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Published: January 13th 2007
by the way, we often update previous entries so do flick back through for any new stuff. Tom speaking: Pulled into Mumbai Tulak station at 6:30am, mobbed by the usual gang of taxi drivers. Anyway got one into Colaba (seemed overpriced at Rs 700, but he did use the meter and I cross-checked the conversion chart...?!). Rocked up at Leopold's, which is very much the traveller's bar/eatery of choice in Colaba and had a couple of coffees. Thought fleetingly about blowing the budget and staying in the Taj Mahal hotel (www.tajhotels.com). Anyway got to the reception and the room tariff list soon put a stop to that (>200 quid/night!).
After looking at a couple of shitholes down the Strand (justifying their room rates purely on the basis of harbour view and nothing else), we compromised with an Arab-run joint called Gulf Hotel. Not great but you don't get too much for your money here...
Checked out Gandhi's old house/museum in the afternoon which was interesting - made us want to read up a bit more (maybe I could just watch the film?). Surprisingly, ended up at the cinema in the evening seeing 'Blood Diamond'. Pretty good.
Give me coffee!
A bit spaced after the train ride...They play the Indian national anthem before the film starts to stand is obligatory I think) and have an interval.
Today, checked out the main museum (formerly known as Prince of Wales museum) in the day and then bussed up to Chowpatty beach for some stall-snacks in the evening. Finally got my fix of Pani Puri which I've been hankering after for a while.
Bry speaking: Not sure what I make of Mumbai... from our visit to the Ghandi Museum I'd say he'd be pretty disappointed. The poverty is palpable in parts and I'm totally torn as to what to do on the begging front. I know we're not meant to 'encourage' it but I have to say it is pretty bloody tough. Waiting at the train station yesterday before heading up a couple of stops to the Museum a boy of no more than four seemed to have sole charge of a six month-ish baby boy. He was swapping between hitting him, giving him bits of rock to play with and feeding him rubbish from the floor. Now, whilst I'm sure there are some fakes and some who spend any money they get given on alcohol or
wehatever, I can't believe this scene is brought about by anything pother than absolute necessity. The urge to simply take these children home is huge, but I don't think I have room for all few million of them. More on this in my summing up I think....
This scene is in direct contrast to a campaign The Indian Times seem to be running on TV, at the Cinema and on billboards. The 'India is poised' campaign seems to be heralding the cusp of a new and prosperous century in which India will lead the world... I just hope all Indians see some of the spoils! Also had a coffee in what appears to be the local trendy hangout. Girls conspicously smoking, a bit like a teenage party scene when people are just pushing the boundaries and flirting like mad!
Looking forward to Hong Kong, mostly a hot bath!!
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Edward Shaw
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Mumbai
Having visited a few times myself I wonder if the rest of the world will get to be like Mumbai. I usually loose my temper at some point every time I visit. The Spice Market is the best in India...