A Life of Pi moment?

Palolem, it's one of the most interesting beaches I personally visited last new year's.

It was a bright sunny morning to Day 1 of 2023 and I remember vividly I saw a tree and a huge rock beneath it which called me to meditate. So I sat on the rock folded my legs, closed my eyes and started humming. Probably 10 mins I think is how long it was and that's when I actually felt like I meditated for the first time in my life. Understanding my senses, feeling the calmness inside but also listening to the waves along with the air brushing up my face. It was surreal.

The very next morning, I woke up early feeling all restless and agitated due to some reasons.

My instant reaction was let's head to the beach, meditate and I'll feel better. So I grabbed my white shirt and rushed to the beach barefoot (I am almost always barefoot on a beach).

Within a few steps I was already walking to the backwaters of Palolem. It was early so almost empty, so I sat down just besides the backwater stream facing the waves and hoping that I would feel better like yesterday. As I closed my eyes I could feel I was forcing it just to make me feel better. But still I kept my calm and hoped for time to come and make me feel at peace. Little did I knew, the place had other plans.

About 5-10 minutes of unsuccessful attempts and unease inside I heard some dogs barking from quite a distance exactly behind me. I got irritated as already I was struggling to concentrate, I kept my mind straight and eyes closed and decided that I won't open my eyes. To my surprise the barks were slowly getting louder, that obviously meant the dogs were coming closer oof. At this point I wasn't sure of what's happening so I kept at it. And soon, the barks and footsteps got so loud that I could hear them almost behind me. So I finally had to break my ongoing unsuccessful attempt and did got curious as to what's happening.

5 dogs, out of nowhere were literally surrounding me (at this point) where I was sitting and were barking at me! Well well well, I love dogs but when 5 of them are barking (or crying I am not sure) at me I had no option but to wait and see what's gonna happen as my mind was sooooo confused that I couldn't even think of getting up. I was just looking at them one by one and they didn't charge on me either and continued to bark. Slowly their barks turned into howling, yes! I remember so clearly that they all howled together (exactly as wolves do at night) facing the South (almost) and at this point every human around me was astonished along with me!

After a minute or two of howling they started settling down around me, yea stay with me, they sat one by one around me, 2 in front, 2 on either sides and 1 at the back. They all made sure they were sitting close enough that their bodies were touching me (As if they were there to make me feel calm). I wanted to record this but I left my phone deliberately at my room! Trust me processing all this was one of the confusing things I was doing at that moment, especially now everything's quiet suddenly. I by nature love animals and hence started petting them (Also a little because I was scared and hoped they won't hurt me if I did so). I petted them for like another few minutes and that's when I felt like

'a Life of Pi moment'.

I cannot explain what magic it instilled in me but I surely can convey that something like this exists out there. I am sure it was magic. I was so moved and confused with what actually happened and my thoughts about it that I was feeling overwhelmed now.

As I was petting them, one of them got alert and others stood up suddenly and they ran towards the backwaters so quick that before I could gather my thoughts and turn and see where they went, they were gone. Just like that.

I.. I just got up, patted my clothes, took a deep breath when suddenly I remembered I spotted a lady recording the beginning part. I was skeptical but had to grab that piece of video as I knew it would be hard for even me to believe it afterwards that this did happen! So I went up to her (Her name was Enrica and she was from Spain) and asked her if she recorded anything she said yes! As I don't know Spanish and she had problems with English (Although it's more fun to communicate like this I swear haha!) I somehow got the video transferred. Yes I have it.

This is a snapshot from the one and only video I have from the very moment.

Eventually I did go back to this incident quite a few times throughout the year and it makes sense to me only through the explanation of how they came to comfort. This was the start of the year and the magic nature introduced me to which made me believe in it and trust me it followed along throughout the year of my travel. Sometimes I could see it sometimes it had it's ways I think.

But yes I just wanted to thank you for reading and understanding this piece till the very end as it's very personal and sacred to me. And yes please do let me know your thoughts (and if similar incidents below!)