All is "well and good"

Dont know if I spelled that right, but thats the name of the beach I spent the day at. I had a decent day. I was able to follow peoples directions and take 2 different buses to make my way to that beach (about 45 min away) and suprisingly, find the same 2 buses to make my way back! This was a more difficult yet much more affordable option than getting a taxi (I paid about $.50, sweet!) I spent the day camped out on a sun bed next to a grass hut called "The only Spot", which was a restaurant that served fish and some snacks. It was interesting there, lot so European grannies and gramps in speedos. I chose one of the places full of white/wrinkled tan bods of other foriegners like myself (umm accept I was the youngest one there by far!) A few stray dogs and a cow the exact color of the sand also spent the day nearby. I read my book, drank much water, fended off countless vendors selling everything from peanuts and wooden snakes to massages. Oh, I also had a moment of fright when the clasp on the back of my bikini top suddenly snapped. Luckily I was laying on my stomach. I quickly snatched my t-shirt and threw it on, ran to find a bathroom and remedied the situation with an extra hair tie. What did I expect anyway, from a swimsuit bought from a thrift store?!? (Plus the clasp broke once before and I had to replace it. At least that time I was in my own backyard not in Goa!) I'm a bit burned but not too bad. I bought some aloe vera gel to lather up with. Something I havent said much about is the issue of beggars. There are plenty of them here, especially in the touristy places, and of course they migrate to white skin. When I was in India 5 years back, I occassionally would give to them, but this time I havent yet. It's kind of a tricky issue. On one hand you do feel inclined to give, but on the other, you know that this is what they do for a living, they try to sell themselves to your pity so you'll give them money. Many of them could just as easily be selling jewelery and sarongs like other people there. Some of them intentionally mame themselves or try to make theyselves look pitiful (no I'm not joking, I've studied this!) Also some of them will not leave you alone if you give them something and they will watch where you keep your money and steal from you. I feel kind of like a wench when I'm here on my own. I usually naturally smile and laugh all the time but I find that I need to guard myself so as not to attract attention. Not to sound concieted, but there are times I wish I was a bit fat and ugly so that people wouldnt care so much to look at me. (Ok, I really dont want to be that, but it would be nice to have a disguise like that for times like this!) I decided not to switch hotels because I'm already quite moved in where I am, and plus it gives me something to do, riding the buses to other places! I'll probably go back to the same beach tomorrow, but this time sit under an umbrella to avoid further burning. And if you were wondering why I am suddenly writing so much, well its because I have no one to talk to during the day, and being such a social person, I have to get it all out somehow, without running into any more sticky situations. Well, thats all for tonight, time for dinner. I have to go buy more chapattis though - in my haste I dropped mine on the way back to the hotel!