Good evening to you all from a warm and muggy Mumbai (thankful for Air Conditioning in the hotel)! Today I spent my last day doing some shopping and taking long sojourns around the city by myself. I woke up later than I expected at 9am - and went to bed around 10pm last night, so I got a good amount of sleep - I needed it, too. My girls Verena and Ulla left for Goa today - they are going to be partying in a sweet place right on the beach - we'll hopefully meet up for lunch or dinner at some point within the next 2 weeks while we're all in Goa. Funny thing, 95% of the tourists I meet, they all go to Goa (or are going there, or have just come from there). Mumbai - Goa is like the most popular tourist route ever. After we had breakfast together, here's our goodbye-for-now picture:
Since I was on my own today, I was thinking that I'd be bored. Wasn't totally looking forward to shopping and bargaining, either (don't know why, I guess shopping makes me tired, too many choices). But in reality, my day was quite good and I'm very happy with it...
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Clothes Shopping
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So immediately after Ulla and Verena got into their taxi, I headed off on foot to do some shopping. Actually, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to shop for - clothes I guess, gifts for family and friends back home? Not sure what people want - if you want something specific let me know in a private message or email!!! Also, I needed to make my first stop at an ATM today - hoping that I would be able to withdraw cash and have no problems, as my prior trips to Asia have had problems doing this...
I walked up Colaba Causeway to the first roundabout located near India Gate, and made my way to Mahatma Gandhi Road, which leads you into the area of Mumbai called "Fort". We walked through Fort a few days ago on our way to the CST Train Station, so I remember that it's not NEARLY as touristy as Colaba, therefore you have far, far fewer touts that harass and follow you. Many more Indians, many who are in business suits, and there are major international banks located along that road. There are, however, a large number of sidewalk stalls and shops along the way that sell literally everything - books (English and Hindi), jewelry, sandals, clothing, souvenirs, etc. And the pathway is still treacherous - you have to dodge a LOT of traffic (Cars and Pedestrians alike), so you need to move quickly and nimbly, always having your wits about you...
I walked for a good 10 - 15 minutes (maybe more?) and came across a Citibank branch. Score! An American-based bank will likely give me no problems withdrawing cash, perhaps more reliable than an obscure Indian bank. And, it's heavily guarded - guards with big freggin guns, metal detectors, etc. So I felt safe there withdrawing cash. Sure enough, it worked like a charm. Now to see what my bank at home will charge me for the transaction :-) hehe...
One place I've been wanting to shop is called Fab India, and I passed a branch of that store along the way:
My friend Matt has also told me to check out this place, as they are a little more expensive than what you might get on the street but sell a MUCH higher quality of clothing. Boy was he right - again! I love that store! At first I thought I spent too much. I bought 3 kurtas (Indian shirts, mainly), 2 Indian Pants, and 1 button down shirt that is a modern style with a fitted look - almost like I got it at Express back home! It was really nice (and almost 1,000 rupees, but very cool). Oh and some traditional Indian sandals, which I have been wanting to get for a while but just haven't found the right ones. I'm still not 100% I like the traditional Indian Sandals - they weren't super comfortable, but I wanted them anyway. All in all I spent about 3,800 Rupees, about $83 USD - for all that???? Not bad at all! Here are some pics of what I bought - tell me what you think!:
I ended up trying them on to show you what they look like. I know, how vain of me - but I like them!! :-D
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Sandals from a Street Vendor
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With bags in hand I decided to head back to my hotel so I don't have to carry them around with me. The walk was a little farther than I wanted it to be, but that's ok - more opportunity to soak in the culture and smog from the cars, right?? :-) Along the way I came across a street vendor who was selling sandals, so I decided to stop and look. I asked him what kinds of Sandals - men or women or both?
Shopkeeper (SK): "Yes Women! Yes!"
Me: "And Men?"
SK: "Yes, ok Men are here!"
Me: "So all men to the left, all women to the right?"
SK: "Yes sir"
So I perused a little bit and saw some sport sandals that I liked - these would be easy to take to the beach in Goa, and they looked comfortable. I like the sandals that have backing to them, as the loose ones I tend to either get caught in something or trip over. I am prone to trip over my own feet - it's a quality of mine, not a drawback! :-D So I read in Lonely Planet that when bargaining, try to show a passive interest, but don't get too attached. Especially with Sandals as they are everywhere!
Me: "Ok these how much?"
--Edit: Recall I'm close to Colaba, so it's a touristy area, and I'm obviously a tourist, so the price is going to be sky high.--
SK: "Oh for you sir..... 350 rupees please"
Me: "Oh sorry cannot. Umm... 50 rupees."
SK: *Smiles* "No sir, too low only women and children price!"
Me: "What???? Men don't get that price?"
SK: "No sorry sir only women and children price."
He went on like this, I pressed a little more, but he didn't counter offer, so I said screw it and left. So alas, no beach sandals for now...
By the way about Lonely Planet - many, many tourists that I've talked to or seen on the street have the very Lonely Planet guidebook that I do. Well, some also have the shortened version for just Mumbai and Goa, but Lonely Planet is the guide that is the most HEAVILY used. I'm glad I brought it...
So I proceeded to walk back towards Colaba and on the way, the schoolchildren had been getting out of school and on their way home. I found myself in the middle of all of them, running about on the street in their uniforms, playing with each other, etc. And as they ran past me they smiled. Those experiences are the really nice part about India - the ones that just spontaneously happen, you can picture it right?
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Dinner & Cricket Field
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So I got back to my hotel, dropped off my Fab India purchases, and then headed out to get some grub, as I was pretty hungry. I found a place called New Laxmi Vila, located right near Leopold's cafe and also featured in Lonely Planet guidebook. It's a TINY, TINY place - I got a table upstairs, and the ceiling is so low I have to bend down just to enter. When I sat down, the table next to me had 2 other girls who were asking the waiter about the purity of the water (i.e. she wanted fruit juice and she asked if it was mixed with purified water - good call). But at first I didn't realize what they were asking, so I leaned over to their table and re-asked them about it. Turns out they are Americans! My first Americans in over a week! I can tell now from their accent - just like mine, I guess I really DO have an accent. Anyway, Jaime and Jill are both from New York and are returning home within the next day or so. Was good to chat with someone from the US again. I ended up having a Masala Dosa, which was really good but exactly like the Dosa I can get in Woodland's, the Indian restaurant I like back in Orlando. Seriously, it was exactly the same. So I guess that means, since I'm in India, the Dosa at Woodlands is authentic! :-D
Then I decided to walk towards CST again - perhaps this time I can see the rest of the terminal that I did not get to see a few days ago (i.e. didn't see the big, multi-story atrium, just the other parts). I walked up MG Road and didn't remember where I was supposed to turn, so I just went with it and wandered around. Ended up in front the of the High Court building, housing the Mumbai court system of course. The building itself is really cool - old, Victorian, huge, grandiose. In addition to the building, I took some photos of the streets, traffic, other buildings, etc. - just general Mumbai look and feel:
Across the street from the High Court is a HUGE, HUGE Park where many kids play and practice Cricket. You probably know that Cricket is deep in the blood of most Indians - it is to them what American Football is to some Americans, and what Soccer (or Football) is to many Europeans. I have no idea how the game works - I think it's a cousin of American Baseball, but not totally sure. I stopped to watch through the gates of the park with fascination, and took a few photos here:
Then I headed back to the hotel again, but along the way I got stopped by a tout that walked with me for nearly 10 minutes trying to get me to give him money and hire him as my tour guide. More on that below. But other than that, nothing special going on tonight. I had laundry done at the hotel (440 Rupees for 21 pieces of laundry, hand delivered, not bad I guess???) Since I ate a little late, I might have a small dinner, but nothing big - may just get room service in the hotel again, since I need to pack and stuff to leave for Goa tomorrow...
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Fictional Characters
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And now for something completely different. As alluded to earlier, I was approached by a few touts today, and one guy who walked almost 10 minutes with me trying to be my tour guide, asking if I want to pay him to show me around Mumbai. So I decided to role play with them - and I have thus created "Steve", my fictional alter ego. Apologies to my friends who are named 'Steve'. I mean no disrespect and love you guys very much, you know that. It's just the first name that popped in my head in this circumstance. I don't know why. Normally I've been ignoring touts, but somehow these guys managed to slip onto my radar and break through my defenses...
Mumbai Tout: Sir hello please yes? Where you sir going?
Me: That way.
Tout: Oh ok sir you from where please?
Me: Germany.
Tout: Oh that is nice I love Germans. I have friends, they are German.
Me: So do I, being German and all.
Tout: Yes your name please sir?
Me: Steve.
Tout: Oh very nice Steve to meet with yourself. Do you speak German?
Me: No.
Tout: Oh my friends they taught me German I know it.
Me: Ok.
Tout: ---Says something that doesn't sound German to me---
Me: ....... (Silently in my brain: Shit I hope that isn't really German)
Tout: ---Repeats something that doesn't sound German to me---
Me: I don't know, I'm learning German.
Tout: Oh I see learning German is nice too. ---Repeats the same phrase that doesn't sound German to me---
Me: Still don't know it yet.
Tout: Sir you would be liking to buy a postcard?
Me: Nein.
Later today, while taking pictures of the Cricket game, another man approached me:
Tout: Hi sir you from where?
Me: USA
Tout: Oh very nice you like jokes?
Me: Sometimes.
Tout: I have joke for you my friend. What are the 3 parts of life that suck?
Me: Getting harassed by a tout is one of them, I'm sure (LOL No I didn't say that I thought it). I said "I don't know"
Tout: 1) Job sucks. 2) Traffic sucks 3) Wife does NOT suck!
Me: HA! Ok then.
Tout: Ok you have heard of the Microsoft, yes?
Me: Of course.
Tout: Bill Gates and his wife get married, what is the first thing she says to him that night?
Me: I think I know what's coming?
Tout: No, she says "Now I know why it's called Micro-soft!! Get it??? Get it????
Me: Yup, got it!
He then starts to babble about how standard of living is worse in India than in America, wages are higher, etc. Don't necessarily disagree with him, but I just nod. He tells me even more dirty jokes (well not dirty by American standards, but dirty innuendos for sure).
Me: How long can you go on like this? How many jokes do you have?
Tout: Sir you spend time with me I tell you them for 3 days straight.
Me: Wow, I see.
Tout: Sir you are wanting to see Mumbai yes?
Me: No I have already seen it.
Tout: All of it sir?
Me: Yes, all of it. I am the Mumbai Master.
Tout: Ok sir how long you stay for? For 100 rupees I show you parts of Mumbai you have not seen.
Me: Not interested, I'm leaving tomorrow.
Tout: Ok well perhaps we run into each other at a future time and I show you yes?
Me: You never know.
Tout: Ok sir. ---Shakes my hand---
Actually I shortened it a lot, I can't remember all parts of the conversation, but I do remember those 2 jokes. Thought you would enjoy them as well :-) By the way, I have a feeling that fictional character Steve will, in the future, be from yet another European country, but I haven't decided which one yet...
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That's all for now. Tomorrow morning transit to the airport for my flight to Goa, then check in to Purple Valley Yoga for my Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga retreat! Will be good to do some regular yoga again and connect with other yogis on that level. I will be in Goa for 2 weeks, so I'm sure I will travel around the area a lot, take photos again and write more on the blog...
All in all, very fulfilling trip to India in just 4 days. Mumbai impression is generally positive thus far - it certainly has its problems and annoyances but I had a good time - I can STILL hear the car horns right now, it is constant, and I no longer take it personally when they honk at me trying to cross the street. I will probably return again to this city someday in the future, not sure when, but I still need to see a lot more of this country...
Namaste and Love from India :-)
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