Bombay/Mumbai

The trip to Bombay/Mumbai is worth mentioning cos
1. First time I am there
2. My good old American friend, Colin Mark Holmes is working there and it feels really great to hear from him that he is fine.
3. It feels so good to be near the himalayas again. The weather is not the same though.

The trip to mumbai sorts of trigger the desire to explore new places...Here it goes..

1. Took a tuk tuk to the train station Andheri. It costs abt 25rupees(Rs) and it is similar to the Thai tuk tuk... the usual horning and near misses along the road.

2. Took a train down south to a place called churchgate terminal. Cost abt 30Rs one way. The mumbai train is really notorious and not for the faint hearted. But I must say that it is really an experience. The train, though very out dated, cramped and very crowded. But it still remains as one of the most efficent and cheap way of getting around Mumbai. People of all shapes and size SQUEEZE into the train as one, and people would squeeze into the almost impossible space available on the train. If you are alighting, you better be slightly aggressive and fast cos everyone is pushing one another to get off the train..Must take care! And yes, I saw somebody climbing to the roof and inbetween carriages to hook up on the train. And there is also a drunkard hidding himself under the seat. NOW, I really know that the Singapore MRT is really not too bad after all!

3. At the churchgate terminal, continue your journey to a tourist place called Colaba by Tuk tuk again (20Rs)

4. Colaba is the tourist place where you can find cheap bargains in books (made in India), clothings and accessories. There is also the Colaba market where there are various sales of spices and fruits.

5. Poverty is very much visual on the streets. A lot of built up slums and young singlehood mother...Very much I like to chip in my five cent ten cents worth, but I know I must not...cos this will make them believe thet begging can get them round...And once you give to one, all the rest of them will come swarming to mi. The recipent may not benefit as he or she may be robbed after that...Believe mi, I had seen that with my own eyes in Nepal.

Enough of the mixed feeling, life still goes on, the earth still spins. Photography wise, lots of interesting sights to take of...enjoy!

Anyone want a cooking pan from my head?
Eer, I say again - which telephone line is unservicable?
On the Mumbai train. I am coming home, mama!
Believe mi, this is still not full yet on the mumbai train
Ladies cabin only - no guys are allowed..Interesting!

:)

aliying