Correction to the powerpoint presentation linked-to below: the band that played at the 'Welcome' party and the cruise, was 'Music Souls', made up of Donald, Gracie and Astor - not Herman.
'After the Reunion' by Lumena de Souza
After the dust and sand have settled, the sunset deep under the horizon and the tide ebbing slowly home, here is a synopsis of the 'BMX-UK 2009' Reunion in Goa, during the Easter Season (April 11th - 16th), organised by the BMX-UK Committee, juxtaposing the resurgence of friendship and the renewal of faith. The heat was on and the programmes hot!!!
Day 1 - Easter Vigil at St. Brittos & Reception at 'The Appetite' Restaurant
The first glimpse of the façade of your former school would rustle up old visions from the corner of the mind, send a flutter to many a blue boy or for that matter a green girl.
The playground cum stadium was used for car parking. The Concelebrated Mass conducted in the open air on the quadrangle court, was jam packed. The ceremony was well planned and executed, with articulate readings, symbolic offerings, a lilting choir; it was a holy and blessed experience.
Post Mass, a bus was arranged to take us to a restaurant called 'The Appetite', near the back gate of St. Xavier's College. There was bonhomie all around as introductions were done, old friends hugged, new friends pecked, and coffee and drinks served with snacks. One could hear chatter and laughter, recognition and recollection.
Easter Sunday was a day to celebrate with family and friends in a typical Goan style.
Day 2 - Welcome Party at 'A Lua', Sangolda
As the traffic zoomed on the Sangolda main road, there was one edifice that clearly stood out, gaily lit and decorated with streamers and balloons, and the colours of the Union Jack. Each guest was bestowed a traditional garland of flowers and a red kum kum applied on the forehead. By 7.30 a.m. the crowd was in full swing, swaying to the live band, and gorging on drinks and delicacies.
Nobody wanted it to stop and kept requesting the band to continue. The evening finally wound up with a sing song of the all-time Goan favourites.
We had a break the next day, anticipating the big event to follow.
Day 3 - Sundowner at Marinha Dourado, Arpora
Offset by a picturesque lake and breezy weather, Marinha Douradao was a perfect setting for a magical evening. The night was young, lit up with glitter. The Forefront, Goa's top band, had us tapping our feet, clapping our hands and swinging our hips. The food was drool-worthy, the mood was masti. The function was interspersed with an item by fire dancers and a display of fireworks. The dance was well attended by alumni from every continent.
The organizing committee acknowledged all who made the reunion happen and helped to make it a grand success. The action behind the scenes, the patrons, benefactors, attendees, the thoughts and processes and all the little bits and pieces that wove together to make the tapestry of this BMX reunion. The spell was broken only at midnight.
Day 4 - Boat Cruise & Spice Island
Despite aching bones and sleepy heads, the last day was not to be missed at any cost. Everyone gathered at 'Santa Monica' jetty in Panjim and the boat cruised into the Mandovi at 10.20 a.m. After a tiny prayer, refreshments were served, followed by fun and frolic. There was a trio that kept us rocking throughout. The sea lapped at quaint little villages that dot our coastline with all the scenic splendor.
After sailing for about two hours we reached the Spice Island at Keri, Ponda. With a warm welcome and cool feni served in kotties, we were taken on a tour of the garden by a guide. It was a fascinating trip enriched with knowledge about flora and fauna. We were explained about pollination, and also shown the method of producing urak and Caju feni. We were also enlightened about all the procedures that went into growing various spices, and finally a demonstration by a local who climbed a betel tree and swung a la Mowgli.
Across the counter we could buy the various medications made of all the herbs and condiments, which assured a natural cure for most ailments. Many went home armed with oils and powders for what have you.
Lunch was a customary Goan meal served on a plate made of bamboo straw with a banana leaf placed inside. We had a conventional meal of rice, chicken xacuthi, doodhi and chonne bhaji, crispy potatoes, fried fish coated with semolina, and topped it off with a yellow-coloured-rice sweet dish.
Inspite of a stomach full we were full of life on the return journey. The highlight was a cabaret performed by a BMXer from Kenya supported by two green chillies.
Late evening we were given a free entry at Mint Casino in Arpora owned by an erstwhile Britto boy. The timid ones played it safe, while the bolder lot did manage to win some moolah. Dinner was on the house by this gracious host. This was our final get-together where we expressed our *wows*, bid farewell, promised to keep in touch and of course vowed to attend the next BMX.
Three cheers to the BMX-UK committee for an amazing performance.
I have not mentioned names because each one was so unforgettable. Seeing is believing. Take a peek into the kaleidoscope and live or relive the pictures that will be framed on the 'bmx-uk.org' site.
Mog Asundhi,Lumena de Souza
'After the Reunion' by Jennifer Fernandes
The BMX-UK-reunion 2009 opened with various events in Goa, and what better occasion to open with than the Easter vigil. The Easter Vigil Mass was held at St. Britto's school, one of the three institutions in Mapusa. The new Easter candle was blessed and lit burning out the old; each person was given a candle with which the flame of the new fire was lit to start the midnight mass. The service was beautiful with meaningful hymns and homily. The words, 'Be Born Again and Spread the Joy of Christ's Resurrection', were the backdrop of the altar. A beautiful hymn was sung at the service which touched me so. It was based on the prayer of St. Therese of Lisieux.
After the Mass we went to 'Appetite', a short distance away, to be served with refreshments. Some of the guests were delighted to be served with a little gift of Easter eggs all the way from England packed in red, blue and white packages - the colour theme from Britain. All and sundry appreciated the start of Easter and the BMX reunion.
On Easter Monday, the 'welcome' was held at 'A Lua' in Sangolda - the president's home village. All who came were greeted with a garland of fresh flowers from our homeland (Goa), with kumkum on the foreheads of the ladies and gents. The venue was decorated with red, blue and white balloons along with British flags; it was also decorated with orange, green and white balloons depicting the colours of the Indian flag. On each table was a centre piece with a British flag and a picture of a £10 note, along with the colours, red, blue and white, intertwined. Some people were quite fascinated by the flag and took it away with them at the end of the show. Committee members sported a red hat with the British flag on it. The food was excellent, drinks were on the house, the music suited everyone's taste and to top it all, Herbert was surprised with a birthday song for him - a tin of 'Roses' chocolates (my favourite) was distributed in celebration of his birthday. The band, 'Music Soul', played with the rhythm that makes Goa special. The feedback we received was that it was wonderful with a lot of warmth and homely atmosphere. People caught up with old times, danced away, sang together and gave touching speeches.
The next big event was the grand summer ball in La Marinha Dourada - what a beautiful setting against a beautiful lake. The scene was set with balloons intertwined and depicting both the British and Indian colours. There were mementos of wine glasses depicting a Goan scene and a British scene again with a red, blue and white, colour scheme. In addition, pot-pourri bottles in a similar colour scheme were distributed as mementos of the reunion - this was done by Herbert Fernandes since he is in the occupation of dealing with essential oils for fragrances and flavours. A fabulous floor show was organised by Richard Fernandes, and Patrick really took a fancy to a colourful chick whereas Raymond tried to beat the height of one of the characters on stilts. Most of the men wanted a shot with the beautiful girl selling fish. Once again the food was excellent with a beautiful setting which was out of this world. The seven piece band, 'Forefront', were brilliant and stimulating, prompting us all to boogey. Some though, just wanted to chat with their old-time mates.
The last event was the cruise which started on the Mandovi river with the sight of the Mandovi bridge which denoted the crossing of bridges from Niagara in Canada, 'Tower Bridge' in London, and others from around the world - Australia, Kenya, USA, Switzerland, etc. On hand were Jaime and Wency to cater to all needs. What a fabulous cruise with snacks and drinks on the Santa Durga, and a Music Soul (band) playing sweet music for all tastes. Some of us went up and gave our own renditions of songs which others joined-in on. Some played cards, others watched the beautiful view as we passed Old Goa and had sightings of men fishing and collecting salt from salt pans. Even better was seeing the iron ore being sifted through these huge machines after being tipped into from the huge trucks. These were sights not to be missed. On reaching Spice Island we were welcomed with elephants, and at the venue a refreshing drink of cashew fenni or green tea was given to us. A fascinating tour of the spice plantation was given and you will see from the photos what a fabulous event it was. On our way home we were entertained by a super floor show by Mike from Mombasa - what a treat for the girls. At all events, Ilona, Luiza, Astrid, Lavinia, Aura, Errol, Joyce, Terence, Lionel and Jennifer, were on hand to help out. One last treat was given to the people who graced our events - they were given a pass to the new casino based on the soil of our beloved Goa.
Photos
Photos are by, and courtesy of, Raymond Carvalho, Patrick Gomes, and Jennifer Fernandes. It is believed that the publication of these photographs do not infringe intellectual-property laws - if any do we apologise in advance, and will promptly do our best to repair the situation - please let us know if you are aware that the publication of these photographs infringe intellectual-property laws via email by sending an email to the address, admin@bmx-uk.org.
'Easter Vigil' slideshow
Above is a slideshow of the 'Easter Vigil' pictures shown below.
'Easter Vigil' pictures:
(Click on a thumbnail picture in order to get the picture in a larger resolution.)
'Welcome at A Lua' slideshow
Above is a slideshow of the 'Welcome at A Lua' pictures shown below.
'Welcome at A Lua' pictures:
(Click on a thumbnail picture in order to get the picture in a larger resolution.)
'La Marinha Dourado' slideshow
Above is a slideshow of the 'La Marinha Dourado' pictures shown below.
'La Marinha Dourado' pictures:
(Click on a thumbnail picture in order to get the picture in a larger resolution.)
'Cruise' slideshow
Above is a slideshow of the 'Cruise' pictures shown below.
'Cruise' pictures:
(Click on a thumbnail picture in order to get the picture in a larger resolution.)
'Previous BMX' pictures:
(Click on a thumbnail picture in order to get the picture in a larger resolution.)
