I arrived at the Mumbai International Airport, for the third time, in December 2003. As soon as I laid my foot out of the plane, I could smell the scent of India. It had a scent of very unfamiliar things, it is very difficult to describe. It was not unpleasant though.
The officer at the foreigners immigration desk was very helpful and calm. The luggage officers helped me move my luggage from the conveyor belt onto my trolley.
My uncle came to receive me from the airport. He went to the taxi cabin just outside the arrivals door. I was quite impressed that the taxis are paid for at the cabin and not directly to the taxi driver, to avoid any misunderstandings with the taxi driver and the passenger. Although, it is quite expensive. My uncle lives in Bandra. The taxi from the airport to Bandra costed about Rs150.
When I reached Bandra, it was really beautiful. there was an arch of trees which made a shadow. He lives in Pali Hill. Bandra is the place where most of the Bollywood movie stars live. My uncle stays opposite Rishi Kapoor, the legendary Dilip Kumar, and in his building lives Prem Chopra, these are just a few to mention.
I went to stay in Mumbai town where all the action happens. My husband stays in an area called Marine Lines, and the section Dhobi Talao. Around Marine Lines, the famous places are Metro Adlabs cinema, Fashion Street where all kinds of clothes for kids, gents, ladies, and youngsters are sold, they are made locally made and some are imported. Most of the government offices are also in this area. One of the famous markets, called Crawford Market is about 15 minutes from Dhobi Talao. Crawford Market sells everything, from baby stuff to shampoos, packed food stuffs to drinks, decorative items to vegetables and everything is at a cheaper price compared to the normal shops!
Further away from Dhobi Talao, although still in Mumbai town, there is an area called Fountain, where you can do your normal shopping of expensive clothes, shoes etc. Towards the other end of Marine Lines, you can visit the Gateway of India at the seaside, opposite the Gateway is the very famous Indian hotel called Taj Hotel, where everything is very posh, elegant, sophisticated and extremely pricy! At night you must take a drive down the Queens Necklace, starting from Marine Drive, which is made of street lights in the shape of the Queen of England’s pearl necklace. It is absolutely stunning!
If you want to do your spiritual prayers, at a God who listens and grants your wishes, then go to:
Sidhivinayak Temple is the very powerful temple where Ganesh God resides in Prabha Devi, at Worli.
Hanuman Temple for where you will become brave and all your black magic is removed in Picket Road, at Princess Street.
Last but not least Maha Laxmi Temple, where the Goddess of money and all your other wishes will come true at the area called Mahalaxmi in Peddar Road.
When one visits these holy places they may offer the gods a basket of sweet meats, flowers, money and other things if they wish. The basket can be bought from the temple itself for either Rs15, Rs25, Rs30 or more.
At the Hanuman temple, offer the gods oil and a coconut.
One of the most amazing things in Mumbai is that, Mumbai is built on top of the ocean many hundreds of years ago! When you go to the seaface you can notice it.
The architecture of Mumbai, is still as it was during the British reign. They are still standing strong, plus the way the buildings are laid out and decorated, you can notice that they are British buildings. Although they are not painted. Some buildings and malls are now being constructed to international levels, for example the Inox at Nariman Point.
When you travel in your taxi or car, you can notice that the homeless are not going hungry. They will light their fire with wood, and make their vegetables, rice, dhal and chapatti. The kids will be playing. Although they don’t have all the luxuries in the world, they never seem to be complaining. It is quite amazing.
The other means of transport are also very useful, trains or buses. Trains however are extremely crowded during the peak hours when employees are rushing to work, and college students rushing for their lessons, as well as when 4pm comes it becomes very hectic. Other than that, its easy enough to just buy your ticket and jump on the right train, either being the slow train or fast. You can always ask someone around. Everyone in Mumbai speaks more or less English. Although, its always safer to ask the ticket master when purchasing the ticket, how to get around to your destination!
Buses on the other hand, can be very slow, but if you need to go to a destination not too far, then bus is the best way. You can ask the bus conductor or someone familiar to Mumbai which bus goes where, they will direct you with a bus number. The number of the bus is written in Hindi on the top of the bus, but then again you can ask someone who is also standing in the queue to tell you what the number is in English. All the locals understand Hindi, as Hindi is the national language! No need to be afraid.
In Mumbai, I have learnt that you have to watch for con-artists especially at the train and bus stations. Together with pick-pockets. It is very essential to move with speed, otherwise you WILL be left behind, especially with the trains and buses! The trains only wait for 2 minutes!. Never trust anybody except yourself!
Now the bad side of Mumbai. The sanitation in Mumbai is quite appalling, the roads in the residential blocks have many pot holes. People throw all the dirt bags into the allies. There are not enough rubbish bins around. People spit everywhere. When it rains heavily the gutters are not cleaned so floods occur.
The tax-payers money is wasted on building underground subways for people to walk through instead on hospitals, education or schooling. The taxes are very high for a normal working person. The population is too high.
Houses or apartments are very cramped up. There are not enough houses or apartments that normal people can afford to buy. Property in Mumbai town, if someone wants to buy, would pay about Rs 30 lacs for an apartment that is not even in a new building!
However, all these problems have reduced quiet a lot since I last visited in 1998. The streets are kept much cleaner and now the government have hired people to clean the streets frequently.
I can see that Mumbai, will be a place that will flourish! Mumbai can be a very enjoyable place to live especially during Diwali, when all the fireworks and candles are lit. Shopping is cheap, foods are great to eat! Friends and family come together to celebrate!
I hope you enjoyed my review of Mumbai!