After a harrowing taxi ride on Friday night (which probably eclipses my experience in St. Petersburg), I made it to Bombay (which was renamed Mumbai in 1995). The city is HUGE. With a population around 25 million people, it seems like the city sprawls forever. The airport, which is about 25km from downtown, is an endless distance away, due to lack of infrastructure and overpopulation. Yet, no matter what the distance, nothing is more than a $5 taxi ride away... with most short distances being under $0.50.
The city is a bustling place. Traffic is non-stop, vendors crowd the streets and everyone has somewhere to be. The population ranges from men in business suits to the destitute who live on the highly-trafficked streets. Everything is unsanitary by American standards - Bombay makes the streets of New York City look pristine. Wow, I never thought I would say that. Nonetheless, Bombay is still an interesting place. European-style architecture dominates the downtown, as Bombay was the center of British trade for a number of decades. Palm trees line the streets and the sea is nearby. The smells of the city change rapidly - one second the air is full of fresh fruit sold by vendors, the next, a whiff of sewage. Despite the downsides, the constant 80 degree and sunny climate cannot be beat.
On Saturday night, I traversed up to Worli to go to one of the wedding events. This event, which was probably the fourth or fifth event of the wedding was more or less a talent show for the bridal party, family and friends. A number of people, all clad in flashy saris and kurtas, danced and sang onstage, while all the onlookers enjoyed Indian fare - which was entirely vegetarian because this is a Jain wedding. A few people from school were there, so I got to hear about their travels through India and what to expect.
The wedding is all day on Sunday. It should be interesting.
The city is a bustling place. Traffic is non-stop, vendors crowd the streets and everyone has somewhere to be. The population ranges from men in business suits to the destitute who live on the highly-trafficked streets. Everything is unsanitary by American standards - Bombay makes the streets of New York City look pristine. Wow, I never thought I would say that. Nonetheless, Bombay is still an interesting place. European-style architecture dominates the downtown, as Bombay was the center of British trade for a number of decades. Palm trees line the streets and the sea is nearby. The smells of the city change rapidly - one second the air is full of fresh fruit sold by vendors, the next, a whiff of sewage. Despite the downsides, the constant 80 degree and sunny climate cannot be beat.
Bombay University
On Saturday night, I traversed up to Worli to go to one of the wedding events. This event, which was probably the fourth or fifth event of the wedding was more or less a talent show for the bridal party, family and friends. A number of people, all clad in flashy saris and kurtas, danced and sang onstage, while all the onlookers enjoyed Indian fare - which was entirely vegetarian because this is a Jain wedding. A few people from school were there, so I got to hear about their travels through India and what to expect.
The wedding is all day on Sunday. It should be interesting.
What was your talent Eric?
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