“Bemvinda” is my middle name, my grandmother’s name and a way of saying “welcome” in Portuguese.
I didn’t know that when I read the word “bemvindo” at the top of a menu a few years ago — I figured it meant “all you can eat” or “dinner special”
Until just a few years ago, I also didn’t know that Goa — the place my father’s family comes from — was a Portuguese colony in India right up until 1961. It never ocurred to me that my last name, Rodrigues, wasn’t a traditional Indian name, nor that being raised Roman Catholic wasn’t a traditional Indian religion.
This blog is about me learning all that first hand: from October 2008 to April 2009 I lived, cycled and wrote in Goa for six months. I discovered and blogged what Goa means to people who live there. I met neighbours, relatives, expats and visitors. I bought and rode an Indian ones-speed and pedalled aimlessly.
I hope if you’re interested in Goa or cycling or human nature enjoy the stories.
Ulrike Bemvinda Rodrigues
About - Ulrike Rodrigues – Writer – The Adventures of Mitey Miss
Hi Ulrike,
Stumbled upon your blog. You really write well, and have a great sense of humour.
We’ve recently returned from the UK, to (re)settle here. I’ve brought back a bike, but as it needs some basic work, I’ve not begun pedalling here. Everyone here tells me I’d be crazy to try, so it’s good to hear of your experiences.
Keep those posts coming!
Merry Christmas and All the Best for the New Year!
Luis Dias
Vivacious blog, beautiful pictures. i grew up where you now live – your stories make me miss home some.
Hye there,
I just wanted to know if your grandmother came from Moira village as I know one. Good luck in your venture and may you have a nice time.
My grandmother, Bemvinda D’Souza, lived in Nachinola with brothers Angelo (Anju) and Jerry.
Hi,
I guess we are cousins of sorts. I am Jerry’s daughter and live in New York.
Gioya
This from Aloysius (my father’s cousin and Bemvinda’s nephew):
“The only D’Souza family that I remember from my days at St Xavier’s School, Moira are Laura, big house on the right on the main Mapuca – Aldona Road. She married Joe D’Souza (who was a teacher at St Xaviers), whose house was on this main road just near the bridge coming from Mapuca entering Moira.
We stayed just opposite in Lobo’s house — now demolished and a new multi storeyed building has come up in its place. (Mrs Lobo’s maiden name was Nazareth from Nachinola behind our church — her children’s names were Grace, Patrick and Aloo. Their cousin, Antonio Nazareth, runs the restaurant ANDRON in Nachinola.)”
Hi Ulrike,
Enjoyed reading your cycling escapades in Goa! You do have a great sense of humour…about time you wrote a book!
warm regards,
Tallulah
I adore those bikes, too. The Hercules and the Atlases and all of those other ones of like design. While I was traveling in India, I began to search for parts as I have a similar styled bike and wanted some add-ons. The search brought me to the ends of towns and cities. But what I began to also develop was a burning desire to acquire one or more of those old, well used (Herculean) bikes. Battling Gardia sapped my ambitions tho’ and I went home empty handed and stomached. Wa-wa. I still pine for those bikes…
hi Bemvinda,
Nice to read about you… You sound very adventurous to me.. and your blog / writing articles is a good job which is an art in it self.
Happy blogging