Today had to have been the longest most tiring day in my entire 2 weeks I have been here.... Im currently enjoying every second of sitting in my flat on a plastic chair with my feet up!!! Nothing can be better than this right now... except maybe some mango ice cream- yum.
I spent all morning out in heat with the sun beating down on me as I attempted to shop around and bargain and listen to everyone saying "Madam". It really wasn't too bad... my roomie and I headed to Bandra West on Lincoln road where we thought all the shopping was at ( unfortunately we were wrong). We walked around and looked for shoes at the chapaal market and clothes. Ofcourse I can't go shopping and not buy anything so I found some indian outfits that I really liked and bargained the price down buy a couple thousand - rupees that is. The seller was actually quite nice he even walked me over to a tailor that could alter my outfit right then and there.... sometimes you find people like that and other times they are just mean.
One thing I learned and saw firsthand is how the Mumbai Municipal Party drives around everday in their big trucks to rid the streets of hawkers. They basically come and take their merchandise. It's really sad for these people (hawkers). They were picking up their stuff and running across the street while others were throwing merchandise in the streets trying to preserve anything they could. Another side of life.
I went to the Indian version of Starbucks called the Barista. Airconditioned ... with a TV... and even better the serve MINERAL WATER for FREE!!! I had pasta which was yummy and a mango smoothie... again deeeee--- lish!!!!
So the big plan for tonight was to check out the famous garba that is the largest one in Mumbai. It is outdoors and happens on some grounds about 40 minutes from where I am. So my roomie and I got dressed up .... i put on my heels... she was wearing flats.... we walked to the train station ( our only source of transport) and to my disbelief the compartments were PACKED . I had never experienced the trains like this before. I got on the ladies compartment and everyone was smooshed together ... we were like sardines... and worse everyone was sweating!!!! Im standing there in my nice new indian outfit, which had a white shirt, in my heels... pressed against everyone else there.... it was horrible... words cannot even describe.
We managed to make it to our destination and it was well worth it. Again I have to mention the spirit of India because it truly shines through especially in the festivities. Everyone came together to celebrate and do some garba. I have seen many garbas in my time but none like this. It was MASSIVE. A million people dancing their heart out on wooden stages that were set up on these grounds. It also was very violent for spectators like me, I was getting hit left and right by swinging arms and flying cloths. There was a famous singer performing there so the entire thing had live music and bands. It was amazing. The pictures describe it much better than I can. Im glad I had a chance to witness such an event. So much energy filled the grounds... lots of happy people who were just moving with the music. Unfortunately the event only lasts 3 hours due to laws enforced by Mumbai police.
So we decided to take our only method of transportation once again. This time the trains were not packed however we couldn't seem to find the ladies compartments. SO- we are running down the platform .... again I am wearing heels.... looking for the ladies compartment and the train starts moving... my roommate ( Malar) jumps into a compartment which was first class.... by the time I realize shes in and im not the train starts to pick up speed... so without thinking i start running and grab onto the pool and JUMP in.... we both stood there laughing at the situation... I couldn't believe that I just jumped into a moving train... like a true indian. So we get off at the next stop thinking we would be fined for being in first class without tickets... we run down the platform once again looking for the ladies compartment which was no where to be found and once again the train begins to move.... Malar gets on a compartment while I again had to jump in with the train moving even faster this time... it was crazy. So we ended up on a mens compartment which was fortunately not full... and stood there shaking our heads to the eventful train ride.
Hence the reason sitting here with my feet up feels like heaven .... Im sooo tired- exhaustion...
I have really seen a different side to India today...
until tomorrow.
