Mighty Mumbai

Lots of folks told me that Mumbai is a just a big city, not much to see or do. I know what they meant- not a lot of amazing historical sights, temples, mosques, beaches, etc. (although they have all of that), but, i have to say i liked Mumbai. Now i was only there for a day and half, i was staying in a lovely hotel that responded to my every whim and i had a driver to take me wherever i wanted to go, so who knows, living there i am sure is another story. But Mumbai is bursting at the seams, even its suburbs are full. They have filled in land (like boston) to create more land for people to live on). People come to the big city to pursue their dreams.

But it felt easy even if it does have over 16 million people and the smog was so thick the first day we couldn't see much of anything beyond our noses. I think it felt the most comfortable because it has a western feel in lots of places, but it still has that crazy, cacophonous, convulsing, confusing, colorful, caring, careening India feel (with fewer COWS by the Flora Fountain but they are close by.)

I got the feeling that i could be in Mumbai for lots of days and find a new city each day and night. It felt different from Dehli. We spoke to a professor who teaches land use and urban land issues at the university and she said that she thought that Mumbai is more accepting, inviting and also safer for women than Dehli. Our guide said Mumbai residents are very tolerant and accepting of people from every background. There definitley seems to be evern more Muslims, Christians and Hindus (than other towns we've been in) all living closely together.

The other thing i noticed is money!!! There are some folks doing quite well here. they live in big houses, drive shiny cars and work in really tall buildings.

Also jeans and cleavage!! I haven't seen cleavage in a month, but here there are some stylish women stepping out. I was thinking my friend Mary could hang in Mumbai, cause some women are wearing HEELS! (by the way, i wore the same pair of birkenstocks everyday this entire month- i can't believ it- i got a pedicure yesterday though- my feet were looking busted up from all that temple trooping)

I worry about some of my girls coming to India. Some of my girls need nice rest rooms and that is really rare in many parts of India. I did improve my squatting and pissing technique during my time here, but i tell you, when i go into a bathroom and see the throne of the western toilet, no matter how dirty, a smile comes over my face and i worship there for a moment. But still everything is so wet and there are buckets involved and an absence of toilet paper-- but I tell myself this is how you decrease your footprint- "hike up that dress and lets get going Missy." But i just don't know if some of my girls are willing to do this. (I digress!)

There is traditional dress for sure, but i noticed the differences in the women. The guys pretty much look the same. There are lots of cute Indian guys, but many of them are so tiny. Besides Indian guys seem like guys everywhere, they never look as nice as the women they are with.

So we toured around and saw the typical: India Gate, the beach, Marine Drive (looks a little like Miami)the High Court (i went in, it was cool to see all the lawyers including the women in their court robes), Colaba Causeway (did some shopping there); Leipolds (we ate there), Victoria Teminus (train station), Malabar Hills (hanging gardens), the University and cricket fields opposite it, etc. there was a lot that we did not see, so we are going back.

I one other thing that I saw was the slums (the neighborhoods that Slumdog Millionaire was based on); I asked my driver to take me - outrageously shocking and i have seen shanty towns in south africa. Is urban poverty uglier than rural poverty? is it about the number of people living on top of each other (millions)? is it the materials (corrugated metal)of the make-shift housing? What is it? It freakin took my breath away.