It has been nine months since Brian and I have had a place to call home. Nine months of constant moving. We spent three months in a tent in the U.S. National Parks, five months sleeping in a cornucopia of South American beds, and three weeks in the guest houses of northern India. We needed a home like Linus needs his blanket.
So we found one. A perfect little apartment, fifteen minutes walk from Palolem and Patnem beaches in southern Goa. It’s incredibly low-key and peaceful here. Monkeys play in the trees above our balcony. Cows meander slowly down the street.
I am reveling in the small things. I take great joy in leaving my toothbrush on the sill, drinking coffee on my couch, and saying things like “I’m tired, do you want to go home now?” instead of “I’m tired, do you want to go back to our hostel and do you by chance remember where it is? No? Me neither.”
Home. A place to unwind. It feels so deliciously good to be here.
Please, let me show you around.
The keys to our little apartment
Our street in Patnem
My toothbrush’s home
My office
Our bedroom
Our balcony
My bookshelf
Our neighbor
Our only decoration. Ganesh, the overcomer of obstacles.
Our scooter
Patnem Beach where I take morning runs and evening walks
A popular Patnem past time
Our laundromat
A favorite breakfast spot
Palolem Beach
Our welcoming committee. This sweet girl greets us as we come and go from our apartment.
These sleepy streets are home for the next two months as I devote myself to writing and Brian devotes himself to the Game of Thrones series. Afterwards? There is more of India to explore. But for now we are here to rest. To be.
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Love the pictures! I would happily live on that quiet little street and go to the Holiday Inn for breakfast. How did you find this place? Did it take a lot of searching?
Good question! We were introduced to someone who was living there (in another apartment), called the landlord, and moved in the next day. Super easy. It seems that most places are word of mouth. Also, there are signs hanging up here and there that say “house for rent.” One thing to note: everything in India is done by cell phone. So, if you’re looking for a place it helps to have a cell phone because sending an email won’t get you anywhere.
The beach looks so calming, so inviting. I could use a little warm weather right now. Thanks for sharing the apartment pics, it looks really nice and it must feel good to stay put for a while and not “have” to get up and go each day. And isn’t it nice to have a table AND chair for your laptop? I also really enjoyed the pic of your neighbor! Ha! Thanks for sharing Kim!
Oh yeah, my favorite part of the whole place is the “desk” (which is also the dining room table, what whatever). Love, love, love having this little home of our own. It’s heaven.
Looks amazing and peaceful. Life is never going to viewed in quite the same way again!
OMG that is the damn truth!
It must feel VERY NICE to finally settle down and have some breathing time after your crazy rickshaw run!! I hope you enjoy it!
Oh man, it is very, VERY nice! Heaven here.
Wow…that beach looks like an amazing place to run!
) Happy running!
Maria
It’s a great place to run! I have a “jungle” run too that I like to do- it has hills. Great running here, really.
You will love the next 2 months what a great little spot! Enjoy! Happy Running too!
Thanks Krystin. I miss running with you!
How lovely! I can almost feel the breeze coming from that bedroom window…i know..all in my mind!:)
Hehe, it’s so hot we can’t leave the windows open! The breeze off the water is nice though.
Hi Kim and Brian,
Nice to see y’all found a home! Question – what do folks do for music around there? Is there any live entertainment? Local kids playing cool instruments? Seems like a great place to have an impromptu jam.
Anyway, enjoy! and toodles!
There is some live music. Some restaurants have live music and open mic nights. There are sometimes drum circles on the beach. Last night at dinner a man was playing his guitar and singing. It’s nice!
Looks idyllic! How long did it take for your bodies – and minds – to change gear? Your Rickshaw Run looked like my idea of hell – but this place looks like heaven. I really admire your ability to adapt so quickly to each new environment – you’re inspiring me to move out of my comfort zone more often!
Sarah, it took me about two weeks after the Rickshaw Run to really settle into the slower pace. But now I’m afraid I never want to leave it!
Thanking You
Thank You for your lovely descriptive writing and insights into India. The RICKSHAW RUN was the best!!! You made me laugh so many times.
I ‘m following Wandering Earl and picked up on “So Many Places”, you and Earl have inspired me. India has always been in the back of my mind for a LONG while. I (traveled South America in 1978-79) and at one point traveled 3 weeks without meeting another Gringo (I was in Colombia, may been the reason back then who knows?) also a hand full of other Countries in the mean time. Anyway I’m retiring this year, I’ll be 60 and have decided to hit the road once again (I still don’t have any more money than I did then). I’ve been nervous, to head out on my own not knowing anything about India, worried about my age, whether or not there are any other old grits traveling etc. Long and short of it I’ve singed up with Earl on his next trip to India Oct /Nov to get my feet wet again, and then we will see where life and the road takes me. Also looking into the Rickshaw Run just have to find a couple of other crazy’s. Let me know if you hear of any.
Bla Bla Bla
Thanks for the inspiration !!
Mark! I am so excited for you. I bet you will love India. And I can tell you that I have met many people of all ages here in India. In fact, I meet more older people than younger here, so you will not feel out of place. Earl’s trip will be wonderful! If you need any advice from me please just let me know. Oh, and, do the rickshaw run!!!! There is nothing else quite like it.
Thanks’ for the support Kim I’m sure I’ll have a few questions….soon. I was really excited reading about the rickshaw run and the few people that I told about it looked at me like I had two heads ….even thinking about going to Indi. Sometimes you just waste you breathe on people and it’s not worth trying to explain it to non travelers. I know traveling can be difficult and trying at times. I know in the past at one point I was ready to book an two week all-abusive holiday, after a trying week or so but then someone or something happens along that restores your faith in human kind.
TTYS
Oh, I totally get it! I got a lot of those looks when I told people about India. (In fact, when I told people about the Rickshaw Run a few people BEGGED me not to do it, and they were both Indian). Just do it!!! You won’t regret it ever, but you will regret it if you stay home.
HI Mark – just saw your post. I’ve been to India twice for several months at a shot and love it! It’s a place I’ll always go back to. Good luck with your trip and starting with a tour is an excellent idea. Here’s a post I wrote on how to plan a trip to India. Sounds like you are off to a great start, so just some pointers to think about. http://takeyourbigtrip.com/2011/01/30/planning-trip-india/
Thanks Kristin
I’ll be all over your “planning-trip-india” and an sure I have a few question’s. TTYS
If I understand well, the 3 of you (Sarah, Hannah & Kim) are safely settled at ‘Home’ and are blogging about travelling around the World, so funny! So, what you really needed was being far away from a full time job, having a beach not too far, and be with your boyfriends (almost) 24/7….;))))
Life…can be good!
David
I blogged about traveling around the world before I ever left too, so I guess that’s nothing new for me. Hannah has been settled in India for six months. But, yes, ‘home’ is an important thing to find out on the road I think. Some people do just move non-stop for years and years but I have no idea how they do it without going crazy. For me, I’ve found that my travels will need to be a series of “homes” if I am going to make traveling sustainable over the long-haul.
I should have add that I envy your guts to LIVE fully now instead of waiting a retreat after giving all of your best years to the Big Machine not knowing if good health will still be on your side…and I’m sure the breaks will keep you longer on the road!
Have a good run on the beach for me!
Thanks David
I do think the breaks will keep up us on the road (and keep us passionate about staying out there!)
Is there a guest bed? Im squatting right in the middle of you two! It looks amazing. Im so excited to just be….with you. Love you tons. See you in 10 days!
There will be a big, wonderful mattress on the floor. And we can take lots of naps on the beach! CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU.
Oh…we should have gone to Goa…that looks LOVELY!!
Yes! You’ll make it here eventually
Looks fabulous Kim! I’ve never been interested in visiting India but your little corner of Goa looks idyllic… maybe one day. Have fun enjoying home comforts and having the time to focus on your writing.
I was never interested in India either but I love it here. My favorite place so far. Give it a shot someday Maddie, it is a place like no other.
Looks like a lovely, sweet life. Enjoy your time in that remarkable area.
Thanks Rhonda. It is a very lovely (just wish we had our doggies with us)
I know India can be anything but, however your little abode looks so charming and restorative! It’s amazing how having several rooms of one’s own (Virgina Woolf obviously wasn’t a traveler!) can be so vital; we’ve only had one apartment since leaving, and then for only a week, but it was amazing to just be able to stretch out and take everything out of our bags and feel like that we had a place to nest for a bit. Private rooms in hostels & hotels are great and all, but I think as travelers we crave space and freedom, and an apartment feels more like a place to roost than it does a cage.
Looking forward to our beer and movie night in your lovely little apartment
Your home looks lovely, glad you get to have a well earned rest.
And try not to disturb Brian while he watches Game of Thrones, it is a fabulous series that deserves his full attention.
He’s READING it!
I hope he’s reading it on a Kindle. Those books are huge! But worth the read
Your for now home looks amazing, enjoy!
No kidding! He lugged the first two around in paperback but now he’s converted to Kindle.
Palolem is one of my favorite places in India! Have a wonderful time settling in there and your new home looks beautiful
It’s wonderful. I am so in love with India.
Enjoy the rest. Could not think of a better place to take a break.
Thanks Steve. We’re enjoying it already…
Kim / Brian Home; it has a nice ring to it! Home is more than just a bedroom with bathroom. Even if you just make coffee, and cut fruit, having a “kitchen” is what makes it a home.
Back when we were traveling, we sort of got into the routine of staying for at least a week wherever we went. As soon as we’d walk into our room, we’d completely unpack our packs, folding clothes and putting them into drawers, and hanging shirts on hangers in the closet. The empty packs would be shoved under the bed, out of sight. Presto, we’re home! In downtown New Delhi, I even cleaned our window where the morning sun came streaming in. It was so dirty, you could hardly see out. I even brought down several potted plants from the roof and placed them on our balcony in front of the window. It felt like we were in a jungle, right in the middle of the city! We also hung several posters on our walls. The owners got quite a kick out of those crazy Americans.
Brian, I like your wheels!
That’s a good idea. We need to unpack our bags more, even if we’re just staying for short periods of time. Digging through my bag has begun to drive me insane. I am so happy to have those things tucked under the bed where I don’t have to see them for awhile.
Love that you cleaned your window in Delhi. I am not surprised that it was so dirty you couldn’t see through it!
I like your neighbor
Be careful though not to upset him 
A great little place you found there – it won’t be easy to leave it, I assume. We had such good food in Palolem – really missing Indian food here in Patagonia… like you had warned us, we’re living on pizza and other bread/cheese combos 
Dani! I have been running by large herds of cows and I do so very cautiously after hearing Jess’s story!! Sorry the Patagonia food stinks (I know it stinks). Have you been to El Chalten yet? I can recommend some good food there.
What a great little spot! Looks like the perfect place to spend the next couple of months.
Thanks Pernilla. It’s wonderful.
I love all the comments! Especially the one from the guy who cleaned the window in Delhi. That is so awesome. Brian is reading Game of Thrones? Ha! Didn’t even know it was a book!! Have you started God of Small Things Yet? Love your home Kim, you have been so creative and productive there I’m sure you’ll always have fond memories of it
Oh yes, it is a book series. I’ve read three of them and think they’re tough work but Brian loves them.
I just finished “The God of Small Things” a few days ago. I loved it! Such amazing writing. Such a sad story.
Kim, your place is a mansion! Glass table and wi-fi! I’m hope I will be invited over to drink some wine at that glass table soooon.
You are welcome any time! And we will do a movie night (with wine) very, very soon.
Looks like a good place to get some rest.
I was first thinking that I would get bored if I stayed in a place like that for two months, but now thinking about it… it probably wouldn’t be such a great idea to go somewhere where there’s loooooots to see and do if you just want to be for a while:)
I worried about the same thing but so far I’m not bored at all! Sometimes I just lay on the bed in the afternoon and read. I haven’t done that since I was in high school on summer break. It’s so lovely.
Great photos. This looks awesome. I could do some serious beach time in that little spot!
It’s pretty wonderful!
Oh my God, you look so happy in that picture! I love it. Sounds like just the thing you needed right now. Looks clean comfortable and the beach is great!! Enjoy!
Karen
Yes, it is all of those things and it is wonderful
Thanks Karen!
Although I’m in Thailand, I find myself thinking about India all the time. And I really mean the time even though I’ve only been to Kerala. I can’t wait to explore more as this spot is going on my list F’SURE.
Oh man, I get it. India just sort of grabs on to you and doesn’t let go. I love it so much. And you must add Palolem and Patnem to your list of places to visit. So beautiful here!
We have just got a little flat in Ko Lanta and feel the same. It’s so nice to have “your” own place for a while. Enjoy!
Ah, we’ll be making our own home in Thailand someday (that is Thailand, right?). Enjoy “home”!
What a great little place. And that beach-wow. I am not surprised you wanted to settle there for a while. I might come and join you.
You should! It is a seriously wonderful place.
What a calming place to be! It looks so serene. Enjoy resting.
Thanks Alison, I definitely am enjoying it.
Ahh, I can imagine that breath of relief! There’s something so comforting about a dedicated, calm space to call your own. I’m missing our apartment in Buenos Aires right now – we were there a year ago and I remember so loving the chance to hang our clothes in the closet and leave our toothbrush in the bathroom (love that picture, by the way!) and have a neighborhood once again. So happy for you guys. xx
Ah, yes, a neighborhood! I hadn’t even realized that I love having a neighborhood. It’s all so lovely
Hope Oregon is treating you guys well. I can’t believe it’s been a year already.
I totally think Brian has the better end of that deal. Game of Thrones – AWESOME. The unfortunate tropical storm that passed through Brisbane for 5 days straight gave me time to RE-watch all Game of Thrones. It was GREAT. Time well spent. Have fun writing! I took forward to the outcome.
Haha, I think Brian would agree with you!
Wow that looks like a great little setup you have there! Similar to when I was living in Koh Tao, isn’t it just amazingly free to be able to work on your laptop as and when you want in such peaceful surroundings!? I miss it.
Oh man, it’s so amazing. Work, work, work, then a little swim in the ocean, work some more, a walk on the beach… pure heaven.
Careful, you included work twice in a day there!
Don’t overdo it.
Haha. Touche!
There is nothing quite like having your own space when away. I absolutely love your house, totally inspired to go to India now. Your blog keeps getting better and better, you have a great voice and I love reading your posts. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Ah, you should come! I think India is just wonderful. And thank you for your kind words- they’re the kind that keep me going
Hi Kim,
I really loved your blog concept. Especially the pictures.. they are so original. Being an Indian I m really touched. Moreover its not about being Indian, it is your passion that I loved the most. I really appreciate that
Thanks for the wonderful post.
Thanks so much Kanika. India is a wonderful country.
I like your home very much. It makes me want to live in India. I am in Turkey now and I don’t like it half as much as your photos. I sense it is time for me to move. Hello India…?
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I think you would love it here! Thought it is very, very hot and the monsoon will come in June. Best time here at the beach is October- April.
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