Western Influences and Indian Uniqueness
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2005
1
5
31
Trip End
Nov 04, 2006
Mumbai,
India
Sunday, December 4, 2005
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but yes, I had to watch Indian Idol. It was all the advertising! For those of you who have watched American Idol, this is the same show, but with Bollywood tunes being belted out. Of course it was in Hindi, but I got the gist of who made it to the next round and who didn't. Advertising for Indian Idol is all over town on the billboards, magazines and newspapers. It seems more hyped up here than it was at home.
While watching Indian Idol, you can call down to your local McDonalds for some free home delivery
A Superlative Promise
. What more could you want, fast food delivered at your door step and TV - sounds like the US, huh? Since we are in India, and cows are sacred, McDonalds does not sell beef products. Instead you can get Aloo Tikka Burgers (spiced potato patty on a bun), or a veg McPizza puff. The French fries are the same, I'm told. In a conversation with a friend, we have learned that McDonalds has had a positive influence on the restaurant industry, in that it is always clean and being cleaned by one of the many employees. The bar was raised for cleanliness and other restaurants stepped up to the plate. Could McDonalds be the reason why we haven't gotten sick from eating out yet? Ok, I'm not ready to admit that one yet. And to answer your question, no we have not eaten at one yet.India has Dominos pizza, Pizza Hut with their "Fresizza" and various local chains. You can order baby corn, paneer (fresh cheese) and tandori flavored pizzas here. So far, we have not been hungry for a pizza - I wouldn't mind a side of beef though!
For Thanksgiving, Mukesh went on a hunt around town for some apple pie for us Americans. And do you know where it found a slice? Pizza Hut! I didn't see any individual apple pieces in there, but they claimed it was good ol' down home apple pie
An Italian Coffee Drinking Experience
.On the subject of desserts, Baskin Robbins is here too. We have not been, but we have been sampling the ice cream at Naturals and Sancha. These are local chains, which have local flavors on their menu - custard apple, chickhoo, and mango to name a few. Gelato still remains my favorite, but to cool down on these hot days, I won't pass up ice cream here.
I am happy to say that Starbucks has not made inroads in India yet. There are two coffee chains, Barista (they give you the Italian coffee drinking experience - see picture) and Café Coffee. They are the local versions of Starbucks, and I'm happy to report they are an enjoyable place to spend some time and enjoy some decent coffee (not like Ristretto Roasters, though). We have been told that one of the reasons why Starbucks is not here is because the prices are too high for what Indians are willing to pay. The two popular coffee hangouts are quite cheap in comparison - an iced mocha latte will run you just under $1. Of course, these don't make up for the numerous chai stands that dot every street in town.
Malls. Stepping into a mall in India is like stepping into a cocoon
Calling Direct...Right from the Phone Box
. You may take an autorickshaw down a dirty, noisy, bumpy street to the local InOrbit mall. You pay the driver, go up the steps towards this enormous structure, as you step through the doors, it is almost like you are stepping out of India. Malls are air conditioned (a nice reprieve from the winter-time's 90 degree weather), clean, away from traffic, and all the merchandise is inside the store, not spilling out on the walkway. In this country of contrasts, the mall is definitely a world apart from the other marketplaces and shops around town. Yes, we do go to the malls, occasionally, and unlike at home, it is an experience that I enjoy. Bollywood is big here. We have not been to a movie theater yet (I've been told people talk on their cell phones during the show), but have watched a classic film on DVD at home. I enjoyed (and Justin hated) the sudden outbursts of song and dance, but I am partial to musicals anyway. I've just bought my first CD of songs from the top fills of 2005! Hollywood does have a presence here too. Everyday, in the Times of India, you can read the full page spread on all the Bollywood and Hollywood stars. I'm learning more about the Hollywood actors than I did when I was at home. Madonna seems to be a fixture on these pages.
Well, despite the presence of these few Western food chains and Hollywood, Mumbai doesn't have the feeling that it has been over run by the West's commercialized view of the world; it resolutely retains its own identity.....
