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

Claiming the Right to Say No
An Experience I Never Had
In My Life
By Kevin Fernandes
(I would like to share some of the findings of our tourism research from the
1 st to 5 th of January 2008. It was an experience I never had in my life
where I was left free to go after tourists and carry on my research.)
On the first two days, I had a tough time getting familiar with the locations,
the people of Anjuna and the foreigners especially the Israelis. The first
day, there were some foreigners asking for the 9 Bar at Anjuna. Since,
we were new too, instead of us telling them, where the spot was, Alfie and
I followed them. Also, many other tourists were going the same way. In the
evening, we lost track of them and were in search of the ‘9 Bar’. At night,
after finally reaching there, we heard loud trance music being played up
on the hill. From the beach, I thought I was lost, not knowing how to climb
up the hill. Then we saw a couple going through a narrow way with an
ignited torch and we followed them. Finally, at the entrance of the ‘9 Bar’
my heart was beating heavily with the deafening music. I was just awe
struck with the scene inside. It was a thrilling experience, where everyone
was engaged in rocking the dance floor. Nobody else bothered them.
Boys and girls moved in and out clinging to each other. Smoke was puffed
all around and drugs were taken publicly.
They were absolutely crazy and flung their hands in all directions. I
thought of talking to no one but only observe. The first day there were
mainly foreigners but the next two days there were more of Indian tourists.
They kissed and pressed anywhere. The 9 Bar closes at 10:00pm even
if the dancers ask for more music. Most of them were scantily dressed and
were very provocative. Most of them were intoxicated and were in full
swing which made it difficult to approach them. They looked to be
completely craving for happiness but marred with only sensual pleasure.
48