Mumbai

To give you a little overview, here is our trip up north:

1. Drop off Joanna in Mumbai and explore a bit

2.  28 hour train ride to Delhi for 4 days

3. Agra, 1st attempt to see the Taj

4. Varanasi..wow, talk about life and death being displayed

5.  Darjeeling and the beautiful Himalayas!

6. Calcutta, the home of the best flower market in the world

7. Bodhgaya, the origin of Buddhism

8. Agra, round 2

9. Delhi for a day and a half

10.  the farm!

 

So that’s a lot.  We’ll break it down and start with Mumbai.  Our time with Joanna was to end, very unfortunately.  Her visit was a breath of love, joy, family, and sheer excitement.  I can’t describe the feeling I had picking her up the first time we went to Mumbai, just thinking about it makes me tear up and my heart bounces.  I just really, really love my sister.  I think she is the best thing since whole wheat bread.  That said, we had a great time hanging out and seeing small glimpses of India (more about that later) but then we had to drop her off at the airport, which was a bizarre experience in itself.  I tried to remind myself I would see her shortly in less than two months.  It helped control tears until at least she walked away to check in.  Anyway, we explored Mumbai together and then without her the next day.  Here is an overview:

We took a boat ride out to Elephante Island, leaving from the Gateway of India.  First picture is of the three of us on the boat, second is gateway to India, and third is an attempt at an artsy photo of the boat’s arrival. 

 

Elephante Island has these big caves, but it was a little late to see them and make the 250 Rs worth it, so we decided to take a path less used and hike around the other side.  It was much quieter, away from the CRAZY, hungry monkeys and almost as bad tourists.  There was a sweet tree that was growing out of a vertical brick wall.  Next to that was a sweet view of Mumbai and huge canons…not entirely sure why.  On that way down from the mountain, we all bought corn.  There were cows and dogs everywhere.  The cows were slightly smaller than the ones in Pune which was a benefit because as soon as they saw we had food they eyed us up and starting trotting with steam in our direction.  Joanna quickly tossed her mostly eaten corn in a wild direction.  I tried to hop, skip, run away from them.  Mike played it cool and walked by.  Then the cow trotted up behind him and headed him in the butt.  Joanna and I laughed and ran a little faster, as the startled Mike started picking up his pace.  It was classic.  The dogs tried a different method and followed us the whole way to the boat with huge puppy eyes. 

 

 

On the way back the entire boat seemed to think it was a good idea to feed the sea gulls.  No, it’s not a good idea.  Nor is it a good idea to throw all the trash out of the boat into the water, no wonder it was disgusting.  Sea Gulls swarmed the boat in masses and made Joanna have a near freak out.  You’d never know it, but she hates birds.  The sunset was worth every penny of the boat ride. 

When we picked up Joanna we went on a little walking tour of Mumbai:

                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CST (main train station in Mumbai) that we arrived at from Pune.  When we arrived to India in September, this is where we narrowly caught our train to Pune.  It is also the location of some of the scenes in Slumdog Millionaire.  It’s pretty sweet. 

The High Court and Mumbai University.  Both beautiful buildings:

The Taj Hotel by India Gate, one of the fanciest hotels we’ve seen in India.  India Gate and Starfruit which we tried when we looking at Gateway of India.  They are fun looking but taste awful, even with chili powder on them. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally a cool modge podge of tiles that were surrounded by hedge and Sassoon Library where I finally convinced the librarian to let us look at it, even as nonmembers. 

 

 

The day after Joanna left we walked around a different part of Mumbai.  It was a holiday that day, one of the best festivals possible:  the Kite festival.  It’s supposed to represent something in the Hindu religion but all the locals could get across to us is that everyone flies kites.  I’m down.  We went to a market and then to Chowpatty Beach where there were more kites than I could have ever imagined!  

This was an alley market we stumbled upon that was magnificent.  Greatly displayed veggies and lots of kites for sale. 

 

   

Above is Chowpatty Beach where multiple people wanted to show us how to properly fly a kite.  They let us use their kites and were so incredibly helpful and excited to teach us.  We were afraid at first they were going to ask for money, but they just wanted to celebrate the holiday and help us too.  It was great and made us feel welcome.  How can anyone not feel joyful when they are flying a kite and surrounded by kites?  The skyline was always peppered with kites throughout the day.  Kids were flying them from everywhere and anywhere, roofs, alleys, middle of streets, you name it.