“Earlier the kids used to climb inside the compound
and pluck all the fruits.
Chickoo, Mangoes, Jackfruits.
No one comes here now. They have all grown up and left.
Only monkeys come now. They climb the trees and munch on the fruits, or whatever is left of it”.
-Neighbour
Abandoned memories inside the crumbling heritage (homes) destined for their ultimate ruins. This is the story of just one of the many houses that are dotted across the state of Goa, past their glory days when families united under its roof while children chased each other around the balcaos (porch) as summers peaked.
But, time being time, it passes away. People move, places fall apart, leaving behind a haunting sense of yearning as one walks by these beautiful houses.
Without any real care, these might be the last few days of these houses on this lushful land, making them easily susceptible to a new wave of development that is rapidly changing the very visual identity of Goa.
Do you have a story about an abandoned house that you’d like to share? Write to us at theblackbored@duck.com, and we may feature it here.