Bombay/Mumbai: Day 1

First steps out of the hotel, which for some reason was not familiar to many locals :( The four-star hotel faces the Arabian Sea, almost invariably covered in smog.




More views of the beautiful promenade - Chowpathy.


I did ask his permission before taking a picture. He just smiled.



Around Bombay University so many people stopped by and warned me that this is a security building, no pictures - the claim that I heard everywhere in Bombay. A quick reply "no money" normally got rid of these people.




In a strangely named Horniman Circle (maintained with the Tata money, as most of Bombay), I sat near the sleeping man who after 3 or so minutes, got up, yawned, scratched, moved to a different edge of the bench and fell asleep. Dolce far niente....





On the streets of Bombay one can meet everything!



Around one of the very few touristy things in Bombay - the Gateway of India, where dozens of "agents" try to sell you tickets to Elephanta Island standard, deluxe or super deluxe, the only difference would be the price and your gullibility. The boats are all the same.



The Elephanta Island, where the Portuguese soldiers saw the statue of the elephant, is another tourist attraction. It takes an hour on the boat and constant haggling by the vendors to get to the caves. You can't photograph most of it as whoever can speak asks for money. That is why you see a picture of monkey, boats, dogs, and me.



Glimpses of extreme poverty and abandonment.


The absolute highlight of the trip - FOOD! Glorious, delicious, vegetarian - all spices freshly ground, all prepared by innumerable people in the kitchen. Amazing! I am in love.

Photos by Valera Meylis