Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Claiming the Right to Say No
My Experience / Understanding of
Israeli Tourists and Other Tourists at
Vagator and Arambol Beach
Introduction
Interest, was what pushed me to do a study on Israeli tourists in Goa. As
we went to Vagator and Anjuna, it was a different type of experience. Goa
is a famous tourist spot and a lot of tourists come here for vacations. But
what they do and how they live in Goa was not known to me. This study/
research has indeed helped me a lot; to know and understand many
things that are going on in Goa due to their presence and stay. We hear
a lot being spoken about tourist and tourism in Goa. But are we really
interested in knowing and understanding what they do in Goa? Or how
tourism is affecting our Goa and the Goans?
My Experience Begins
By Myron Jeson Barretto
On New Year’s (08) night we went for a party at Vagator in 9 Bar, which
was being organized for three days. The experience was similar to the
party I had seen at Palolem beach. But this time I got a chance to observe
carefully. I also tried to engage myself in the party especially on the
dance floor. The D.J’s were playing trance music. There was a great
crowd of tourists. All were enjoying the music and some were dancing in
their own mood and disposition. Most of them, men as well as women
were smoking and consuming alcohol. Some were even taking drugs.
Some were selling drugs. All were in their own groups/comfort zones.
There was a person who was moving to every corner of the dance floor
to see if there was any girl who was sitting alone. He had different symbols
in his hand, such as a small red torch, words written on a piece of paper
“Do you want to have sex” and some pornographic pictures. He was
16