Mumbai Part 1!

So it would seem that my mother was incorrect and I already posted about Thailand and Malaysia hahaha. I’ll just give a quick update so that I don’t have to write another 2 page entry about our endeavors 2 months from now: We left Delhi a couple days ago, saying goodbye to my cousin Shivli and boarded a Rajdhani express train from Delhi to Mumbai. The train was “3AC” class, which was a considerable upgrade from the “sleeper class” train we took from Bangalore to Ranchi (36 hours). Our compartment mates were all body guards for the prime minister, and they brandished their guns as they left them out overnight as we slept. Needless to say, our possessions were safe unlike our previous transit to Nepal where our cellphone, my sandals, and my wallet were stolen. I’m only really bummed about losing my library card and student ID since I didn’t have that much money on me and cancelled all my credit cards. Mumbai is an incredibly beautiful city! We’ve only seen the glitzy glammy non-slumdog millionaire side of it as we’ve strolled around the downtown area shopping at trendy boutiques and eaten gourmet food. Planning to stay for 2 weeks, we bought a TimeOut Mumbai, and since then have a calendar of cultural and social events we will attend in the coming time. For example, in 20 minutes we have a Jazz/Bollywood Dance class that we are demo-ing. Last night in Mocha, and trendy coffee shop/bar/hookah place, we met a group of swanky Indians who promised us free entry in some of Mumbai’s swish-iest clubs. Compared to hiking everyday and staying in grungy guesthouses in Nepal, this is a 180 degree change of pace. I don’t know which one I prefer, cities get to me with their crowds, pollution, and touts, but Mumbai seems to been aired out by the sea air of the congestion that Delhi exudes. Well looks like we’ll be late if I don’t post this and go!
Fir Milinge!
Nam* (Namstar, my Mumbai alias)