Iceland discovery

Late arrival to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It’s one of the first things to learn about India – nothing is on time. And I’ve just missed my train for Jaipur. Unexpectedly, I won one night in Mumbai; it did turn out to be a real jackpot.
Early evening…the sun has just drowned in hazy clouds over Mumbai and the city was as awake as ever. I set off through streets pulsing with energy and very soon my thoughts got carried away by the orchestra of unceasing horn sequences. Suddenly, I felt a gentle grasp of a small hand. I looked down and bewitching eyes immediately trapped me. She was holding red flowers and stood in an elegant, proud posture of someone who has just won a gold medal. I took flowers and gave her 100 INR, in an instant a surprised smile lighted up her lovely face. The warmest “thank you” ever.
It felt so comfortable to walk the streets holding Sunahi’s hand that I hardly realized she had led me to her home. We walked a path that seemed a living mosaic of trash, people sleeping aside and dogs wandering around. Finally we reached a small hut in Dharavi slum. Sunahi’s mother welcomed me with a cup of chai and shortly after the head of family came in. At first glance Rajesh seemed an ordinary teenage boy, but behind that kind smile there was an adult man. Several years ago his father passed away and Rajesh had been robbed of his childhood. The cricket playing, cartoon-crazy teen had grown up overnight and the responsibility of feeding the family became his reality. I feel so blessed to have been hosted by this family for my best overnight ever. In only few hours they shared so much warmth and kindness regardless of the heavy burden on their delicate shoulders.
Unfortunately, not all slumdogs become a millionaire…though they do carry a real fortune within their big hearts. Coming back from India to Europe was a real cultural shock…I still miss those tender expressions on the face of India.