Goa to Mumbai to Ahmedabad

Well I've made it through Mumbai and to Ahmedabad. Somehow. Sheeeeeesh.

First my train story from Goa to Mumbai. I basically had a sleepover with five Indian men. Fun.

I purchased my ticket on the internet and it was 'waitlisted'. So when I first got on the train (luckily these two young guys totally helped me. They found my cabin and let me sit with them until the ticket checker came by. They spoke to him in Hindi for me to see if I actually had a seat)...but the ticket checker said "No we're totally full". Then he told me my ticket had been cancelled..aaahhh I was already on the train so was thinking I'm going to be booted off somewhere between Goa and Mumbai. But lo and behold, the ticket checkers name was Ganesh and I began to pray to the elephant God, and they found my name on the list. Phew. Angels working all over this crazy land.

However, my bed was in a small cabin with five Indian men. How fun is that? They were all eating curry dishes and snoring. In India it's not uncommon or even considered abnormal to release gas, as loudly as possible. I will tell you I got very little sleep, but arrived safely.

But of course, I got off on the wrong train station. My hotel was supposed to be a '1 minute walk' from the Mumbai CST and I got off across the city. So after four days and no shower, having a sleepover with five Indian men and barely any sleep, I was hassled in the dark streets of Mumbai at 6 a.m. "Want a beer miss, oh missssss, you look like you need a whiskey" "Taxi taxi taxi get in my taaaaaaaaaaxii". Only the usual. I made a smart decision, used the pre-paid taxis and eventually found my way to my hotel. Which was another story, but enough of those.

Mumbai was an exciting city. It is home to the rich of the rich and poor of the poor. My quick trip involved a visit to the Mumbai Central Library (had to), the Gateway of India, taking a ferry ride over to Elephanta Island to see the caves there dedicated to Lord Shiva, and then to Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest open air laundromat.

More in pictures...

Leaving the Gateway of India on the ferry.

The Elephanta Caves

There are many Hindu legends which I've come to know and love. I will definitely post specific to this when I'm home. Some of my favourite stories include Krishna, the God of Love - or how Ganesh came to be the most worshipped God. There is a holy trinity of Gods that make up Hinduism. Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. They each have specific women and animal consorts. More later...

The majestic ships on the waters of Mumbai

Colourful Dhobi Ghat

which turned into a massive photoshoot. This is
one photo of twenty where they wore my sunglasses
and fought over my camera. 

Mumbai Central Library. Love.

I obviously feel as if I'm not doing Mumbai justice by writing much about the city, but I'm really strapped for time as I have a wedding to attend!

I will say it was a beautiful, metropolitan city that smelled like fish. It was clean and glamourous and in other areas horribly dirty. There were black and yellow taxis everywhere and the people were so friendly. I promise more stories later.

As for the wedding, we had a sneak preview last night at the engagement reception and it was COLOURFUL.

The beautiful bride & groom

My lovely date Jimena & I at the
engagement with Tula & Megha

The gracious hosts, another client from Australia & us

Tuesday we will visit Gandhi's ashram and the Openxcell office. Wednesday I shop my last bazaars in Delhi and Thursday I arrive home in Calgary after 18 hours of flights and gaining half a day. I can't believe it's almost time to leave this magical land, but there is so much life to live when I arrive home in one of the most wonderful countries in the world!

Pictures of the wedding today to come once I'm home. I have a sari to get into!