Goa's Hidden Gems & Why My Backpack Smells Like Old Incense
so i landed in goa without a plan, as usual. just followed the scent of fried fish and that weird humidity that clings to your eyelashes. first thing i noticed? *the locals giving me side-eye when i nearly tripped over a stray dog. classic goa move.
just looked, it's a crispy 17°C in goa right now, so if you're into that, you're set. perfect weather for sipping lukewarm kingfisher and sweating through vintage polyester. speaking of which - if you run out of things to do, mangalore and belgaum are just a few hours away. not that you'd want to leave the markets.
someone told me that panjim's flea market is where you'll find real vintage goldmine under piles of knockoff sunglasses. also heard that the guy at spice plantation tours spikes the chai with extra ginger if you look hungover. which, fair.
pro tip: never haggle at anjuna beach before 10am. the sellers will smell your desperation like blood in the water. but if you're brave enough to check out this vintage shop in baga, their 70s band tees are legit. though they're totally overpricing that acid-washed denim.
"heard that the brits left behind a thousand saris in that old fort basement. also don't drink the coconut water near the train tracks unless you want to meet the toilet god."
got warned by a drunk german that chapora fort is haunted by a tailor who died with scissors in his hand. great for photos, terrible for peace of mind. also found out this cafe serves killer fish thali but charges tourists extra. classic.
at this point my reeks like old patchouli and desperation, but i scored a 1990s kantha quilt for 200 rupees. #winning. goa's magic is in the messy middle - where you bargain with sweaty palms and end up adopting a street cat.
ps. if you see that one dreadlocked guy* selling dreamcatchers, tell him i still owe him 50 rupees. he'll know who you mean.
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