When we arrived at Mumbai, based on what I've heard from other people, I expected there to be hundreds of Indians waiting for their families outside the terminal and to my surprise, there wasn't. Seemed like the average airport, actually quiet. As we got into the taxi though, the chaos began! They say if you can drive in Trinidad, you can drive anywhere in the world. WRONG. It's more like Mumbai! They are insane here- bicycles, taxis, motorbikes and my favourite - tuk tuks - all honking their horns constantly like it's going out of style. There is no order in the roads, you pretty much drive where and how you want. You almost feel like you're in a video game race and everyone's trying to win. And despitet the madness on the roads, you trust their driving skills.
We stayed for our first 2 nights at Anjali Inn in Sakanaka, Andheri East which was near the airport and very far out from the places we wanted to see. In a way, it was a good exp
erience because we were forced to travel further and therefore see more of Mumbai. The tuk-tuk ride from the Inn to the train station to go venture out was fun for Karen and I. Coming from a busy city like London, it's a little easier to adjust to the chaos but it's still very much a culture shock. As we walked through the train station and surrounded ourselves with the locals, I couldn't help but feel anything but out of my comfort zone from not having a clue where I was and from everyone staring at us like aliens who just landed from space. That is probably the best way I could describe it. I am used to it being a white girl growing up in Cunupia, Trinidad, but this was worse. By the end of our first day, I got very accustomed to the staring and it really didnt bother me anymore. Despite that, almost everyone was quite pleasant and friendly to
us. And despite the number of people and the poverty, I felt very safe. The women are beautiful here, all dressed in bright colorful saris and the men all in clean, ironed color shirts and long work pants. I have yet to see a man in shorts even in 35 degree celcius weather, still can't figure out why though. Everyone has their shoulders co
vered, and of course my massive backpack is filled with sleeve less vests and tops. So within a few hours of feeling over exposed, I have had to use my shawl to cover up and show respect for their culture.
We spent the first two days commuting out to various parts of Mumbai by train, bus, taxi and tuktuk. The train rides were my favoruite - airy and breezy because the doors are open and everyone hangs out of them. People jump on and off the train tracks and for some strange reason there is always a mad rush to get on and off. When I say mad rush - I don't mean the rush like getting on the northern line tube during rush hour in London. I mean proper shouting, pushing and scurrying! Survival of the fittest, as if a lion is chasing them and they need to jump on the train to escape. Of course, we got caught up in the bacannal/chaos of pushing through the crowds and couldnt help but bust into laughter after we finally managed to get off. It was really shocking the slums we saw from the train rides. It's poverty like I have never seen before, not even on televsion. There is garbage everywhere - and children playing on it. Clothes were not even hanging up to dry, they were spread out across the garbage and gravel to dry. It's hard to describe in words what the slums were like, you need to see it to understand. Almost everywhere we went, there were people begging for money. Mostly children and handicapped people so you couldn't help but want to give. Then after a few days of it, you realise you can't help everyone and you build up strength to say no.
All the images I wanted to capture of Mumbai, I felt I couldn't because being surrounded by such poverty, I feel guilty pulling out a digital camera to take photos. India truly challenges your senses - sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. Not many people would want to travel India the challenging way, on government trains and buses, hot, sweaty, smelly and unsanitary, but it's all part of the experience. And you wouldn't get a true sense of the culture unless you submerge yourself into it fearlessly.
In Mumbai, we visited Crawford Market and ate at Revival, a thali restaurant which was recommended by the guide book. This type of food is a mixture of all types of food throughout the different parts of India. We also visited the Fashion clothes market where I bought a purple and pink Indian baggy pants to wear. Karen also got a black one. They are perfect for India, covered up, traditional and airy for the weather. I really want to wear a Sari here, going to make sure I do it before I leave.
We sat and watched some cricket in a park near the oval which was relaxing. Then one man helped us catch the bus to and Chowpatty beach which was like a bazaar on a beach - families come out and sit and enjoy the music, food and the scenes of city buildings nearby. One of my favourite parts of Mumbai was Fort, a colonial area which was where the British stayed. Beautiful buildings, peaceful with lots of big shady trees. We had some fresh coconut water and came across some cute goats with the longest ears!
The food is all tasty and so ridiculously cheap - you can eat a nice meal for 20-80 rupees which is average 50 pence. A taxi ride for 15 mins is 40pence. You feel as they deserve so much more but to them it's good money. We have been asking alot of people how much things should be to avoid being ripped off. But sometimes it becomes such a hassle to get the right price, you give up and just give in to paying more.
Mumbai, a city on the mid west coast of India with over 20 million people - is busy, hussling, crowded, dirty and smelly - but there is always something interesting to see. It has some of the biggest slums in the world. The one from Slumdog Millionnaire movie, we drove past and it alone has 1 million people. Oh and this is quite an interesting fact : for every one million people in Mumbai, there are 17 public toliets! That will give you a good idea of how lovely the toliets are! How I love squatting in holes to pee and holding my breath! No complaints at all tho - I am loving this humbling experience and feel lucky to be here.
Enough of Mumbai and the hectic city life, we are now on an 18 hour public train heading north towards Udaipur, which is supposed to be the romantic place of India, with lakes and palaces.
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| Tuk Tuk Ride in Andheri, Mumbai |
We stayed for our first 2 nights at Anjali Inn in Sakanaka, Andheri East which was near the airport and very far out from the places we wanted to see. In a way, it was a good exp
erience because we were forced to travel further and therefore see more of Mumbai. The tuk-tuk ride from the Inn to the train station to go venture out was fun for Karen and I. Coming from a busy city like London, it's a little easier to adjust to the chaos but it's still very much a culture shock. As we walked through the train station and surrounded ourselves with the locals, I couldn't help but feel anything but out of my comfort zone from not having a clue where I was and from everyone staring at us like aliens who just landed from space. That is probably the best way I could describe it. I am used to it being a white girl growing up in Cunupia, Trinidad, but this was worse. By the end of our first day, I got very accustomed to the staring and it really didnt bother me anymore. Despite that, almost everyone was quite pleasant and friendly to
us. And despite the number of people and the poverty, I felt very safe. The women are beautiful here, all dressed in bright colorful saris and the men all in clean, ironed color shirts and long work pants. I have yet to see a man in shorts even in 35 degree celcius weather, still can't figure out why though. Everyone has their shoulders co
vered, and of course my massive backpack is filled with sleeve less vests and tops. So within a few hours of feeling over exposed, I have had to use my shawl to cover up and show respect for their culture.
We spent the first two days commuting out to various parts of Mumbai by train, bus, taxi and tuktuk. The train rides were my favoruite - airy and breezy because the doors are open and everyone hangs out of them. People jump on and off the train tracks and for some strange reason there is always a mad rush to get on and off. When I say mad rush - I don't mean the rush like getting on the northern line tube during rush hour in London. I mean proper shouting, pushing and scurrying! Survival of the fittest, as if a lion is chasing them and they need to jump on the train to escape. Of course, we got caught up in the bacannal/chaos of pushing through the crowds and couldnt help but bust into laughter after we finally managed to get off. It was really shocking the slums we saw from the train rides. It's poverty like I have never seen before, not even on televsion. There is garbage everywhere - and children playing on it. Clothes were not even hanging up to dry, they were spread out across the garbage and gravel to dry. It's hard to describe in words what the slums were like, you need to see it to understand. Almost everywhere we went, there were people begging for money. Mostly children and handicapped people so you couldn't help but want to give. Then after a few days of it, you realise you can't help everyone and you build up strength to say no.
All the images I wanted to capture of Mumbai, I felt I couldn't because being surrounded by such poverty, I feel guilty pulling out a digital camera to take photos. India truly challenges your senses - sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. Not many people would want to travel India the challenging way, on government trains and buses, hot, sweaty, smelly and unsanitary, but it's all part of the experience. And you wouldn't get a true sense of the culture unless you submerge yourself into it fearlessly. |
| Thali food at Revival |
We sat and watched some cricket in a park near the oval which was relaxing. Then one man helped us catch the bus to and Chowpatty beach which was like a bazaar on a beach - families come out and sit and enjoy the music, food and the scenes of city buildings nearby. One of my favourite parts of Mumbai was Fort, a colonial area which was where the British stayed. Beautiful buildings, peaceful with lots of big shady trees. We had some fresh coconut water and came across some cute goats with the longest ears!
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| Chowpatty Beach, Cricket & Goats |
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The food is all tasty and so ridiculously cheap - you can eat a nice meal for 20-80 rupees which is average 50 pence. A taxi ride for 15 mins is 40pence. You feel as they deserve so much more but to them it's good money. We have been asking alot of people how much things should be to avoid being ripped off. But sometimes it becomes such a hassle to get the right price, you give up and just give in to paying more.
Enough of Mumbai and the hectic city life, we are now on an 18 hour public train heading north towards Udaipur, which is supposed to be the romantic place of India, with lakes and palaces.
love your commentary......so jealous!
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