I hadn't been particularly looking forward to visiting Mumbai after the tragic events of a few weeks ago, but it turned out to be one of our favourite Indian cities. Although as busy and congested as one might imagine, there was a semblance of order to it and even a few green, relaxing spaces.
We stayed in the Fort area, right next to the train station, for two nights and spent a day exploring the surrounding area down to Colaba around the port. The Taj Hotel, where most of the hostage taking took place, is situated right by the water, next to the Gateway to India monument. The whole area was sectioned off by security barriers and to get close to the gateway everyone had to enter and exit via metal detectors. No-one was allowed immediately around the hotel and the majestic building was closed and deserted. Groups of people where having smiling photos taken in front of the ropes, but I couldn't help but feel it was a bit soon for that.
During our brief stay in the city we enjoyed some good food and drink from street vendors and admired some impressive architecture, including a few obviously once-magnificant art-deco buildings.
Our taxi ride to the airport in the morning took in the greater Mumbai area, where we witnessed some of the worst poverty so far. In fact, as the plane left the runway, most of what I could see out the window was row upon row of the corrugated iron rooftops of the suburban shanty towns.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed our time in India and I think I can say the same for Ben. Although sometimes shocking, and often filthy, there is an undeniable energy and colour about everywhere you go.
Here are a few thoughts on our short time in the country:
1)Oncoming vehicles and blind bends are apparently not reasons to avoid overtaking.
2)Cows, dogs, warthogs and monkeys can be as big a part of city life as traffic and people.
3)You can't expect anything to happen at the time, or the speed, that is scheduled.
4)There's no such thing as maximum capacity on buses.
5)Rickshaw drivers are just playing a big game of Mariokart.
6)Children love waving, shaking your hand and having their photo taken.
7)Motorbikes are for entire families, including Grandma, and not just two people.
8)You can't prepare yourself for just how many people are unbelievably poor.
9)A lot of people are very friendly and just want to chat to you, even when they aren't trying to sell you something, but it is difficult not to be suspicious.
10)If you look above the piles of rubbish, there are some of the most beautiful buildings, best views, most interesting people, and intricate handicrafts in the world.
11)...you can never have too much sugar.
