So that was my school, co-ed. The only problem with studying in a co-ed was that almost every guy was trying to impress one or more girls at the same time. There were even cold wars going on between certain guys over the same girl. The girls too liked the attention because they caused it. (The power of boobs should not be underestimated)
The guys were scared to sit next to a girl, yet would still have a secret crush on her. At that age it was really scary to be associated with a girl. Peer pressure. Now there were a lot more typical characters in school, including the teachers, but it would go on and on. It wasn't a very big school when I used to study there, but during my recent visit I noticed it had grown considerably large. I also met one of my teachers and she still remembered me, although not for anything good unfortunately (after all I was quite a trouble maker). We revisited the old memories of school days, we didn't speak for long, she had to leave, she invited me to her place but I couldn't go, because I was leaving Goa the same day. But she was happy to see me and so was I, all past, forgiven and forgotten.
I was and still am a very quite person. (Yeah Right!!) I wouldn't go far as to call my self a loner but I did keep to my self most of the time. But I did have a friends. But out of them there was one friend that I used to always hangout with, we would share our lunch boxes together. She would get sandwich's and cakes and stuff like that on the other hand, I would get chapatis or biscuits, cookies. I was tired of eating the same shit, so was she. So our best option, exchange. That's how we became friends. Actually that's how I made my all friends.. with food. We all used to have a lot of fun I remember, playing football or cricket or hockey but mostly football and sometimes hockey. Sometimes when the teacher hadn't come to school we were made to go to the sports hall to watch a badminton game between 2 school champs.
They weren't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier because all they did was play, so obviously they were the center of attraction quite a few times of the year (to little girls and teachers alike) because of competitions and sports meets and what not. When they were not playing badminton they became part time bullies, bullying the crap out of other kids. But I did somehow manage to endure the school years with all the studying etc and also pass all my exams, well, just about.
That's what I like about that place, still quite few people are very warm and friendly. Everyone knows everyone or most of them at least. Goa is growing slowly and steadily. That warmth and friendliness is slowly being lost in the crowd. Its sad to see, but it is happening. But then I guess, that's the price you pay for globalisation. But there are a few thing are going to be very difficult to take away from a true thorough bred Goan,1. Afternoon Siesta which is very important by the way, that's why its No. 1, 2. Fish Curry Rice, 3. Beer / Whisky, 4. Music / Sports. I have lived in Goa for almost all of my life, 22 years to be precise. Although today when I go there I do see a lot of changes in that place, but bottom line of the true Goan lifestyle has not lost. Its hard to explain it to a person who doesn't understand it. To an outsider a Goan come across as very lazy and laid back, I say they maybe laid back, but they aren't lazy. "Susegaad" (Su-se-ga-d) is the true word for them, because it means take it easy. It isn't their fault, you can partly (say about 8.5%) blame the climate, and rest (91.5%) blame their genes. Goan people cant live without their Fish Curry Rice.