A friend writes from Goa:
“You would appreciate that the O Heraldo newspaper maintains separate entrances for editorial and advertising. Print journalism appears still lively; feel all fuzzy when a roll of the Times of India, Goa Times and Diwali promotional rags are hung outside my hotel door in a hand-sewn muslin bag at 6:30 am.
“While it’s really too late in life to be starting India travel, I was drawn by giant demons, called Narkasur, constructed of paper, presented in competition, and burned for Diwali. Narakasura was a bad guy, killed by Krishna, or maybe his wife; still sorting this out. My usual Carnival fascination, different part of the globe.
“Only the monsoons have swept back over India’s west coast, putting the kibosh on Narkasurs, traffic, stray dog packs, photography, getting about, and possibly even getting out. Goans are shaking their heads in wonder.
“Ensconced in probably the fanciest hotel ever (for me) there’s still only so many buffets one can partake of, so much Al Jazeera one can watch.
“Hoping for a miracle, of the Hindu persuasion.”
