Mumbai - Day 1
Trip Start
Jan 31, 2008
1
17
251
Trip End
Ongoing
Mumbai (Bombay),
India
Sunday, February 24, 2008
After I'd checked in, I went for a wonder, visited the gateway of India which is Mumbai's own honey coloured Arc de Triomphe. Then went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum, try saying that after a couple of beers. Some beautiful artifacts in a Raj era building. A lot of the collection is owned by the famous Tata family. There're Gainbough's and Rubens paintings and lots of ancient Indian collections, well worth a visit.
I thought the poverty in Africa was bad but India seems to be at another level. Lots of street kids poking at your pockets and young girls asking for money to feed their kids, I gave money to many people but where do you stop. There is a massive gap between rich and poor, you see rich kids in designer gear then you see street kids wondering around with no shoes. Also you see men walking around holding hands and being affectionate in the street, these guys aren't gay but apparently this is what good male friends do in Mumbai.
After a short sleep I thought I'd sample Mumbai's nightlife, went to a sports bar and watched the Carling cup final with a group of fanatical Indian football fans. Wherever you go in the world there is always English football on the TV, you can't get away from it.
The plan for tomorrow is to visit Elephanta Island, which is an hour-long ferry ride from the gateway of India. There are beautiful and massive cave temples excavated and carved in the 7th and 8th century, should be a good day out.
Comments
not gay men
Christos! Not sure I'd fall for that one. Still there sound like there's lots of kids, so they must be doing something normally. Best wishes. Stu in Lymm.