I think i'm in love....

… with Mumbai of course!! I probably startled you for a second I know haha. Don’t worry I’ll make my own bollywood movie but it may be more of a comedy .. stay tuned for that…
We just got back from Mumbai and we had an absolutely wonderful time. It was nice to finally speak in a language I knew (and no I don’t mean English) and be able to communicate with people without tripping over my own words. The other great thing about Mumbai was Air Conditioning, hot showers and NO RICE!! I finally had my first HOT shower since I arrived in Mumbai and Air Conditioning didn’t exist unless we were in the mall or a special car with air conditioning. I have to say I’ve learned to appreciate the finer things in life- thank god for a geezer (hot water heater) and air conditioners and oh not to forget Cable television!! I was DEFINITELY a happy camper this past weekend!
It’s almost like night and day when it comes to culture in Kerala and Mumbai. Kerala is extremely conservative (at least where we live) and it was interesting to see the difference when we got to Mumbai. We definitely stuck out the day we wore a Punjabi (Indian pant suit- for the non Indians) in Mumbai where as when we’re in Cochin we stick out any way it is but less so if we wear the traditional garb. We hung out at the local Coffee Shop and observed everyone around and noticed that we didn’t look like we weren’t from India - in fact I think people would have guessed we’re not from there because we were in Indian clothes. Oh and of course no one stared at us which was nice to not feel like you’re constantly on state; I think it has partly to do with the vast amount of business travelers and the metropolitan nature of Mumbai that has changed the culture so much. Nevertheless I shall go on.
We flew out on Wednesday and started out by having an absolutely wonderful lunch which consisted of Bhel (gujurati dish) at Shachi’s aunt’s house and sithaphal ice cream (which we were very lucky to have because it wasn’t quite the season for it yet). I have to say she is probably one of the best cooks I know; we were thinking about paying for her to fly down and cook for us in Cochin but I think that’s definitely a no go. We then went to a school for mentally handicapped children where Shachi initially started writing a Grant for to get these children more funding for the wonderful things they were doing. These are mentally handicapped adults in an activities center where they make cards, handicrafts, etc. and sell them and are able to keep the profits; it’s a very innovative idea in my opinion to give those that have such creative minds the ability to share it with others. Beware you WILL receive an email from me with the website of where you can buy this stuff. We spent about two days at the school, went to the movies (where they sing the national anthem before every movie- totally unexpected but really cool) and awaited the arrival of Andy, Jessica and Jeremy. For those of you who haven’t watched ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ should definitely go watch it- a little different from the usual movies but it was still pretty good- my favorite song PAPPU CAN’T DANCE!! Lolol you’ll know what I’m talking about when you watch it. When the other folks arrived we had tons of food prepared by Shachi’s aunt- from corn bhel to dhai puri to bhel to ragda paties ( I probably spelt them all wrong but you get the point- there was A LOT of food). So much food and so little stomachs to go around.
Our Mumbai trip consisted of Juhu Beach, hanging out at multiple hotels when it was too hot to sit outside, and shopping (let just say Ashika dropped a good chunk of change- I think I definitely inflated the Indian Stock Market for those couple days). But we couldn’t leave Mumbai with a good night on the town. My friend Ankil (which some may know- sorry ankil I aced you out on this) introduced me to his friend Anand (sorry to ace you out :)) and well through the Indian connection we had a chauffeur for the entire night! He suggested a place called Japengo (which I thought was Topango the whole time until we got there- this is why I should get a better cell phone I know) and it was great. Dinner consisted of Sushi, pizza and pasta, all different for all of us but it was a nice change. Anand then proceeded to take us bar/club hopping around the city and bar hopping is definitely what we did. We first went to Indigo which is a REALLY nice place, where stars like Sharukh Khan are known to be seen and don’t fret I got a peek of my own super star and former Miss Universe, Lara Dutta, thanks to Anand’s friends who spotted here while eating dinner there. We then proceeded to get some dancing in at a place called Bootleggers where everyone was playing Jenga, connect four and various other games, and the DJ even gave in and played shachi’s request for Kanye West!

When that closed at 1 we then proceeded to a club called Poly Ester- random I know LOL. We taught Jessica the light bulb dance and we danced the night away. We met lots of really cool people- it’s a totally different experience from the last time I went, people were extremely nice and totally accommodating. Then we decided we still weren’t done with the night so we packed into a car and preceded to hookah! Yes as you can imagine by the time we got home it was 5am and mind you we left the house at 8:30pm to start the night. All in all we had a pretty awesome time so KUDOS to Anand… the poor guy hopped around from place to place with us and still had to work the next day! We definitely owe you when you visit our respective cities- and you should expect the same jumping around :).
Anyhow now more into the overall experience. Mumbai was one experience I have never experienced before and I couldn’t believe how much it’s changed. As you can see from the pictures and the stories it is AMAZING!! Watch out Mumbai Ashika and Shachi may be back for another attack!! (we’re trying to weasel a project in for Mumbai in December or next summer). Cousins if you’re reading this- you have to give India another chance it was absolutely amazing. The culture was a bit more at my pace too than Cochin. I love Cochin for its quiet time but I gotta be a little rambunctious once in a while.
This time around we actually saw the rest of Mumbai and the hotels of course. Lassi’s at the Taj by the Gateway of India, finding my new favorite Indian shop where everything is quadruple the price I pay (Bhakti we soooo gotta go here its absolutely amazing the clothes you can get) and we even saw a real interstate or should I say intercity highway in Mumbai where rikshaws aren’t allowed!! Can you believe it!! And the airport is brand new. It’s like a cross of Long Beach Airport and the OC Airport. You have to walk up the stairs to go into the plane but the terminal is as nice as the OC Airport.
Of course there are always more stories but I had to save more for when I actually see you guys. Let’s just say Shachi and I definitely act like we rule the world in Mumbai! LOLOL… oh the joys!
Now we’re back to our lives in Cochin and trying to wrap everything up. Everything’s actually happening a lot quicker than we thought. We’re supposed to do some dance next Tuesday in which they tried to teach us a traditional Malayalam dance but I think the Malu students may do that dance and we may have to show them how the Americans do it!! It’s of course very clean- we’re doing the electric slide!! LOLOL… I know what you’re all thinking and well I’m trying to figure out what exactly it’s going to look like. I probably should’ve busted out my garba moves… I think its funny how everytime someone asks me my name I tell them and they’re like ohh you’re Indian ahhhaah… I know what you guys are thinking but I do have a hint of Indian in me … I guess what I’m saying is stay tuned for some videos of our dance after next Tuesday. It is definitely a sight to see.
My next post… The Simple Life!
Oh yes and I can’t forget to throw out a Happy Birthday to Jiji, Sungina and Rinku- I hope you guys are WAITING to celebrate with me… and if you’re not well then we’ll just be celebrating again!!
Miss ya guys!!