The LOST VIBE of Goa & The Legend of ZouZou.
Goa what it was, was not built by current "Feudal Landlords"; but Europeans and Americans; who came here for the VIBE created by the aboriginals. The "Community" which lived in perfect harmony, till..
Goa is again back in prominence in National Social Media, but again, for the wrong reasons.
This time, for how Foreign Tourists (Non-Russians) have abandoned their favourite destination. In this post we look at ONE of the WHYs.
But before you do, you must read this Brilliant article highlighting the current state of Tourism and Tourists in Goa; by one of most renowned & HONEST Journalist of Goa, Mr.Gerard De Souza.
This post is inspired by his today's article.
If one has to cite one word from English vocabulary which is most used in Goa by Domestic and International Tourists alike is : VIBE. As per definition it means "the mood of a place, situation, person, etc. and the way that they make you feel".
Goa had a very distinct vibe, till a few years back, which brought Lac of Tourists from World over.
Everything Touristic in Goa is measured by this one Yardstick : VIBE and OfCourse it is simple to measure, because it is just Binary measurement. Good or Bad. That's it.
What makes the Vibe? S
Surely the place/location; the natural beauty and scenery; but most important of all; it's the people.
Now imagine, if After Goa's independence, if the self-styled "Cow Vigilantes" & so called “Shiv Premi” people would have been roaming around; despite of pristine beauty of a Paradise; would Hippies would have come here?
Absolutely Not, Of Course!
It was the hospitality of aboriginals of Goa, their sweet nature and world famous "Susegad" which created this world famous VIBE which attracted people magnetically from all over the world.
One of whom was ZouZou (in past tense because he no more came to Goa this year). ZouZou is an American Actor, Theatre personality, MC par excellence, a great organiser and people of people.He had been coming to Goa for more than a decade, and specially to Arambol, when hardly anyone knew about Mandrem and Arambol.
ZouZou is an electric and ecentric personality, it is impossible to notice him, when even he is just passing by. His signature flamboyant hair; the hairstyle which never changed over the years, not even the length.
Contrary to most of the Foreign Tourists, who would throng to "Parties" with dark trance or "Goa Trance" belting out; ZouZou would be found at places where sombre International Music is playing.Often found, hosting "Open MIC" and many people would go just because ZouZou would be the MC. LIVE WIRE, as they call it.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that, "Tourist Season" would begin at the onset of arrival of Z (for brevity) in last few years, since the advent of Social Media.
Z is there, it means, you would see Hippies tumbling in.
Besides the many hats which Z used to wear; his ENCORE was the Arambol Carnival.
In those days, anyone who knew about ,this day long festivity & revelry , would not leave Goa, till they have attended it.
The Event was THE THING.
And this was entirely the show of Z.
He would conceptualise, plan and organise people and material resources. Brainstorm meetings would be planned, flyers for the same would be distributed and pasted everywhere, with Z's coordinates; mostly by him.
The SPIRIT of "Community" was fired by Z, in this part of Goa.
People come from far across the world, as we say from , "Seven Seas Across" ,live here alone; just on the support (both material & mental) of each other; and thus they feel safe; and develop a sense of belonging for Goa.
Arambol was Home for Z.
There are World famous beaches in United States of America also, specially on the West Coast. The beauty of those beaches is 99 times more than those of Goa.
But, where is the VIBE?
People don't leave places, People leave People.
Z made Arambol his home. Literally & Figuratively. It was the place, he felt, he belonged to.
Z was also stuck here in 2020, during Covid-19.
While Covid was at it's peak; he would wear mask and roam around on his colorfully decorated White Honda Activa (White was his colour of choice, despite being the most colourful person, this part of Goa has witnessed) distributing locally made and of course colourful Cotton Masks (two layered obviously) free of cost, to everyone.
This was when, the current Health Minister, who was then also the Health Minister; the Oxygen Cylinders and Respirators were mysteriously being turned off at Goa Medical College & Hospital, Bambolim.
So one very quiet afternoon in April 2020 Lockdown, Z was passing buy randomly in front of the building, where I was staying then; on his scooter and stopped.
He stopped while noticing me and got down, and politely asked me after greeting; how many PAXs living here?
I told him the number and then he fished out twice the number of those colourful & absolutely gorgeous cotton Masks and handed over to me; and said could you please pass down it to everyone?
I said, SURE ! Z then then hopped back on his colourful scooter, with local bagful of Masks and moved to next building.
While many would say, many people were doing charities in those times and many lost their lives also, while performing their moral duty; the notable thing is, Z did not click a pic with me (which obviously I would have denied) while doling out Cotton Cloth Masks.
And he gave TWO Masks for every occupants.Obviously, you know why.
For that matter, Z also suffered with Covid-19 virus and miraculously survived, despite his old age.
We do not know whether, it was due to his act of distributing those Masks, or what? But, you can guess !
This was Z. Goa was his home. Arambol was his home.
Next year, he suffered injury from a nasty road accident, while riding his Honda Activa and his legs were badly injured.
The Community which Z created (a sense of belonging to Goa and it's people) pitched in. Z got back on his feet.
But Z gave up the scooter altogether, and was fully ON on his rickety old Maruti Wagon R.
Perfect vehicle for him, a lot of headroom and not too big. IT was not colourful though, it was white.
The "Arambol Carnival" continued, in 2021 and 2022.
It was Z. That's what made Mandrem and Arambol famous.
What’s The Threat?
They wanted to earn money and brownie points with another simulatenous "Mandrem Carnival".
The biggest stooge and land-grabber of Goa is the MLA of Mandrem; Jit Arolkar, who has betrayed thousands of residents of the consituebcey; who voted for him. He would go back to full-time "Land-Grabbing" and Broking business in 2027. Mandrem has decided.
How heart-broken you would feel, when you child is killed?
How heart-broken you would feel, when no one stands for you, for what you created, from where you call your "Home"?
Z has not arrived this "Season"; and we do not have to guess why?
The "Community" which Z created is also not here and it's not only evident to those who recognise & read & remember faces; but also those who rose up in materialistic stature in Mandrem because of what ZouZou did. Single-handedly.
Being gracious & respectful towards Foreign Tourists ( Non-Russians) and being their Guardians; because they provide us our livelihood (not Bribe) is what was needed for Rohan Khaunte (Tourism Monester) and his “Chaddi-Buddy” Jit Arolkar..
Now, Rohan Khaunte, the Tourism Minister of Goa would have to organise "Bikini Festival" on the lines of World famous "Miami Pool Party", every week to attract Desi Tourists. Of Course, THAILAND IS NOT GOA. GOA HAD VIBE. THE VIBE WAS CREATED BY PEOPLE, WHO CARED TO CALL IT THEIR HOME.
The heart-break which ZouZou suffered and the heart-ache which is still bellowing out from his wailing eyes; would ensure that these petty politicians who create divide among peaceful community and destroy the VIBE of harmonious Goa; for their petty gains; gain their rightful place as petty "BJP Shakha Pramukh" of Sattari.
There are couple of more people from Europe,whom I can cite, the repeat visitors, heavy spenders.
Not only for those engaged in Tourism, but on the "Community" and on Goans, who ditched them..
They created the VIBE., which Goa is renowned all over the world.
You can query online about ZouZou.
His photo is not published because, all his photos are on META; which I do not use or endorse, in any form.
Very True .... Goa has changed for the worse... Our goans who were deceived into voting the BJP crooks must be blamed