The YMCA International House served a typical Indian breakfast which we savoured, especially the hot coffee that the waiter attentively poured for us. At 1000 hrs, Amin picked us up at the YMCA IH. Amin had received a bedkit many years ago when he was a homeless street child in Mumbai. Today he runs an orphanage in Mumbai and has paid for the schooling of seven street children in private schools here. He has written a book about his life as a street child and how he raised himself out of poverty. He is hoping to have the book published shortly in Paris and use the proceeds to fulfil a dreaming of his to open a coffee shop library called, “Bombay to Barcelona Coffee Shop.”
Amin drove us to the centre of Mumbai, or Bombay as he likes to still refer to it. He told us about the history of the city and proudly stated that this is one city whether all religions and people get along in relative harmony. He took us to the Mahatma Ghandi House Museum after driving through the Katami Pura district. The museum is a superb tribute to one of the world’s great statesmen. The way it was laid out allowed visitors to learn about his life and contributions to India quickly. On the way out, some tourists were almost struck by coconuts that city crews were cutting down from the trees in front of the museum.
From there, Amin took us to Victoria Station, one of the busiest train stations in Mumbai and India. It was amazing to see each train discharge its jam-packed passengers with just as many people waiting to board the train that left less than five minutes later. From there we walked to the expansive Crawford’s Market where we witnessed a young worker injure his right foot when he tripped and the handle of the two wheeled, wooden hand cart, that was full to capacity with cases of Nutella, crashed down on his foot. We shuddered to think that he may be out of work without compensation if he cannot pull that cart.
We walked over to the Mandaldas Textile Market where they sold gorgeous materials for ladies dresses and saris. We were also served a very delicious ginger-cardamom tea that was laced with sugar by the chai walla. We then sampled a local delicacy called a vadapau burger from the best street vendor in Mumbai. It was a spicy potato and leek ball served in a burger bun and cost only 12 Rupees ($0.24). What a meal!
That afternoon Amin took us to his old stomping grounds in the Mandalas Hills; which is the home to many of the rich families of Bombay. There we saw the Banganga tank, which was built in the year 1280 and is 135 m long and 52m wide. It is a scared bathing area and is similar to the Ganges River in significance for the Hindus. We learned about the Hindu religion when viewing the many temples that surrounded the Banganga. We also saw dozens of people washing and drying clothes by hand in the many basins there. We also learned how to hang clothes without using clothes pins. Rather, they used twisted ropes and tucked the collars and sleeves in between the ropes. Around the corner we visited the hanging gardens and saw a topiary elephant. We also met a street vendor who was selling gorgeous peacock fans for between 100 and 350 Rupees. She would not take no for answer until someone bought one. Thanks, Marg. We also learned about the Farsi religion and saw the place where their dead go to rest. It was a real education.
In the evening, we had the pleasure of some cab rides through the chaos of the Mumbai traffic; complete with brama bull carts, a goat chasing a man, thousands of horns honking, and people perilously crossing the roads – all without anyone having an accident. We visiteded the Kala Ghoda Festival with its many stalls selling local crafts and the two stages with local dancers and high wire performers. All in all and wonderful way to end our first day in the land of magic.
The 2012 Belgaum Team
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