Rave before Rave … Anjuna Beach, Goa, India.

Anjuna beach Goa, half-way down the west coast of India.

Oh, about 1975, 1976 … 

Anjuna Beach had been a destination from way back when.

With its sun, beach and beauty, easy living & all. Talked about

in colder Europe and written about in underground papers

and travel notes.

And hitch-hiking and the Magic Bus could get you there,

overland from Istanbul, Turkey, all the way to Delhi,

then Bombay & a then a boat ride.

Full moon parties, with local folks offering chai & fruit round about

the sand edges.

A dj with a set-up among the rocks at the hilly start of the beach.

Very decent speakers, that rumor had it The Who had left

behind after a gig there, but rumor it is I feel sure.  

And despite the spacey, trippy, flowy, gowny, long hair

vibe of it all, the music was dance.

‘Hit the Road Jack’ from Big Youth …

Stevie Wonders’ ‘Higher Ground’ … ‘Mistra Know it All’

& ‘As’ …  “Till day turns into night …” check it, its lovely … 

‘Doin It’ from Herbie Hancock … funky jazz …

And ‘Gypsy Man’ from War … yes, apt for sure.

…

Local Chai sellers mixing and making …

Apples & bananas upon blankets …

…

Small fires lit, folks gathered around.

Chillums lit … Shiva Shankar called out.

Others sleeping under blankets,

just gone already.

And the moon was full and the waves 

broke gently on the beach.

Soft dancing by the gentle sea,

movers at the front,

by the stage.

…….

The Rajneeshis were around at this time too.

Marroon gowns, necklace portraits, imposing in ways,

cool in others, self-contained at times, a group among

themselves.

But a party it was … and funky get-down sounds that

you maybe would not have figured all things considered

as …

Under an full moon

hundreds of hippies

Wide awake … 

….

Rave before Rave … Anjuna Beach, Goa, mid-70’s.