Bollywood Here I Come!!!

Nagina and I finally arrived in Mumbai Airport at 10:45pm after our flight was both delayed leaving and delayed landing.  When we got off we were greeted by warm air something we hadn't felt since Khajuraho.  We walked to the baggage claim and camped our at the carousel with luggage carts.  It took forever to get our luggage probably because we checked in 5 hours early ours was the at the bottom of the pile on the plane.  Once we got our luggage we walked out and were met by a guide who walked us to the pick up area where the hotel van pulled up a  few minutes later.  We got the luggage loaded the climbed in and drove to the hotel.  Once at the hotel we checked in and went up to a postage stamp sized room that barely had enough room for both our luggage.  It also had mini twin beds.  I felt like if I turned over I was going to fall out of bed. I mean come on, they were smaller beds then what I've slept in in hostels all over Europe and those I paid a lot less for.  But it was late and we were tired so we sucked it up and got settled in and got in bed as quickly as possible.

The next morning we were up at our regular time and got dressed and headed down to breakfast.  I barely realized the night before that our hotel is on the beach and breakfast is served in the restaurant which overlooks the beach.  We opted to sit outside on the patio as it was so nice outside while we ate our breakfast.  After breakfast we headed out with our new driver who was really nice.  During the course of the morning he got the Air India phone number so that I could call to confirm my ticket.  We spent the morning driving around Mumbai and the beach strip which is famous as the place all the big Bollywood stars live.  Much like our Malibu.  I had to laugh when he mentioned that the new big thing for the stars is to have a house in the Bollywood hills above the city.  It really is a Holloywood done Indian style.

Eventually we made our way down to the Gateway of India a famous landmark built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Indian in 1911.  Unfortunately it was partially covered in scaffolding for cleaning and repairs.  But needless to say we got a picture in before heading out.  The driver knew we wanted to do some shopping so along the way we stopped at a dress store.  I had fun helping Nagina pick out some dresses.  That was of course after I finished my phone call confirming my flight to Tokyo the next day.  I was pretty much shopped out by this point plus they didn't have what I was hoping for and it was a little out of my budget.  After store #1 we drove on and were dropped off at the entrance walk way to the Haji Ali Mosque.

This famous mosque is the home of a tomb to an even more famous Muslim Saint.  The mosque is built out in the middle of the water in the Arabian Sea, on a stone platform and to get to it you have to walk along the breakwater.  We got dropped off and on the walk down to the breakwater Nagina picked up a shawl/blanket thing, flower petals and string much like she had at Fatehpur Sikri.  We went through the mosque security and dropped off our shoes and covered our heads before heading into the mosque.  In the burial chamber only men are allowed to lay the blanket things and sprinkle the petals so Nagina had to give the stuff to a man that worked at the temple so he could to do it for her.  I was a little miffed that women were not allowed to do it themselves which to my western and feminist sensibilities was retarded but that's culture for you.  After the guy laid down Nagina's stuff he came round with what looked like a giant feather duster and smacked all the women in the forehead with it including me.  I wasn't sure but I think it was some kind of blessing.  At least I hope that's what it was.  Of course this was confirmed by Nagina when we exited the building.  We collected our shoes and took some pictures then headed off back along the breakwater to civilization.

The driver collected us and we drove on past the MahaLaksmi or Grand Laksmi Temple which looked impressive from what I could see out the car window.  We were still interested in shopping and store #2 was a big and really expensive department store.  We walked around but didn't buy anything.  From there we decided on lunch and I got Nagina to agree to come with me to McDonald's.  I know it sounds odd to some but I really like trying McDonald's out in other countries because the menu is sometimes different and the food sometimes tastes different.  Since this is likely my last opportunity to try it she agreed.  It was interesting to find out that no beef is served at the McDonald's in India.  There was McChicken, McVeggie and McSalad sandwiches but not cheeseburgers and the Big Mac substitute was called the Mahachicken Mac.  Now how do ya like them apples!  I got a McChicken sandwich and fries and we headed upstairs to get a table and eat.  I was surprised to see all the young people eating lunch there were mostly in jeans and western styled clothes which is something I didn't see in the other big cities nearly as much.  I found it even more ironic since I finally wore one of the Punjabi dresses I bought along the way.  I would have fit in better in Bombay in my usual jeans and t-shirt.  And of course if that wasn't bad enough I dropped a ketchup covered fry on my white top and left a ketchup stain.  Lucky for me I was able to hide it using my scarf.

After lunch our driver took us over to a local market where we jumped our and shopped around.  This was a little more my speed price wise and I picked up another more causal Punjabi dress in pea soup green with some crazy patterned pants. Then I splurged on some cool multicolored bangles and some Bhindis for when I get home.  I now have a supply at the ready for when I wear my Indian gear or for when I feel like it.  When we finished up we called the driver and he came by and picked us up and on the way back to the hotel we stopped and got some more water bottles.

Once back at the hotel we packed our new purchases into our already bulging bags and sat down to relax.  I changed out of my stained Punjabi dress and attempted to get the stain out with one of Roxann's handy Shout wipes and it mostly came out so there is hope, I think.  Then I headed downstairs and checked my email and finally received something back from Stephen with his information and that since he had taken leave he would come pick me up at the airport.  Yeah!  I headed back upstairs to find Nagina digging through her paperwork for something then she made some phone calls.  I sat down and journaled for a bit then pulled out a new book and started reading.  Nagina took a nap and woke up to her phone ringing at 8pm.  Since she was up we went down and had dinner which was relatively light but still tasty.  We got Kemba again which I really liked the last time.  After dinner we went back up to the room and Nagina went to bed while I read a bit before going to sleep too.

We both slept in the next morning and didn't get up until after 8am.  What rebels we are!!!  We got up and dressed in our travel clothes then went down for breakfast by the beach.  We got a call from the Orbitz (travel agents) people and they had arranged for some morning stuff and the car would be picking us up at 10am.  When we finished up breakfast we went back upstairs and I finished all my packing so I was ready to grab my stuff and go to the airport later.  When that was done we went downstairs and waited for our car to arrive.

Our car arrived at 10:30 and we loaded in and were driven to a nearby Hari Krishna Temple.  It was a newer temple and fun to walk around as it had scenes from the Mahabarta along the walls leading up to the altar.  We cruised around and made our offerings at the altar.  Then we sat down in the sun of the temple courtyard and relaxed for a bit.  As it got closer to the pick up time we wandered through the rest of the temple and gift shop.  I laughed when a monk tried to give me the exact same copy of the Bhagvad Gita that I have at home which was given to me by a club on campus at UCSB.  I still haven't read it yet but now I have more incentive and time, or I will when I first get home.  After the temple the driver took us to store #3 to  shop.

This was yet another nice store but I had definitely bought all the clothes I needed and some I didn't already so I helped Nagina pick out a few more Punjabi dresses.  But when we went downstairs I was caught by the bangle selection as that was something I hadn't bought much of.  So within the matter of 10 minutes I had a stack of variously colored bangle sets in front of me which I purchased.  It only ended up being about 10$ worth but it was a lot of bangles.

After closing the deal at store #3 we headed out and had just enough time to grab a snack.  The driver had located a South Indian restaurant that served dosa by our hotel and we headed straight there.  We each had an onion rava dosa and we split a rava idle and each got lassi.  I wasn't at all expecting the giant size idle and dosa they brought out which were absolutely divine and I ate every morsel stuffing it all in as who knows when I'll find dosa again in the States.  It was delicious and exactly what I had been hoping for for my last meal in India.  Dosa is easily my new favorite Indian food.

After lunch we went back to the hotel and rearranged things to fit in the newly purchased items.  Since we had some time I ran down and attempted to check my email again but the computer wasn't cooperating so I gave up and ran back upstairs and collected my stuff.  We checked out of the hotel and loaded into the car and headed out for the airport.  During the drive Nagina and I talked about what a great trip we had had.  I was the first drop of so when we arrived at my terminal I got out and got my bags onto a luggage cart.  I gave Nagina a big thank you hug and got all tearful.  It's odd to travel with some one non stop for a month and then just leave and be on your own again.  I was happy and sad at the same time to be leaving India and Nagina.

But I must venture on as Japan and my brother await.  So I got in the airport and checked and checked my bags in.  Luckily I didn't get hassled about my 2 enormous bags.  I made it through security and immigration and walked to my gate.  The airport was pretty empty and I settled myself down in a row of chairs to wait for my flight.  I passed the time by reading and drinking a diet coke.  Before boarding the plane I hit the bathroom and changed into my long sleeve shirt as it was going to be much colder in Japan and my t-shirt wasn't going to cut it even with the fleece and jacket.

Eventually I boarded my plane and settled in.  The plane was way over half empty so I got a 5 seat center row all to myself!  We left a half hour late (no surprise there) and the first part of the flight to Delhi was uneventful.  They feed us and put on a movie but it was in Hindi so not of much interest to me.  I ended up reading the entire time.  We landed in Delhi and the Delhi passengers got off.  The continuing passengers were asked to stay on the plane while it was cleaned and serviced.  An hour or so later the new people boarded and we were off to Tokyo.  Once we were back in the air I put my MP3 player on and laid down in my 5 seat row and attempted to sleep which was not as easy as it sounds.  I maybe got a couple hours of sleep but at least it was something.

And before I knew it we were descending into Tokyo.  But you'll just have to wait to see what happens in Japan.

I will say I had wonderful time in India and I would encourage would be travelers to go to India as it is a phenomenal place to visit.  I hope to someday go back and see more of the country.  I missed out on Kerala this trip so maybe I'll get back there and see that next time.  Again I want to say a really really special thanks to Nagina who planned the trip and traveled with me for so long and her lovely husband Mohammed for letting me keep her away so long and helping to plan too.  And to all Nagina's sisters - Mohasina, Mobine, Moina, Usra and the adopted sister Parthi.  And to Shama and Nadeeb for allowing me to attend their wedding.  And everyone else that I met in India.  Thank you so much.