Hinay-hinay sa Mumbai
Namaste!
It's my fourth day in warm, sunny Mumbai. It is 9:40 AM as I write, but conscious that it's already 12 noon back in Manila (and Singapore, which I left just a few days ago and am missing terribly). In other words, my day has just begun but I know everyone else back home has had lunch.
There hasn't been much time for sightseeing and going around (all the touristy stuff basically). It's been increasingly challenging, too, trying to catch up with new information and a getting used to a different culture. Not so much of a culture shock, though (and this is where I feel being a Filipino's an advantage - I will elaborate soon).
Some initial thoughts, discoveries and realizations...
It went something like this...
A pandemonium of cars and people on the street. Sidewalk vendors pushing and shoving their wares in my face. Me trying to be inconspicuous but to no avail as I am unfortunately fairer than most of the locals. Trying to keep as close as possible to the sidewalk and stalls, drowning in a blur of glittering shawls, beads and bangles and the insistent call of "Madame... Madame..."
Then, lots of forceful pushing and a mad, MAD scramble of bodies to the other side of the road. Before I can digest the chaos before me, an MMDA-like cop on a motorcycle appears out of nowhere, fishing out illegal sidewalk peddlers from the pavement.
Suffice it to say I was fazed and traumatized. Much as I'd like to return for the shawls and bangles... I might just pass.
Just crazy!
It's my fourth day in warm, sunny Mumbai. It is 9:40 AM as I write, but conscious that it's already 12 noon back in Manila (and Singapore, which I left just a few days ago and am missing terribly). In other words, my day has just begun but I know everyone else back home has had lunch.
There hasn't been much time for sightseeing and going around (all the touristy stuff basically). It's been increasingly challenging, too, trying to catch up with new information and a getting used to a different culture. Not so much of a culture shock, though (and this is where I feel being a Filipino's an advantage - I will elaborate soon).
Some initial thoughts, discoveries and realizations...
- Things are way better than I expected (which is also to say, it doesn't really stink)
- There's so much more to eat aside from curry; although most of the food is spice-y
- The people are friendly but more aggressive and outspoken compared to most Asians
- Fortunately, a lot of Indians can speak English
- I'm glad I've an adventurous taste and fond of curry!
It went something like this...
A pandemonium of cars and people on the street. Sidewalk vendors pushing and shoving their wares in my face. Me trying to be inconspicuous but to no avail as I am unfortunately fairer than most of the locals. Trying to keep as close as possible to the sidewalk and stalls, drowning in a blur of glittering shawls, beads and bangles and the insistent call of "Madame... Madame..."
Then, lots of forceful pushing and a mad, MAD scramble of bodies to the other side of the road. Before I can digest the chaos before me, an MMDA-like cop on a motorcycle appears out of nowhere, fishing out illegal sidewalk peddlers from the pavement.
Suffice it to say I was fazed and traumatized. Much as I'd like to return for the shawls and bangles... I might just pass.
Just crazy!