Ambling in Africa: Monsoons in Mumbai

A far more sophisticated Delhi...and much wetter!! !!!!!

There's 25 million people in Delhi and a mere 22 million in Mumbai (formerly called Bombay...which I prefer) so clearly a much smaller town. I can say for sure that almost all of them were on the train or in the temple on the first day I ventured for a look around. The trains are literally packed like sardines. And as you can see I was relegated to hanging on the side of the train as we rocketed along careful to keep your arms and legs inside and an eye on your bag so as not to have anything nicked. I heard that 4 people die every day falling off trains in Mumbai. I could see that. I showed up for the train with a cappuccino in one hand and a newspaper in he other. Nope...not today. Ha!!! Women are in separate cars due to wandering hands and the push - shove - punch that happens when the train arrives. Hilarious... The temple was amazing as was the process of lining up and getting some time inside. There were likely 50000 people all making their way to the front to get the dot!

Yup-- got the Dot!!

A note on traveling from place to place in a taxi or the infamous tuk tuk. Not surprisingly you will have to negotiate a price so having an idea of what the price might be is important if you don't want to be taken. Always laugh heartily at the first offer. But even more important is the need to determine if the driver really does know the address. I have had drivers enthusiastically indicate their full understanding. Yes yes yes ... no problem... only to end up with the driver having no idea. But!!!! He got the fare and in frustration you'll likely leave ending up on the side of the road.

One cool thing I've not seen before is an expressway that goes out over the ocean and reconnects on the other side of town. Hmmm ... great idea. Mumbai is far more sophisticated and developed than Delhi. There are large modern buildings everywhere and even though it's home to the world's largest slum (Slum dog millionaire) and half the 22 million are living well under the poverty line, it's coming along very well. The current government is progressive and focused on significant change even though the Modi group is not without its foibles.

Travel is as much about the major sites and attractions as it is the little things along the way. It's tempting at times to just to take a cab. The cost is relatively low and you're out of the monsoon weather and more protected from the pickpockets along the way. Weather is crazy! From dry to incredibly wet quicker and more uncomfortable than another Donald Trump tweet. That said, you can definitely miss out on the juicy bits in between. Here we have some public art and a great looking character selling his olives and puffing on a ciggy. You gotta love the henna beard and hair and laid back manner.

The gateway to India-- with my dot .....

The Gateway to India behind me is where the British finally left this fine country to the people it belongs to. I'm not a big fan of colonialism though have to admire some of the monuments erected in celebration of the conquests! On the left here is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya' museum. Try giving that destination to a cab driver. I took the train :)

The museum was exceptional in terms of content and taking on the monumental task of explaining the convoluted history of Maharajas and Generals, trade and tyranny.

The 2008 attacks in Mumbai left 165 people dead punctuating the continuing conflict between Pakistan and Greater India. The Taj Mahal hotel was nearly destroyed in the attack but has been completely renovated and restored to it's former glory. I love old famous hotels and wandered through this one thinking of the people and conversations that had been had here over many years.