First Impressions

The updates on the endof my european tour will have to wait. I landed in India this morning, the city of Mumbai otherwise known as Bombay. I thought I was prepared. My instinct to flee was building up during the cab ride into the city from the airport. Luckily, I met a Finnish (Niki) as I was prepaying for a cab. The Lonely PLanet book is a dead giveaway that you're a traveller, and we both had ours out.

Getting the cab was a little sketchy even though we had already paid for it. These guys kept running around with our certificate and we had to grab it back from them. They finally pulled up a cab for us, but it just didn't feel right. Niki didn't want to put his bag in the trunk and I agreed with that. When we got in the cab one of the guys out of the five running us around wanted a tip. We gave him a little bit and he wanted more. The driver took off and we left him with what he got.

Still not feeling quite right, I asked the driver if he knew where he was taking us. I'm not sure he quite did, which unsettled me further. Based on where the sun was in the sky I knew we were heading south, at least it was the right direction. It was the scariest cab ride I've ever taken and I'm glad we made it to the hotel. The things we experienced on the way are something I'll not soon forget.

Mumbai is a full assault on the senses. People talk about the smells. When it didn't immediately hit me when I got off the plane I let my guard down a bit. The cab ride slapped me back into my reality.

The air is hot and thick with humidity. Riding on top of that is the polution from the various motorized vehicles. Layer that with hot tar which I'm assume is being used to fix roads. At one point we pulled off the highway and were hit with the stench of rotting garbage. I tend to think I have a strong stomach, but I was greatful my stomach was empty. Attempting to breathe through my mouth was no comfort since, in my mind, I thought I copuld taste garbage in the moist air I was breathing. When we drove out of that I was only too happy to breath the regular air. The only places I seem to take deep normal breaths are in my room and places with AC.

I have to stop this entry for now, because time is running out at this internet place. I'll continue later or tomorrow.

Did you know India is 1/2 an extra hour ahead or behind everyone else.