2024-12-08 Goa

I am leaving Rajasthan and flying south. 

12/8/24 Jaisalmer->Goa/Vasco da Gama. In the morning, I am working on the blog. Breakfast on the terrace at 8 AM. Unfortunately, it is still in the shade. A coffee and milk and a pancake, that won't last long. I go to the nearby shops, but unfortunately find no fruit and buy some nuts and bread. Now I am feeling a bit anxious. I pack the backpack down to 15 kilos. More is not allowed on this flight, but I can take two pieces of carry-on luggage. Then I pay my large bill: 7080 R. Some circumstances are quite strange, as I pay 800 R for four meals, but also for a taxi ride to the airport. And that is still exciting. First, we pick up two people in the back seats. Then we need to refuel. There's no huge line at the first gas station and the power is out at the second. While we wait, I go to the vegetable stand to buy bananas. They actually have diesel too. But the driver makes an unnecessary loop on the way to the airport. At 10:20, I am a bit nervous at the airport. For the first time, they are questioning a lighter in the checked luggage. I have to take it out and hand it over. Until now, it had been no problem in carry-on luggage. Thankfully, I can check my luggage through to Goa Dabolim, so I don’t have to check in again in Mumbai. Now I can finally relax. To my surprise, a propeller plane lands. But that's not for me; mine is delayed. In Mumbai, we make a 180-degree turn around an interesting mountain for the approach to the airport. According to my map, it should be called Tahuli. In Mumbai, I can't simply switch to the next gate; instead, I am led out of the airport and must go through security again. There, I have to unpack the tent that I put in my carry-on for this flight and show my pegs. Luckily, they let me through. There are few seats before the gate, and I have to wait until I can get one. Unfortunately, the next flight is also an hour delayed. We take off only after sunset. Sitting next to me is Sandra from Switzerland. She is traveling with another woman and is on holiday from goat herding in Ticino. In the summer, she occasionally looks for helpers for food and lodging on her farm in the Alps. I could really imagine doing that. Unfortunately, our paths part before the airport. I find someone to take me to the city on a scooter for 400 R. He also takes me to the hotel and offers to be a city guide for the next few days. The hotel wants me to pay directly, but I still need to go to an ATM. The scooter driver takes me there as a bonus. The dormitory is a 12-bed room. I choose a bed in the corner. The air conditioning is blowing almost too strongly for me. I will need to be careful not to catch a cold. Downstairs, in the restaurant, I eat noodles with chicken. Now, a quick shower and off to bed by 10:30 PM.