Getting attacked in Mumbai

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Hey everyone,

Just got back from Chowpatty beach...supposedly the "happening" beach in Mumbai (Bombay). Izabela has never laughed so hard and Kris, well Kris has never been hit on so much. And no, not by women. I guess it started when Kris decided that although no other male in sight had his shirt off, it was ok by him to take his off. It was a beautiful day and scorching hot and we were on the beach. What guy in Vancouver keeps his shirt on when its hot outside? So the first "massage" guy comes over to us and starts grabbing HIS leg wanting to give him a massage. No no no no no......that means nothing, or they don't understand that word, but then again, even the shaking back and forth of the head isn't understood. We were offered nuts, and chai and coffee and these massive balloons...what the hell do we need huge, and I mean huge, balloons for? Then this one guy came over to KRIS and offered or rather begged him to have a head massage. The best in India. uh huh. Soon after we had a crowd around us....i mean a circle of half the beach (all
men) watching us trying to say no to the guy who desperately wanted to give Kris this massage. Kris seriously thought they wanted to start a fight. We were sitting, they were all standing, staring at us, slowly coming closer to us. But as soon as Kris got up to take a picture with one of the guys, they all started praising him. He has never felt like that. He felt like a GOD.
How bizarre. So continuing on with our last email....despite Nav's reassurance that Izabela's ass will be grabbed....Kris still and will always hold the title here in India.

Well, that's our story for all of you to laugh at....we arrived in Mumbai last night after a grueling train ride from Udaipur. We also made it to Ranakpur, home of the nicest Jain temples we've seen so far and one of the most relaxing places we've stayed overnight at. So peaceful. I also got
sick that night, but it was only a night...so no worries. Udaipur was nice....we've stopped seeing all the touristy stuff and just focused on walking around and absorbing, like a "sponge" what the city has to offer. Surrounded by a lake, we went for a peddle boat ride and chilled out at various cafes relaxing and eating and buying water from a guy who owns a small shop next to our hotel. We also said Good-bye to our driver, Bharat. Thank God! He means well but has much to learn.

Mumbai has been great so far. Reminded Izabela a lot of Paris with the wide streets, turn-abouts and tree-lined sidewalks. A lot of taxis, but we prefer to take the bus around since it only costs 15 cents each for three zones. Vancouver is so over-priced.

We have yet to find another lassi like the one we found in Jodhpur, so we're hoping to find something extra special down south. Kris is ready to shave his head for the beach, and Izabela can't wait to show a little skin. As one 'dude' from Goa told us today, "Goa isn't India." Whatever that means. We leave tomorrow morning on the Goa train and our first stop might be Anjuna. We hope it's not still -10C cause it's so nice here...ha ha! Love you lots and talk to you later,

Kris and Izabela

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Photos

Udaipur
100 Rupees per kilo to get your dirty clothes cleaned at the ever-so-clean local bathing ghats.

new pants
Nice pants. Kris wasn't allowed to show off his new speedo in the Jain temple.

pillars
Pillar, pillar, pillar, pillar.....elephant, pillar, pillar....

vendor
The guy who sold us the cheapest bottles of water and gave us free chai.

Mumbai
Mumbai's sea wall with a local. I guess Bella was taking all the pics back then. She was around though.