Everything's New!

I know we say that NYC is the city that doesn't sleep...but I have to say Mumbai is a pretty happening place as well! It's 10:20 pm and there are still cars, autorickshaws, people, hawkers bustling around. I moved up to Bandra last Friday and have spent the last few days getting the flat in order. I finally bought some things for the place and now I have a working kitchen! In fact, today I cooked my very first meal (Filipinos be happy...) - ADOBO! Yum yum good. Also today, the carpenters, electricians and plumbers finally finished all their work and I was able to give my place a full, deep cleaning. This shows how OCD and germaphobic I really am! Lysol everywhere the eye can see! I just can't seem to keep the outside out here! Although I have a door, I use a curtain as my actual "door" when I'm inside. It's just too hot without everything open. I take cold showers everyday. Mainly because hot water has to be heated in this mini-boiler inside the bathroom powered by electricity. It worries me a bit that the outlet is so close to me...I hope I don't fry myself in the process!

Everyone is REALLY nice here! I've met many locals in my area and they're so quick to share their lives, home and time with me. My next door neighbor constantly sends dinner over via their 11-year old daughter. I've become quite good friends with her. Today we had our first English lesson where she read from her book and I helped with pronunciation and definitions. She's so chipper, sweet and absolutely adorable. She's my official translator here in my building complex. I don't how many times people come to my door and speak in their native tongue. All I can do is smile and gesture "I have absolutely no idea." Also it works out because no one speaks to her in English (except sometimes her brother), so she's eager to have looong conversations with me. My little cousins have given me great practice in keeping little ones entertained.

Indians ask LOTS of questions...and no question is off limits. They don't ask in a malicious way, but in a let's get down to the important facts of life way. Without fail, one of the first few questions I get asked is, "Do you have a husband?" I chuckle and say "no, not my time yet." I've seen that people do marry quite young here and have children much much sooner.

Many of you have been asking how the food is. Well, it's YUMMILICOUS! There is much more of a Western influence here in Bandra - so the food is a hybrid of Indian, American and European. Every chance I get to go to an Indian restaurant, I definitely pick my waiters brain on all the dishes. I'm sure by the time I leave I'll be able to decipher the Indian menu! There are so many different types of curries and spices. My palette is getting accustomed to the heat and chillies are slowly making their way (though very slowly and in tiny tiny amounts) into my food. I still emphasize the "NO SPICE" request at restaurants. I don't want a repeat of chomping down to a chilli disguished as a string bean. My face literally fell off. Also, it's customary to eat with one's hands. Watching local eat rice, curry and gracy with their hands is quite amazing. One person I met here said, "If I don't eat with my hands, my stomach doesn't feel full." I stick to at least one utensil...my rice in hands method isn't advanced enough to make it to my mouth with making a complete mess.

Also now, we're preparing for all the Christmas activities. I've got to bring my acappella pitch skills out from the back closet as we're thinking of doing some songs together. I left my "bling bling" (my old acappella group's name for our pitch pipe) back home! What would I do without it!!! I recommended to bake gingerbread cookies and have decorating stations at the party...and then I got these funny looks, "what's a gingerbread house...we don't have that here." It's funny to see the things that are norm and things that are strange here. For example, I said we could have fake snow everywhere and make it snow from the ceiling. I got a laugh from the group...what's fake snow? We don't have snow here..."I'm dreaming of a white Christmas means nothing to us here." Haha, I LOVE IT!

I'm learning all the curvy and crazy streets here in Bandra. It takes days just to get orientated! The streets have their map names and then their actual names that locals use. The first night I took a rickshaw back to my place, I got SO lost! I kept passing by shops that I recognized; however, I had no idea how to navigate back home. Soon enough I'll be able to!

That's all the updates for now...have to hope out of this cyber station and head back home. Miss you all so much and thanks so much for your notes and emails! I feel the love :)

Carolina

Mumbai Mumbai Mumbai!

I've finally made it! Both my flights were late, but thankfully I made a friend (from my flight who was super helpful and entertaining. Right from the beginning, I've experienced the kindness and friendliness of Indians. For example, I asked an older lady for directions and she literally held my hand and walked with me for about 10 -15 minutes until we parted ways.

Mumbai is a VERY busy city. It's like New York + Hong Kong + Manila times 100. Traffic and people everywhere. It's a little overwhelming to say the least. I'm sure I'll get used to it soon enough. For now, I just walk very slowly and take my time crossing the streets. Jay walking here is pretty scary. First of all, I keep forgetting to look the opposite direction from what I'm accustomed. Second, there's no sense of traffic laws as cars, motocycles, autorickshaws, buses weave in and out like there's no tomorrow. Two days ago while on the high way, I saw two cars drive on the wrong side of the road against traffic just to go by faster! SCARY. There wasn't a divider and we were definitely going 50 mph or more. One of the locals told me that it was a typical practice. Oh my, the drivers here have nerves of titanium!

And yes, it's really HOT! It doesn't feel quite like November or winter here. More like a sizzling summer day. I'll be nice and tan when I return!

The streets are very colorful and are lined with street vendors selling literally everything - sarees, sandals, purses, watches, cellphone cases, placemats, books, nuts, fruit drinks, jewlery and underwear. I thank Grandma for teaching me how to haggle - I'll be sure to make use of my bargaining skills. Though looking like a foreigner doesn't quite help... Maybe my stern face will do it. Or it might just crack them up! Vendors are very aggressive and persistent here. Slowly, I'm mastering the hand wave and head shake that I've seen Shefali (P. Kevin and Lynette's eldest daughter) do to firmly decline their offers.

Right now I'm staying at the YMCA. It's nice and neat - double beds, desk and attached shower. Interesting difference here - the shower stalls aren't separate from the sink and toilet. It's just one room with everything together.

Yesterday, P. Kevin and Lynette took me to check out some apartments in Bandra - the new, happening place. Apparently, this is where all the movie stars live (granted in really big mansions facing the Arabian sea and not in the densly packed zig zag streets further in)! There are also lots of ex-pats here and with that comes more Westernized shops and eateries. However, the standard for grocery shopping is much like Chinatown's wet markets and fresh fruits/veggies stands. Again, thank you Grandma for teaching me how to navigate through.

That's all for now - hopefully I'll get my own internet settled soon after I move into a more permanent place. Hope to hear from you!

Love,
Carolina