What is life like in Goa?

Unlike many other states, where daily life revolves around work, for Goans, daily life is very much about living slowly one moment at a time. What makes Goa different is its slow life, susegaddo. Goans don’t care about time, they feel less pressure or anxiety, because they seldom think about the future.

They live each day as if its their last. Whether its a small gathering at a local gaddo (food cart) for Ros Omelette, or burning narkasurs, Goans always find more time for the smaller things in life. Hindus here, attend Church feasts and Christians participate in Shigmo, so religion has never disturbed this feeling of being Goan.

Their mornings starts with the aroma of Pao (Bread) and the sound of poder (baker) on his bicycle. they gather at their balcao to see life go by, enjoy evening chats with their neighbours, and friends, and don't celebrate the evening going to clubs and restaurants, like every other city wants to do in in their evenings, in the fear of missing out on that day. Rather, Goan switch their lights off peacefully at 8-9pm, and go to bed, to start the next morning again early. They hardly experience any fear of missing out if their evenings are indoors and quieter.

Goans wonder, what life is like in other states, such that everyone wants to rush to Goa for vacation, but for Goans, everyday is really more vacation then work, irrespective of their socio-economic class.

In every Goan house you will find Xit – Kadi (Rich and Fish Curry) mostly for lunch and dinner. Local Goans go to Fish Markets, buying the fresh fish everyday. Whether rich or poor, they all buy something but fresh, and eat it with joy.

Truth is Goans don't identify themselves as Indians. They are Goans first, and everything else after. This deep-rooted sense of being Goan, the peace, the lack of ambition, is something they are proud of!

Overall, while moving to Goa is easy, becoming Goan will take a lot time, most importantly it will need you to forsake your anxieties, maybe even your ambitions, and see each day for what it really is.