For those of you out there wondering, we have made it safe and sound to Mumbai. To say that this city is overwhelming is an understatement - but it is kind of nice to be somewhere so different after being in New Zealand and Australia for the past couple months. We are also happy to be off our strict peanut butter and jelly, egg, and banana diet and onto new delicious Indian food. Today we had the best meal I have ever had in my entire life, all for the low price of 473 Rupees....or about 12 dollars.
Once we got off the plane we knew this country was going to be an adventure. As we drove from the airport to our hotel we passed 5 star hotels next to shacks that people call their homes. In one of these "houses" a bunch of people were watching their plasma flat screen TV under a tarp roof. It's all kind of eye opening. The city itself is incredibly crowded and dirty, something that we are not all together used to. Walking down the street is an adventure - one minute you are trying to avoid getting hit by a car, another minute you are dodging some stray dogs, and in another you see a woman walking down the street with a basket (double her size) balanced on her head. People try to sell you everything and anything...whether it be clothes, shoes (sometimes just one shoe), food, or my personal favorite: drums. "I have big drum for you, madam, i have small drum for you, madam, 200 rubees, best price for you in mumbai!" Too bad we don't play the drums. Maybe we will start?
Our first tourist stop was to Elefanta Island, home to various caves with ancient carvings. Though they were pretty cool to look at, we were most entertained by the incredible amount of monkeys and 2 boys who seemed to have started their own juice making business at the top of a steep hill. Although we didn't have some of the juice (it would probably kill us), we did buy a soda and contribute to their cause.
Today we walked around some markets and bought our train tickets to leave tomorrow night. There are a couple of things that are really interesting about the ticket purchasing process. For starters, since we have arrived here everyone has been staring at us non stop. But, when we are on line to buy tickets, somehow we are magically invisible! I impressed some German ladies by putting into action my NY tough talk, sending some guys to the back of the line. Also, when you try to buy a ticket and you are a foreigner, there are never any tickets left. They are ALL sold-out. The train is full. BUT, if you pay an extra 300 rubees, magically seats in every class appear! We dished over the money and are heading to Goa tomorrow.
6 comments:
Mumbai, oh my!!
If you were truly a "tough New Yorker" you would have grabbed that ticket agent by the collar and made him pay you 300 rubees and gotten a first class seat to boot. Where exactly is that ticket taking you? When I tell people that the two of you are in India, I get mostly a low moan, ohhhh (translation: what are they thinking). Adventure, that's what! Have a great adventure and stay safe.
i just read your last couple of blogs and it has made my heart ache for travelling. enjoy the rest of your time in india, and steal and indian baby for me if you have room in your backpack. (but keep in mind that i would also like you to steal an asian baby for me later in your travels.)
PS -- your mom's entry was HYSTERICAL.
I've been waiting to hear what everyone else has to say about your blog. Where are you people? Well then, you don't have to twist my arm to write, but you probably won't like hearing about the day to day in East Rockaway. So I warn you, make some comments or you will be learning about all the best places to do food shopping in our little town, the price of gas (which by the way jumped 20 cents in the last three days), perhaps the local weather. I might even do laudromat reviews--exciting.
Tough New Yorker my foot, your mother understated. I guess maybe that's what happens when you try to pass yourself off as a REAL NYer. (Last I looked Nassau was not one of the 5 boroughs) This place seems to be most bizarre (that's not exactly the word I'm looking for but close enough) so far. Now just because the landscape has changed don't forget, fiber makes the world go round, have fun, be safe
Hi Jessica!
Eat well in Mumbai! We miss you and the boys are wondering when they will see you again. Watch out for the gastro illness capital of the world.
OK, enough of this New Yorker talk, I'm representing PHILLY! When you team up a Philly & New Yorker the world had better watch out. I guess that's why I'm so confident in our girls and that they will return home one day safe and sound and in one piece. Can't comment about the trail that they will leave behind though! Girls, we need more pictures!! And not too many of those cows that they hold in high regard and so dearly over there.
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