Squid for Lunch

October 11, 2008

We went on an overnight community visit today.  The day started bright and early with a two and half hour car ride.  We arrived in a small remote village on the Arabian Sea.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  It looked like a picture from the National Geographic magazine.  The purpose of this visit was to see an abandoned mine in the area.  This is an area of controversy because within the last six months a company decided that they were going to clear out the land.  This seems like it would be good intentions but in actuality it would be very bad for the local community because development would be possible.  It is the perfect spot to put a hotel or golf course because it is so beautiful.  When an area becomes developed with the purpose of tourism the local community tends to suffer the most.  We walked up a “road” to get to the mine.  Basically we climbed a huge hill through a thick jungle to get there.  I was wondering when a snake was going to pop out and bite someone in our group. Thankfully, that never happened.  It was getting really hot outside and by the time we reached the top we were all drenched in sweat.  The view from the mine was awesome!  We were told about all of the protesting that had been going on to keep this area from being developed.  The people who live here have great pride in their home and want to keep the area as it is and as it has been.  After we were finished with a tour of the area we were able to enjoy a small beach nearby.  The water felt so good because it was so hot outside.  It gave us all a chance to cool off and relax.  We were invited to a local home for lunch.  It was a really nice house and the food was pretty good.  I had squid for the first time ever.  I didn’t really like it but I ate it anyway because I didn’t want to be rude to our hosts. 

Later that evening we went to stay with a family from the area.  The home was very nice and they took us out for Chinese food.  It was probably the best food that I have eaten in India so far.  I was happy to eat until I was full.