Here a curious little bunch of beauties known as 'beatas', the local gossipers. They comprise usually of middle-aged women, spinters and widows, who move in groups or in pairs and are always to be found buzzing around the market place, in the vicinity of the local church or in a 'balcao' exchanging in hoarse whispers, the latest bit of scandal and gossip. Those sweet ladies are at the moment, discussing the affairs of Bartolomeo da Costa, the village Romeo, who is currently carrying on a clandestine affair with Ermelinda, the village belle.

The 'TAVERNA' is to the rustic Goan what a Pub is to the Cockney. It is a cosy spot for a quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) little drink, after a long day's work in the field. A 'Copito' of 'feni' or 'urraca' and one for the road, an exchange of local gossip, a talk about the crops and the weather, a silent prayer as the church bells sound the Angelus, a song or two, a curse for what is wrong with life in general and just one more for the road, and the worker's day is done. At eight the church bells chime again, and the 'Taverna' closes for the night. The labourers wend their way home, and the village is silent and dark again.