Lazy Days

I think my heart stopped today... due to inactivity. I was on Padnam beach in South Goa, sipping a White Russian with my new Icelandic friend Viddi when, for a brief moment, I think I died. It was kind of scary in an exhilarating kind of way... a relaxation induced brush with death. But I recovered... and am now decided not to repeat the error.

This isn't all strictly true. I don't think I actually died... there was most definitely still brain activity and I think my heart was still beating, just at a ridiculously reduced rate. I am just trying to illustrate the fact that I have relaxed more in the last few days than I think I ever have... though I haven't been purely inactive.

My days, these days are proceeding thus: Get up at 6.30am (bizarre, scary and quite cool side effect since the cessation of the smoking), swim round the big rock in the beautiful sheltered bay which my beach hut overlooks, drink coffee while the sun rises over the palm trees, talk about how amazing everything is with my new friends out here, go running on Palolem beach, avoid the one British alcoholic who at the time of writing has been on a 3 day vodka bender, swim some more, eat lunch, drink beer, swim while the sunsets, eat dinner, drink cocktails, sleep. Am I now suitably hated? Good... I deserve your scorn.

I absolutely understand why people end up staying here for years... it is beautiful and potentially such a tranquil existence out here. Though it is a bit false, a little bit Clapham-on-Sea, I am currently surrounded by a number of ageing Hippies with brand new Macbooks, it is effectively a Western idealised version of hippy heaven constructed, supported and protected by money from corrupt Indian politicians, Russian mafia and drugs. Not all perfect in paradise but I am going to enjoy it for at least a week more.

Like I just said. I deserve your scorn.