To Mumbai or not to Mumbai

That is my question.

I am currently booked on an overnight train tomorrow to Mumbai. I want to see the Elephanta Caves very much there, but I must book it to get to Ahmedabad for the wedding. I want to experience Mumbai and would rather not have to lock my backpack for the day travel and then spend two nights in a row on the train.

Oh the dilemma. Right now I am in Anjuna, Goa. I figured I'd share this story as part of the not-so-fun part of travelling. You always hear the great stories, rarely do you hear the so-frustrating-you-are-tired-and-exhausted-and-want-a-good-shower-without-frogs-leaping-on-you ones.

I will tell this one with pictures.

Tried out a new beach yesterday after first arriving.
It's up the North Coast - Mandorim.
Absolutely stunning. White sand. Beautiful beach.

Yaa...things were looking pretty good about here.
Especially when my neighbour gave me an Indian/Scotch
whiskey shot. Things were la-de-daa fine here.

Tandoori Chicken Dinner. Delicious...

And I found Ray Ban aviators for 150 Rs & these beauty
earrings for 50. Ridiculous after-dinner shop.

And then it alllll started.

After dinner I was writing in my journal and enjoying a beverage with a house guest and I heard shouting, guns and men screaming and running all over.

Turns out my Guesthouse is located beside a Paintball yard. Joy.

Then I go to have a hot shower & this little (or huge) gem jumped on me. Needless to say, I did the ol' "cup & splash" for the rest of my shower, standing as far away from the wall as I could get. 

I didn't sleep well, at all. There are incredible crows here. I can't explain how many there are, but all night there was barking dogs and crows crowing (?) and then at about 5 a.m. there was a ton of scratching at the door.

I woke up with a start and thought there was someone trying to get into my room. My 'room' is an individual shack in the guesthouse courtyard and I'm currently in the room alone, so I didn't feel VERY SAFE!

And then I heard the meowing.

But still, it was scary.

The best part was when I woke up after an awful night's sleep this morning. I was groggy and feeling around for my alarm clock, when I felt my lip was totally numb on one side.

I looked in the mirror and it was completely swollen.

My first thought was that I was dying a slow, puffy death. Luckily I rushed out of my room and asked a couple of people and they seemed to think it was just an ant that bit me. 

You can imagine how fun the flea market was this morning. Trying to barter with a fat lip is challenging. But I did it! And enjoyed myself...you have to be able to laugh at yourself, right?

The beautiful, rocky Anjuna beach from my breakfast
spot this morning.

The 'famous' flea market.
There are over 20,000 stalls.

Surfboard, cows & palm trees. A normal day.

So - there you have it. I'm happy to say that my lip has reduced since this morning and I'm off to the beach.

Pyaar!