To throw out my last very tired post I will have to say that my last day in Bombay was (one more time) AMAZING. I am sad that my time here is over but I know that it was only a taste. I have to come back to Bombay because there is so much more to experience here.
Today was a special Hindu celebration called “raksha bandhan.” It is a celebration of brothers and sisters. The sisters buy these little red bracelets and tie them to their brothers wrist in return the brother will buy his sister a small gift in appreciation. The exchange of these things symbolizes that the brother will forever protect his sister.
I think it’s a beautiful concept. The six boys on our trip were fortunate to receive at least two new sisters today. We woke up a little early so we could all join in the ceremonial exchange.
After this I went out on an emergency shopping run to Crawford Market because I realized that I needed another bag to pack the extra stuff that somehow magically appeared and now no longer fit into my luggage.
This was a mistake. The market was hot, very crowded, and is probably the smelliest place that I have been to in all of Bombay. Every health code violation that you can imagine in the US is being broken at this bazaar, which seems to sell everything (and probably does). One second you’re buying cheap bangles and jewelry and right around the next corner you’re in a fruit market purchasing mangos and just a few feet away is all the home or electronic needs imaginable.
After this hot and sticky run to the market, where I probably overpaid (by India standards) for a decent Diesel bag we ventured back to the hotel and pigged out at the buffet. And it was well worth it.
After resting, rejuvenating and packing, a few of us decided to trek back out into the city. I ended up buying the most delicious grilled corn I have ever had from a street vendor which cost me only 30 rupees (less than a dollar) and then we headed to the Taj Hotel to bask in the luxurious India that so many of its own citizens will never experience.
Upon leaving, Lauren and I were not yet ready to head back to the West End Hotel (because it was our last night) so we walked along marine drive for a bit.
Along Marine Drive there are these funny looking horse carriage rides (some nicer than others). We decided to see how much and in correct India fashion we had to haggle our price with not one but three different carriages:
“450 long ride!”
“450! We don’t want the long ride. How much short ride?”
“300.”
“how ‘bout 250?”
“no 250 too low”
And just as we were starting to get disappointed that we would be overcharged the third carriage driver yells out, “I take all four of you 200 rupees! Short ride!”
“Alright! 200!”
As we climbed on we could hear the other drivers arguing about what went wrong.
I was rooting for that guy anyway because his carriage had fun party neon lights on it. So we went on the short ride for two hundred rupees laughing the whole way because of how ridiculous we probably looked and took tons of pictures.
The ride only lasted 5 minutes and didn’t even go in a full circle. 200 rupees is about 4 bucks so between the four of us I think its okay that we put out the extra cash for getting swindled. An Indian native would NEVER pay that much for anything.
One thing about Bombay is that it does a really good job of providing escapes from all of the desolate conditions. Just like the Bollywood cinema movie days that families all over India enjoy this carriage ride is a sort of escape. You would think that something like this wouldn’t get much business except for silly western tourists but as we rode along we passed many Bombayiites along the way; whole families.
And I understood because those short five minutes was a moment that I can remember for a lifetime as my last night in Bombay, and you really do forget that the air is musty smelling and thick with smog.
Once again it was back to the hotel.
“Bombay Hospital, New Marine Lines, West End Hotel, meter, we want meter!”
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