You see, I find people very, very interesting because I believe that
every single individual is unique with an even more exclusive back-story. The
places they’ve come from and the things they’ve seen,
the experiences they’ve lived through and the upbringing they’ve had,
the things that interest them and the even the stuff that doesn’t will
always be varied, different and myriad. This in turn lends itself to my living
vicariously through them, learning more about things I’ve yet to
sample and experience myself and seeing the things that I’ve
already done, dusted and checked off my list through some fresh perspective.
Now while I’ve run into some amazing individuals all through
my life and am privileged enough to call almost all of them family, friends or
both, lately I’ve found that a large chunk of the people I’ve taken
to are British. Call it a coincidence or me, a lucky bugger, or whatever else
you choose, but I ain’t
complaining!
Of
course, my parents had their fair share of friends from the UK but my first
ever British connection came my way when I was just a teenager, through the
Ashford family that moved in a few doors down from our house. There was Dave,
Lorna and their adorable son Brendan and from the very get-go we all got on
like a house on fire. We became so close that Brendan would spend nights over
at ours while Lorna and Dave went out on occasions and I would spend most of my
free time at theirs, chatting away till my folks would call for me to come
home. Together we went on picnics and boat rides and shopping trips too! Even
after they left and moved back to the UK, we kept in touch and my first ever
trip (and only one thus far) to that beautiful country was spent at their
lovely home in Devon. They took me everywhere whilst I was there and never left
me wanting for a thing, ensuring that I had a truly magical and memorable
holiday
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
My best
friend Rachael too is from England. Even though she is Indian by origin, she
was born and brought up in the yummy land of Sunday roasts, Yorkshire puddings,
crumpets and tea. Thankfully, her parents, who are now like another set of
parents to me, chose to relocate to Goa, leading to my meeting and becoming
best friends with Rach.
Then
there’s Dianne and Barry, a couple I met at Calamari,
my home away from home. Initially they were just members of the audience to me.
But over the years, and without me even realising it, they have become
cherished friends that I now have a lot in common and share a lot with. I mean,
even though there is an age gap between us, they have never let me feel it and
I find myself going on and on about the silliest of things and sharing some of
my biggest worries and fears with them, all of which they reciprocate with a
whole lot of love, laughter and
understanding
Of
course, I cannot forget Jackie, Paul, Marie and Bryan–
individuals who were strangers themselves till they met in Goa and became fast
friends. After the torrid time I’ve had
this past year, they’ve offered me a lot of solace, strength and
comfort coupled with a barrel of laughs, countless moments of fun and dancing
and a few tears of release too through all the time we’ve been
spending together off late Each and every one of ‘my
British connections’ has added something unique and wonderful to my
life; something that even words aren’t enough
to explain. All I can say is that I’m all the
more blessed, lucky, happy and grateful for it and I’ve truly
found the best of the British in them!
