To BE or to DO, that is the question

After 30 days of trekking in Nepal, and weeks of touring sites and riding camels in central India, I found myself on the beaches of Goa.  It was here that it was pointed out to me that I am a DO'er, and maybe I should try just BEING.  This comment was from someone who is very content to DO nothing, but just sit, relax, and BE.  In my 10 days in Goa, there really was not much to DO, so I tried out just BEING.

Actually, it took a few days to get the hang of it.  I started out by DOING at few activities, like riding my bike on the beach, touring the nearby sites on a scooter, and checking out new restaurants and bars.   After a few days of DOING, I settled into just BEING.  I ate at my favorite restaurant, and relaxed at my favorite beach bar.  But BEING takes more effort than you might think.  At a street corner café, you have to be observant, and open your senses to the sights, sounds, and smells around you.  With people watching in India, there is always something entertaining to watch.  Or it might just be a herd of goats crossing the main town square heading to the pastures in the early morning, or the gang of Rickshaw drivers relaxing with a Masala Chai.  At my breakfast place, watching the gang of monkeys trying to steal the fresh Chocolate Croissants from under the bakers watchful eye, was also entertaining.  It's always something different.  At the beach bar, it might be watching the white beached whales slow roasting in the tropical sun, or just watching the sun turn to bright crimson as it sinks into the sea.  Listening is also important in mastering the art of BEING.  There is always interesting sounds in India.  It might be the early morning Roosters, or the scratching of the bamboo sweepers as they move dirt from one pile to another.  On the beach, the all encompassing music is the rhythm of the never ending surf.   The only problem with BEING is that once you've BEEN there, it's very hard to DO anything about it.

Photos of Beach BEING posted at

Photos posted here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ESwsEfH2eUcGaDy68