Siolim, Goa... Her Warm Embrace of Love
- Nasya Pereira
- Aug 19, 2021
- 2 min read
Located around the Chapora River, Siolim is a riverside village in North Goa, India. Rich in history, famous for its scenic landscapes, churches, temples, its São João and 'Zagor' festivals... villagers of different faiths participate in these celebrations, which last the whole day.
The nostalgia Siolim brings with it, takes me back to my early years growing up by Uddo Beach. Early morning walks by the sea under the long stretch of palm trees on either side of the road, breathing in the fresh, crisp morning air. The men from the village mid-sea in their little canoes, returning home proudly with their catch of the day!
Out in the middle of the sea at low tide... Chapora on my left, Morjim Beach on my right. The tiniest crabs running away from my shadow under the sun at noon. Numerous villagers scanned the sands at this time in search of oysters, a rare sight these days... I looked back at the shore, palm trees patiently swaying, waiting for me to come back home.
Back again at the hour of sundown, my passion for sunset photography began here, in Siolim! A quick run from home just in time to watch the setting orange light, sun glitter reflecting on the calm waves from the far horizon. As colors change to deeper purples and blues at dusk, you can feel the cold winter breeze from distant lands on your face, sitting by the rocks, feet in the cool water... I'm grateful for another day.
Now the moon has risen, along with its evening star Venus. The Siolim Church bells toll at 7 pm, neighbors who were out exchanging stories about their day, are on their way home. I take it all in, breathing in the salty air one last time for the night. Dusting the beach sand off my flip-flops on the old tarred road, as I dance with my shadow under flickering street lights...
Let's head back home now, and do this again tomorrow...
At home I take some time out to watch the stars at night from the balcão, palms glistening under the full moon light. Late nights in bed, drifting away to sleep to the sounds of rough sea waves against the rocks and the winds from the west, the tunes of psytrance music echo in the air from the Anjuna hills not too far away...
My memories of Siolim from my childhood and stories of the past told to us by our great-grandmother and grandmother will last in my heart forever... This is my Goa, soft, full of peace, calming... as gentle as her waves at low tide, her breeze, a warm embrace of love.
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