#BlogchatterA2Z: Theme reveal: ‘Obrigado Goa’

Back in 2019, a thread on my Twitter newsfeed caught my eye. It was from Blogchatter, a blogging community that I had been a dormant member of. The thread was about the A2Z writing challenge…wherein the participating bloggers had to write posts on subjects corresponding to the 26 alphabets of the English language. 

My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to be a part of it. However, it was almost mid April then. That meant I was late to the party. 

So I promised myself I’d take it up the following year. 

And then, Bam! The world got hit by a virus, and we all know how that went. 

Anyway, long story short, we made it this far. And I think you will agree with me when I say that given the situation at hand, that is good enough reason to celebrate. 

This year, I intend typing up some loose threads. And one of them is the long pending wish to write for #BlogchatterA2Z.  I’m looking forward to this journey of writing, reading, and interacting on the blog all through the month of April. 

So without further ado, I reveal to you the theme of my A2Z series. 

‘Obrigado, Goa!’ (psst! This is where you imagine the sound of loud applause and fireworks.)

‘Obrigado’ is a word of Portuguese origin and is used commonly among the locals in Goa. It means ‘thank you’. 

Why ‘Obrigado’? 

Well, because firstly, I’m Goan and I just realised I haven’t been saying that enough…at least not here on the blog. 

Coming to the second and more important reason, I believe much of Goa’s splendour is taken for granted by its people; unappreciative locals who have forgotten its worth, visiting tourists who form half baked impressions based on tourism brochures and Bollywood movies, new generation ‘metro’philes who are ashamed of their small town heritage and crave to live in metros instead; ‘Obrigado, Goa’ hopes to be an eye opener for them all. 

 

Highlighting different topics; history, culture, food, sites of significance; this series will talk about everything that is precious to Goa. That which makes us Goans swell with pride. That which Goa would be incomplete without. That which you as a tourist wouldn’t want to miss, or you as a local would love to reminisce over. 

In a nutshell, my series is a collection of all that would make one want to take a deep breath, smile, and say, ‘Obrigado, Goa’.

So be prepared to fall (more) in love with my hometown.

Starting April 1st…

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.