Mumbai with a walking-talking lonely planet
Today was the first day Sachi joined us after her arrival from the States. And I have to admit that it was different to see Mumbai with a mumbai- ite. It was much much better than going by yourself. By Sachi arriving back in India I now have a walking-talking lonely planet?
I didn’t know that much about the people. I didn’t understand their body language if they are mad or happy and trust me no matter how much you have read about India and its traditions, when you are actually here it is totally different and there are so many minute details that one can feel lost in the beginning. But soon you will find yourself melting in smoothly and enjoying all the traditions and habits you encounter.
FAB INDIA - Buying an Indian attire!
Sachi took us Kurta shopping and I bought two bright kurtas. Kurta is very similar to a short Galabeiah but shorter and fitted. I tried to be open and buy brighter colours then the one I usually wear. It was very hard to go shopping to buy an outfit that I had no clue about. So many different styles and cuts and I had no clue of what it is suppose to look. There were these pants called ‘Chudidaar’ with really narrow bottoms.. First when I tried, I thought I need a bigger size but with Sachi’s help I figured out how it is supposed to be worn. I felt like a tourist in this big ‘Fab India’ store.
HAJI ALI !
Haji Ali is a very famous Shia Indian Mosque. The Mosque was very different from any mosque I have seen in Egypt.. I really like the pieces of cloth that were hanging. The mosque is in the middle of the sea and there is a narrow pathway leading to it. The pathways is full of poor people of all ages begging on both sides. People with cut arms and wounded legs, healthy and weak, old and kids.. I did not like the sight of it, I did not like seeing how they were fighting for a begging spot..
While walking on the pathway, Hindus were immersing the Ganesh on the sides.. Knowing the history of episodes between the Hindus and the Muslims in India, It felt like it was a new message been given out for peace and religious brotherhood.
The great Indian Food
For the first time since we got here we ate the Indian food with Sachi. The food was not spicy but it was so colourful.. They have colours on their plates like they have colours on their clothes. . I wonder if they really appreciate and respect the colourful life so much? by the way the coke in India is SPICY too !
Acquiring and Indian Sim Card
Phew! This was one hell of a task… Sachi got me a Sim card but to get it activated was another big saga ! Indians adore their Indian English accent which is super hard to understand ! I tried talking to the customer service to activate my Indian telephone service.. but I found myself on the phone speaking in english with all the different signs and gestures I could use, as if I was talking with the customer care executive face to face. And of course, I had to just give up and put down the phone ! I will let Sachi deal with this !!
That’s it for the day.
- 29th Aug 2009
Dina
