The Interior

The pre- portuguese interior was spartan and practically devoid of furniture. With religious conversion and the adoption of a western lifestyle the interiors changed dramatically.During the 16th and part of the 17th century, Goa became the warehouse and transshipment port of all trade between East and West and was one of the richest cities of time.Large workshops produced furniture for wealthy Goans and for export. Over a period of time the homes were filled with artifacts from all over Europe and the Far East.

A feast day in an occasion for friends and families to meet over a sumptuous lunch comprising of all that is delicious in the Goan culinary world. All this, to the accompaniment of a variety of wines. In short it is the time to eat-drink and be merry, "Goa style".

The kitchen is the domain of the 'mesta' (the chief cook) where he reigns supreme. But on certain feast days, the lady house ( in this case Dona Clementina do Bom Parto Rodrigues) takes over the reins of the kitchen activities, which forces the mesta to abdicate his power for the day, much to his dismay.

It is slumber time (after a sumptuous lunch) for 'Lord of the Manor' as he reclines on his favourite 'Cadeira Voltaire', which is essential part of the furniture in a Goan household, and woe betide anyone who disturbs him during his afternoon siesta.

Goans are great gamblers and they gamble (cards in particular) in a variety of venues like these poker faced poker players playing poker in the palatial home of Pascoal Pepino Pereira, an iron-ore magnate.