Peter Mendes was born and raised in the city. And every school vacation, his parents would cart him off to one of their ancestral homes either in Cansaulim or Loutolim in South Goa. “Even as a kid, I remember thinking that life somewhat slowed down in the villages. My mother's home in Loutolim was right on the riverfront and the village itself was beautiful. It still is. But after a few days of running around the countryside, being pampered by my grandmother who gave us whatever we asked for, and playing cricket with my cousins, I would be itching to return home,” says Mendes who would pester his mom until she acquiesced and packed their bags.
And Mendes is just one such city soul. For many Panjimites, no other place will ever feel like home. With the River Mandovi, the Arabian Sea, terraced hills, tree-lined avenues, concrete buildings with balconies and red-tiled roofs, churches, colourfull villas, cobbled streets, riverside promenade and its old-world Portuguese ambiance, Panjim is indeed a unique and dynamic city.
As for the loud noise, ample tourists and busy streets, what's wrong with that? If you live in the city, the entire world is at your doorstep. Well almost. “And everything is five minutes away. Literally! Whether its the beach, the market, the movie theatre or the pub,” says Stanley Dias, a marketing professional who has lived in Miramar his entire life. “All my friends are here, my job is here. It's all easily accessible,” he adds.
And you can do anything you want, at any time. Feel like going to the beach with your kids? It's right there. Decide to go for a movie on the spur of the moment. Just hop in to your car and drive down to the theatre. Feel like eating out? There's a whole host of restaurants to choose from. Too lazy to go out? Just call it in and your food (and even groceries) will be delivered to your home.
For some, the city limits encompass their whole world. Aurora Das not only spent her entire childhood in Taleigao, but also settled here after her marriage. “As long as we hung out in the city when we were younger, our parents would be fine. Crossing the bridge was like a big no-no with my mother,”she says. Even as an adult, with a teenage daughter of her own no less, Das' mother would worry if she knew her daughter was travelling to Porvorim.
And then there are those who long for the sights and smells of the city even though they live just a few kilometres away. Lina Kalangutkar moved to Porvorim with her family some ten years ago. Yet, even today, she travels all the way to Panjim for her shopping and recreation. “I go to Miramar beach every evening for a jog and prefer to visit Panjim market for my fish and vegetables even though finding a spot to park is a nightmare,” she says, adding, “I miss the noise, the busy streets and the familiar sights. Sometimes, on Sundays, we just get in our car and drive to Panjim for a quick drive-through just because I feel wistful. It's strangely comforting.”
Even though the world is moving away from the cities and opting for a life in the suburbs, the fact remains that we cannot do without our city. And vice versa, of course. "When my mother-in-law who lives in the village of Cortalim comes to visit, she's always complaining that she finds the city claustrophobic," informs Dias, adding that there is a special kind of allure in its hustle and bustle that his mother-in-law simply does not understand. The villages might offer cheaper housing, cleaner air and more than enough space for you, your kids and even your dog to run around in, but life in the city has a charm of its own. “Besides, Panaji is not like one of those huge crazy-busy metros like Mumbai or Bangalore. It may be a city in the true sense of the word, but it's still a part of Goa and hence enjoys the Goan pace of life and “susegad” lifestyle. It's kind of like having the best of both world's. That is why you see many outsiders moving here after giving up their corporate jobs in the metros,” claims Mendes.
It's an imperfect and fragile microcosm, which, no matter its many drawbacks, seems to work. Almost like magic. The difference is in our priorities. Which aspects of life are most important to you? And the answer isn’t the same for everyone.
