Stories from Mumbai

Hi, it is Beth and Azim here, going to try and write an entry together. We figure this shouldn't be too hard since we spend every waking hour together and are still talking (and nicely too) to each other. Actually, between trying to edit the kids' entries and get the pictures on and get time for ourselves on the computer, we really only have time to do this together. Okay, let's start by saying that Azim didn't want to come to Mumbai, I had to talk him into it. Can you really come to India and not see Bollywood? To be honest, we haven't seen anything to do with Bollywood except Indian music videos at Mcdonalds, but we have seen where the rich and priviledged eat and drink coffee. Azim says it is not a place to relax but we love it because so much happens all the time and it is a busy, busy place-just fun to walk down the street. Lots of characters we've run into-or had run-ins with. First was our Victoria horse carriage ride through the streets of Mumbai-down the major streets of Mumbai. And I wanted the third carriage in line because it looked like a healthy, brown (not white) horse with a nicely decorated carriage. This caused a problem with the two drivers in front but our driver had words with them and we were off-he told us not to worry but relax and enjoy the ride. We had about two peaceful, relaxing minutes before things got exciting and a police jeep pulled up beside us with maybe six officers inside. Now only Azim could understand what they were saying, but the rest of us could see their angry faces and the stick they were using to try to hit our driver. Jamil was a bit worried what they would do to us and it was a little unnerving not to know what was going on. But the driver kept talking to the police while obviously trying to get away and get away he did down a side street that was blocked to the police by the usual chunks of cement blocking most roads around here. Of course, the police could have gotten out of the jeep but I'm guessing it wasn't worth it to them. The driver kept saying in Hindi that he was very repentant (which in Hindi is conveyed by saying I touch my ears). After the coast was clear, he had a good laugh. Obviously, running away from the police was a sport he enjoyed. So much for a nice quiet horse carriage ride.

Today, we ran into another character. While Beth and I were mailing a couple of packages back home, we let the kids go to the end of the block to get some gum. After a couple of minutes, Alia and Samir returned without Jamil. We were a little concerned and we sent Alia and Samir back. In the meantime, Jamil returned with a 50 year-old Indian Hippie wanna- be. This person explained to me that he had found Jamil and thank god it was him that had been there and not a weirdo. Later on Jamil told us that he was just walking back and not lost at all when he met this guy. Anyway, I got the sense that he was aiming for a baksheesh, and I figured might as well get rid of him, so I gave him 50 rupees ( a sizeable amount in India). He wasn't impressed by what I was giving him and he gave it back to me so I went back in and finished with the post office. He hung around outside, waiting for us to come out. We looked for a back exit, but alas there was none. So as predicted he followed us outside all the way to our taxi, begging for more. Finally, I decided to turn the tables on him and told him that he had insulted me by not accepting my gift from my heart and it was a slap in the face. He said Jamil was worth more than 50 rupees but he would take it anyway. Too late I told him and anyway it was his civic duty to help a lost child. The kids really enjoy these characters and interactions and probably find it the most interesting part of India. Although, Alia is really impressed with how well people treat us here-and she's right, we have met the nicest most helpful people. Okay, long enough and the internet cafe is getting crowded. After reading Jamil's entry, please be assured that we are doing more than just eating at western style fast food joints! We're off to Rajasthan, Agra and then Delhi before flying to Tokyo on March 26th.

---

---