I can’t believe I’m writing this from Goa or that it’s been more than 2 years since I was last in Goa. This time it’s monsoon, and the skies are permanently overcast. On some days, it’s cloudy and there’s a light sprinkle in the air. On some days, the house is grey and you can’t see the building in front of you. The balcony has been our home this week. Kulfi sleeps on a table there, and we sit on mismatched chairs next to her - with a beer or coffee in our hands. Monsoon is something magical in Konkan.
We’ve been socialising too. Way more things are happening around here than I thought would be possible in this sleepy weather. Incidentally, a lot of people I know from different walks of life are also visiting Goa right now. I always meet one boarding school friend at Artjuna after realising the same morning that we both happen to be in Goa. A friend had a birthday full of beers and board games - I played one called Crypto. Another friend did a presentation on Art and Astrology in the Museum of Christian Art. Of course, we went for dinner after and all of it was fish food. We are a family of fish food lovers and will now be refraining from consuming any as Shravan sets in.
I feel calmer here. More inspired too! I visited a museum, saw presentations by artists, met someone who has published a book in a cafe, visited the new studio of one of my favourite artists, and made art in Goa myself. I’m going to turn it into a postcard series. I did a postcard auction. I also started a group for people doing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (if you want to join that then DM me). I feel like I have new energy, lots of ideas and some clarity. Some new goals for myself like maybe I want a studio for myself too. Maybe an online shop? Some bigger projects. Literally big. Table sized, life sized, wall sized.
It’s the first time I’ve described my new life in Mumbai to someone and liked what I said. I like that I can nap with Kulfi and Doobie and do my yoga. Cuddle in bed for longer because I don’t have a bus or train to catch or any biometrics to punch in. Plan meals. Write from my home studio and organise community events. Sleep the entire day if I have my period. And I don’t know for how long this is sustainable, but I like it. I like that my life is slower for perhaps the first time without being on vacation. I love that this feels like an extension of my life. And this monsoon, I want to cocoon a little bit and work on my projects with minimal socialisation. Perhaps temporarily I will have my extrovert crown on a hat rack and let it rest.
What are you doing this monsoon?
Vedi
The cutest 💗
Goan monsoons are beautiful ✨️