*Sigh*.....Goa:) (by Josh)

When the hippies of the 60's and 70's came to India to "find themselves" I can see why the "hippie trail"
made a fairly significant stop in Goa (where many never left!)
We are not looking to find ourselves, on the contrary we came here to " be ourselves" and Goa has been just the place for that, most specifically Agonda beach. Our little beach hideaway that we don't want to leave.
This slice of India has been like medicine for all the things that may need treating. And how does it do this??
My day consists of many different things that just make me feel human. Some days I walk the beach and beat on my wooden drum. Others we sail through the jungle on our motorbike with no particular destination but another beach or our favorite cafe in the next village.
Or, some days, I just take my morning tea and hang out on the beach with the cows because damn they are a relaxing bunch!

Many times we just walk down the beach together and talk about anything an everything and carry that conversation into the beautiful Arabian Sea.
Some days we visit our little yoga studio we enjoy and get our flexibility on.
Others we just head to the cafe that has our name on it and read the day away.
The power that Goa has in its ability to offer you nothing but the basics. And some days it can't promise you that.
The power is functioning most days but not all, and the menu availability is a lottery. That is what is so great here. You only expect what you offer and everything else is an unexpected gift.

Particularly in Agonda, there are no bars or night clubs, no fancy restaurants or shopping. When you come to Agonda, Goa, you come here to just be and that has been beautiful.
The last 10 days in Goa have been good "being time". I've had time to reflect on our time up in north India which was amazing and challenging at the same time. And to reflect on what returning back to our regular lives will be like after all of this. It has given Niki and I time to laugh and chat about our adventures both the highlights and the lowlights and to feel how it's has affected our perception of the world and our place in it.
It's our last night in India and leaving is a bitter sweet symphony. I am excited for Thailand yet feeling nostalgic for
what we have experienced.
What has India taught us about the essence of life? Meet me in a cafe anywhere in the world and I'll give it to you in full but in summary I think I said it best earlier:
"You should only expect what you offer and everything else is an unexpected gift"
Peace:)