get the best deals on adventure sports.

For some like us, these are all moot! 

What matters is  a "Chalet", a stocked pantry and a house full of laughter. 

The initial fear of "Will I belong" soon disappears with welcoming hugs and broad smiles! 

A quick trip to the alma mater, 

Stories from the past which gets us laughing and blushing?

Creating new memories, forging stronger relationships.

Some come to vanquish demons, some to re-live what they left behind.

For many it's a get away from the mundane, 

for some its remembering, some- its forgetting.

Sadness and disappointments too are talked about without fear of being judged.
Old friends and new. 
For all of us it's a time to connect, meet and share. 

Through all this 

Music and food are the constant. 

We have all changed over the past 20 years. Success, stress, fighting battles, losing some. Winners all.

We talk, building our support mechanism, stepping in to fight  for others, proving that time and distance and ego stand no chance when it comes to brotherhood and sisterhood too.

We have our jokes now, the camaraderie continuing to invite and include more every year. 

Designations, levels, roles, age  all disappear for those 3 days, everyone becoming equals. 

The rooms stand witness to the stories we share, smoke rings accompanying a longing sigh at times, numerous empty bottles forgetting,remembering, creating.  The hot flaming stove warming hearts and body. 

Rum soaked food leaving you wanting more of the same.

Kicked out of beds, bathroom doors being banged on, toothpaste being borrowed, countless teas shared. Nothing changed!!

14 beds, 25 bodies, singing one song! 

"Mere Rashke Qamar"

Proving happiness too can make strange bedfellows!