Most days I am perfectly happy living here in Mumbai. I love my job and opportunities here. For the most part I have adapted the craziness of Mumbai. I ride to school in a rickshaw every morning and evening and I am usually with someone so it isn't so bad. It's when I am riding home from school that is the hardest. First of all I have to walk to this busy street by my school and try to find a rickshaw willing to take me to Bandra West. Today it took me three tries to find one that would take me at the meter rate and not charge me extra. Rickshaws are 3 wheeled vehicles with no sides
Which means that you get the full force of the smelliness of Mumbai. When they stop at signal lights (which is rare, but there are a few places where they do stop at lights) beggars reach in and touch you. Yesterday I rode home by myself and it's hard not to think - "what am I doing here?" It smelled horrible, vehicles were passing within inches of us, my driver was swerving all over, drivers of other rickshaws are spitting constantly and they are so close I'm always afraid the spit is going to land on me (it has happened once) and beggars grab at me. This woman with a baby harassed me the whole time I was stopped at this light. My friend has a car and she carries small packages of crackers to hand out to beggars, but I don't have a place to put them. I always feel bad about not giving anything even though I know it isn't practical. Today I had to go home by myself again. so I put a few rupees in my hand ready to pass them out at the light. The same woman with the baby came up to me. I gave her a coin and she still grabbed at me and begged for more. I handed out coins to a few others. That is going to be my strategy from now on I think.
it is Ganpati this week. Here is a very short version of the celebration of Ganesh's birth. According to the popular belief, Lord Ganesha descends on the earth on Ganesh Chaturthi to stay with his devotees for the course of ten days and clear all their obstacles. In return devotees pamper their beloved Lord Ganesha as an honoured guest and prepare his favourite sweets – modaks.
Here is a link to more information Ganpati What it boils down to is families have a Ganesh that they march down to the Sea. It involves lots of drumming and dancing. It is pretty cool to see even though it blocks streets etc. I am going with some friends to a village about 100km outside of Mumbai to view a Ganesha celebration up close and personal. Should be really interesting. Christians are against idols, but here, they are the norm. The people love their Ganeshas and are really proud of them and lovingly parade them to the sea. Hopefully I will have some great pictures next week.
it is Ganpati this week. Here is a very short version of the celebration of Ganesh's birth. According to the popular belief, Lord Ganesha descends on the earth on Ganesh Chaturthi to stay with his devotees for the course of ten days and clear all their obstacles. In return devotees pamper their beloved Lord Ganesha as an honoured guest and prepare his favourite sweets – modaks.
Here is a link to more information Ganpati What it boils down to is families have a Ganesh that they march down to the Sea. It involves lots of drumming and dancing. It is pretty cool to see even though it blocks streets etc. I am going with some friends to a village about 100km outside of Mumbai to view a Ganesha celebration up close and personal. Should be really interesting. Christians are against idols, but here, they are the norm. The people love their Ganeshas and are really proud of them and lovingly parade them to the sea. Hopefully I will have some great pictures next week.
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