Shacks are already dotting the beaches on Goa’s coast, but the buzz is yet to be felt as their lifeline – foreign tourists – are yet to land in large numbers. Shacks began appearing during the era of the hippies, and though there are just a handful of them that still visit Goa, the baton has been passed to the foreigners that came thereafter.
“Business started during the day and went on till around sunset, after which most foreigners returned to their rooms. Now, we have nothing much to do during the day as most Indian tourists come around sunset,” explains Romeo, who is from the third generation of a family in the trade.
With the footfall low, most shacks, despite being fully functional, still haven’t seen their business take off. However, confidence has not ebbed. As the sun begins to set, guests start stepping into the shacks and music fills the air.
Shacks within the proximity of resorts are the first to see the cash flow in. “Foreigners start coming by 9 in the morning, and by 10 am I have opened the first beer for my client,” says Mario as he serves fresh lime soda.
“They (foreigners) relax and keep going for a dip through the day, and when on shore, enjoy their drinks and nibbles. Many have their meals around 2 pm. For them, being on the beach is akin to having a sun bath,” reasons Mario.
A few metres away, Rashid from Pune is cleaning cutlery, having almost given up expecting clients for the day. “We just started, and most guests staying at the hotels are Indians. So, we hardly have any clients. We are told the Polish are coming in November, and so, no worries,” shrugs Rashid.
If the shacks are yet to buzz with activity, water sports have hit the seas with most operators happy with the response. “We have a lot of Indian clients asking for boat rides in groups, a few opt to jet ski. We have not had any interest for paragliding so far,” says Mohan, as he tries to convince clients strolling to enjoy the thrill of water sports.
“Rupees 600 for a jet ski ride and Rs 1200 for paragliding,” he says, attempting to convince a couple on a honeymoon trip, though the lady puts off any such attempt.
Most sunbeds are used by foreigners seeking a tan as they have drinks and snacks served on the beach. As the sun sets, Indian couples are seen making their way to shacks for early bird surprises.
“My friends from Delhi have settled here,” says Dolla as she sips a Bloody Mary. “I normally meet them over here for a drink and then we move out for dinner,” she says just as her friends arrive.
“We have been living in Goa for three years and are quite used to the place and the people. We normally come for a walk in the evening and manage to buy fish sometimes,” says retired bureaucrat Jacob.
“We are quite a big group that decided to meet to play games, and the ladies enjoy their kitty parties. Though we still like our home-cooked food, we dine out once a week,” he says.
That Varca in South Goa has become the second home of many Indians is clear from the simple fact gathered from the village newspaper vendor who sells more copies of a national newspaper in the village than local papers.
And so, as domestic tourists abound, shack owners anticipate the trickle of foreign tourists coming in will soon resemble at least a steady stream to boost their business.