“BANG! BOOM! BANG BOOM!” I awake before dawn ,startled by the thumping of monkeys jumping on the roof of our house. The palm trees, laden with coconuts, are swaying wildly, as an extended family of monkeys jumps from branch to branch and then lands soundly on our roof. Why should I be surprised? We are, after all, in India.

It has been two years since our last visit to Goa and arriving here feels familiar and comforting. Our “Lifestyle Resort” has not changed much-overgrown plants and weeds still sprout up through the cracks of the staircase leading up to our small but homey room. There has been some updating- freshly painted neon orange walls, and new linoleum floors-attractive but slippery when wet. The black plastic toilet seat is still the same relic from another era,

Francis, our favorite chef/friend has taken away the only decision we needed to make,-choosing what to eat for dinner- by surprising us each night with some new Goan creation that he wants us to try. I know I’m slightly obsessed with food, but Goan food is so good. The curries-ambotik, cafreal, ,xiacuti, sukha- redolent with pungent spices and coconut are too delectable to resist. And why should I?

Younger faces with more tattoos, now stroll on the beach doing yoga,jogging, and laughing with that carefree air of those who have no responsibilities.I don’t remember seeing so many tanned, lithe bodies doing exercises or taking selfies with “GOA” written in the sand. It’s in stark contrast to the orange-vested Indian garbage cleaners with their brightly colored green plastic bags chattering animatedly with each other. Note to self ” Stop thinking about what you’re going to eat next and start doing your Qi Gong.”

What apparently has changed, is me. The first time I was greeted with “Nice to see you again Mama“,I laughed and shrugged it off . By the second time I began to feel annoyed.  After the third greeting I was downright despondent. I always enjoyed being called “Didi”, which means sister in Hindi. On the last visit, I had graduated to “Auntie“which is an endearing term for a slightly older relative, and that too was sweet.  Unlike the sexy connotation in Latin culture, “Mama” here is used for grandmothers!

I guess it’s time for massage, threading and whatever beauty treatments I can manage to elevate my status.