StellAway

India

2008-07-27T00:14:00.005+09:00

Welp, that's it for the India portion of the blog. There were some moments of great frustration, but overall it was a great five months. From India, I went to Philadelphia in the US for school for six months, and then Tokyo, Japan. I will go straight to the Japan pictures next, but will come back to Philadelphia later. As promised from the very beginning, add images and commentary from travels from the past couple years as well. And of course, as long as I continue to travel, this blog will continue to thrive well into the future. But first, let's take one more look at other random sights of India. Enjoy!

Fashion Queen

2008-07-26T23:25:00.005+09:00

In the first pic, I am wearing the traditional outfit of the women in a certain rural community outside of Jodhpur. I tried this on during our rural tour. The 2^nd pic has more of a story. A local TV station was interviewing the couple who owns the inn we stayed at in Jodhpur. The story was about Diwali. They decided to ask some of the foreign women staying at the inn to dress up and celebrate in a traditional Diwali ceremony. Tada! This outfit belongs to the wife and I can’t believe it was long enough (though I had to wear my own bracelets since her bracelets could only fit over her itty-bitty tiny hands.)

Train Ride

2008-07-26T23:21:00.003+09:00

We took many trains during our Rajasthani trip. Some cars were so intensely crowded that we actually saw a man accidentally fall out and bang his head on the track (he’s OK.) We took the more expensive, air-conditioned, less crowded cars. We sat in the trains, we slept in the trains, and we did nothing in the trains. Train rides ranged from 4 hours to 16 hours (yeah, I know, that’s crazy long.) At the main stations, vendors came onto the trains to sell food and drinks. The long-distance trains had two types of bathrooms as well. Can you guess which one I used?

Swimming Hinglish

2008-07-26T22:56:00.002+09:00

You often see bad English written on signs here and there. That’s fine, especially since I’m not sure my written German is much better! Anyway, this sign at our little hotel is a great example of that. The fact that Indians and foreigners have separate swimming times is telling, as Indians tend to be more modest at the pool than Westerners. However, I’m not sure why foreigners get twice the amount of time as Indians. Perhaps the hotel attracted twice as many foreigners? Who knows?

Here’s a story for your amusement. By the time we checked-in, I was thoroughly starving so I immediately ordered a plate of spaghetti from room service. After waiting 45 minutes, I called to find out about the delay. Another 30 minutes passed and with hunger I never knew, I staggered downstairs to inquire about my food once again. Yet another promise that it would come soon. 15 minutes later, Leah decided to go explore the town but stopped at the kitchen first to check on my food. Do you know that after 2 hours of waiting, room service finally showed up with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4, yes, 4 plates of spaghetti?!!?

Pushkar

2008-07-26T21:44:00.004+09:00

Hippie town! A lot of Westerners live in this small town. They look like what one may term as “hippies.” Yeah, you know what I mean. Getting there meant being crammed into a bus that had to go up a mountain populated with lots of monkeys. We celebrated Diwali here and it was fun. However, it was also extremely loud and pretty dangerous because there were little kids everywhere setting off firecrackers and fireworks in the street. Watch yourself!

Think Pink in Jaipur

2008-07-26T21:31:00.004+09:00

This is Jaipur, the pink city. It is the loudest and craziest of the cities we visited in Rajasthan. There is also so much dust in the air that we had to cover our mouths and noses as we drove around in traffic. Part of it was very glittery and kinda reminds me a bit of what I imagine Las Vegas must look like. These pics come from the center of town.

Look Into My Eyes…And My Hair

2008-07-26T21:28:00.003+09:00

Many babies, like the one in this first pic, have their eyes rimmed in black eyeliner. I was told this is solely for beauty reasons. Also, one of the boys in this photo has his hair cut in a certain way to express the belief that he was born extra blessed. You can see the cut in the next two pics. A grandmother, sitting in the middle of the desert, surrounded by her grandchildren. Haunting.

Twist and Shout

2008-07-26T21:24:00.002+09:00

Even though opium is officially illegal in India, the government allows some people to keep a little opium because it has become a part of their heritage. This man showed us a typical opium ceremony that is performed whenever he has guests. In the pic, you can see the process of making the opium elixir. To make it, he used my own bottled water (drinking the well water would’ve made me sick.) The elixir tasted extremely bitter but it was an honor to have this ceremony anyway.

He then showed us how he tied his massive turban, which you can see in the video. The turban can be used for shade, to collect water, as a mosquito net, to hold food, everything. So very useful. I’m not really a hat girl, but do you think I could rock a turban?

Where Art and Education Live

2008-07-26T21:16:00.005+09:00

While on the rural trip, we saw people and the art they create. In the first three photos, you can see people who make clay pots, weave carpets and make cotton sheets and tablecloths. All this is done by hand and can be quite labor-intensive. Despite that, the money they make from selling their wares is often insufficient to support beyond basic needs.

In the last pic is a school for mothers and their young. The school, funded by the UN and run by local women, teaches women how to take care of themselves and their children while the children learn the basics of reading and writing.

Rural Tour

2008-07-26T13:27:00.004+09:00

We took a daytrip to the rural communities outside Jodhpur. In these tiny villages, there is rarely any running water or electricity. At times, the ride in the American army jeep from the 1950s (don’t ask me how it’s still running) was very bumpy and very dusty. Well, here are some images. I don’t think I need to say anything about them. The pics say enough on their own.

Your Chariot Awaits

2008-07-26T13:24:00.003+09:00

These are some of the ways the high and mighty residents of the fort used to travel in the past. Looking cool and elegant.

Mehrangarh Fort

2008-07-26T13:13:00.002+09:00

This fort is so cool. But getting there isn’t. It sits high above Jodhpur. In the hot mid-afternoon desert heat, we walked all the way up steep, narrow winding steps to reach it. So best believe we were drenched in sweat by the time we got there.

You can see in the 4^th pic, the great big door in front of the fort. It has sharp spines sticking out way up high. This was to prevent enemies from using their elephants to knock down the doors. My favorite room, the queen’s room, is in the last photo. I think you can guess why it attracted my eye.

Egg All Over the Place

2008-07-26T13:12:00.002+09:00

This omelet shop, in the center of Jodhpur, is famous and mentioned in a lot of guidebooks (the owner of the shop is standing underneath the sign.) Due to its popularity, there are a number of competitors that have spring up as well. Well we went to the original to see what was the big hullabaloo. I had an omelet with cheese, masala, and some other veggies I can’t remember. Anyway, it was, eh. It was OK, but not all that. Kinda greasy and sloppy for my taste. But hey people love it, so have a try.

Bracelets Galore

2008-07-26T13:10:00.001+09:00

We spent a ridiculous amount of time sitting on the floor of this bracelet shop. . Our bracelets, made out of gum resin and formed over hot coals, were made by hand by hand right in front of our eyes. He and his brother worked full-time in this shop owned by their father. Everything they knew about the US came from watching WWF. Hulk Hogan was their hero. And because Rachel and I are tall, they thought we’d be perfect for WWF as well. Hmmm… I don’t know about that. I’d rather someone not hit me on the head with a chair, even if it is fake. I’m just sayin’.

Our Animal Friends

2008-07-26T13:09:00.002+09:00

When it comes to animals, this is hands-down India. Rarely will a day go by that you won’t see a cow or, more especially, a dog regardless of whether you are in the city or on the countryside. In the blazing heat of Jodhpur, they lounge together quietly in the shade. Siesta!

Jodhpur

2008-07-26T13:08:00.000+09:00

Check out a typical market scene in central Jodhpur has everything including sugar, fruit, tikka powder, candy, junk metal, flowers, and huge peacock feathers. In the middle of the video, you can see two young men. In India, it is very common for male friends to hold hands or put their arms around one another shoulders as they walk and chat. Hmm…I know there would be a number of people in the states who would be up in arms about that. Pity. Anyway, I do love how there’s music blasting from someone’s 1980s-style silver-plated boombox. Because, you know, every market should have its own theme music.

True Blue

2008-07-26T13:03:00.001+09:00

Welcome to Jodhpur, the blue city in the middle of the Rajasthani desert. The blue paint is supposed to help keep houses cool and keep mosquitoes away.

It’s Even Higher than You Think

2008-07-16T15:31:00.003+09:00

What trip to India is complete without a ride on an elephant? None, I say. Sure, some may say that seeing the Taj Mahal is most important but I say pshaw to that. This is an e-le-phant!! And look how beautifully it’s painted. Oh, one bad thing though? I forgot to get my sunglasses back from the elephant caretaker once the ride was over. Yeah, that hurt a bit, but your girl Stelli-Stel got a replacement and she’s back to looking as crazy? fierce? famous? as ever with her gigantic celebrity sunglasses.

Speaking of celebritydom, I think I’ve mentioned before the celebrity status my classmates enjoyed due to being the only non-Indians in our part of Mumbai. Since I looked the most different, I got the most attention. So when we were in Udaipur, we were surprised to see our celebrity continue since there were many tourists there. To make things a little more interesting for ourselves, whenever someone shouted, “Where you from?,” we decided to reply with different countries from around the world just to see their reaction. So now I am from Jamaica, Malaysia, Uganda, Brazil, Algeria, Luxembourg…. Yeah, you didn’t know I was so multicluti, dija?

Can We Get Them on a TV Talent Show Please?

2008-07-16T15:28:00.002+09:00

We saw a fantastic cultural show in Udaipur. These people are so talented, don’t you agree? The women twirling in the outfits? Hypnotic. The woman clanging cymbals all over her body? Fascinating. And how bout the pots on the lady’s head? By the end of her routine, she had 10 pots on her head while dancing on glass! How many people do you know who could do that?

Free Advertisement

2008-07-16T15:23:00.007+09:00

Ok, I’m just going to be in-your-face with this endorsement: stay at the Panorama Guest House. The rooms are very cheap, very clean, and have gorgeous views. And like many Rajasthani hotels, it has a rooftop restaurant, which is really essential after you’ve been traveling for hours in the heat. The food at Panorama was a variety of Indian and Western fare and was extra delicious. I had French toast for the first time in almost a year here and it was oh so good.

Udaipur

2008-07-16T15:23:00.005+09:00

Let’s take a step inside Udaipur, shall we? The following are various photos that may help you envision it. By the way, in the fourth pic, you can see the main temple of the city. Just so you know, most of the time you have to take your shoes off before entering temples in India, so just be sure those feet don’t look too dragon-like! ;-) Otherwise, wear some non-smelly, non-holey socks.

White Brite

2008-07-16T15:21:00.002+09:00

Welcome to Udaipur, the White City. It is really small with very narrow streets. It’s really pretty and attracts a lot of tourists, especially couples. The second photo kinda shows you what the water is like. Unfortunately, like many other rivers in India, this one was incredibly filthy. I felt so bad seeing people bathing and washing their clothes in it. But what choice do they have? None. That’s the sad thing.

One Hump or Two?

2008-07-16T15:20:00.002+09:00

Initially, we were going to take a bus from Ahmedabad to Udaipur. However, it was a seven-hour drive on a non-air conditioned government bus. Now look, driving fast on the highway with the windows open, you don’t even feel the heat. Right? And think of the crazy cast of characters we could be sitting next to on the bus. Well, the other three weren’t having it so we rented a driver and an air-conditioned car. Though the trip was cut to just four hours, the drive was the most expensive transportation of the trip. Oh well, 3 to 1.

Anyway, here we have the camel, a reliable beast of burden, which we saw on our car ride. Yep, that camel is just walking down the street right next to buses, cars and trucks. Hey, just cause it doesn’t have a motor doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong. Oh, and you know what? I even saw some camels running down the street! Oh, if only I were able to catch a video of that!

The Wrong Side of the Tracks

2008-07-16T15:02:00.001+09:00

Before getting to Rajasthan, we spent a night in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. It is home to one of the best universities in India, IIM Ahmedabad. The whole area around the school is supposedly a paradise for luxury shopping and luxury hotels with luxury prices. Definitely not for your ordinary backpacker. Instead, we trekked to another part of town that was, well, less than stellar (you can see a little of it in this first photo.) In fact, my roommate stayed awake half the night keeping guard against random creepy critters. We were so glad when the sun finally rose that we didn’t even bother to take showers. We just got our stuff and ran into the auto-rickshaws you see in the second pic. But hey, as a student backpacker, you gotta have that experience once (and only once), right? Hmm….

Rajasthan-bound

2008-07-16T15:01:00.003+09:00

For 10 days in November, I went on vacation with 3 of my classmates. We had 10 days off for Diwali, the Festival of Lights or the Indian New Year. We decided to go to Rajasthan, a state in northwestern India. By bus, train, car, and good ol’ walking, we visited Udaipur (the White City), Jodhpur (the Blue City), Jaipur (the Pink City) and Pushkar (the hippie town.)

Chaotic Beauty

2008-07-16T14:59:00.004+09:00

It is very difficult to capture the craziness of Mumbai traffic without experiencing it yourself. Not only do you have every type of vehicle, person, cart, and animal on the road, but there are few street lights, signs or pedestrian crossings. You are often risking your life when trying to cross the street. No one stops for you, no one stays within the lanes and everyone is honking like that’s actually gonna do something. Well, for you, I try to show that insanity. Behold by clicking the following videos:

Delhi Revisited

2008-07-16T14:57:00.002+09:00

My last entry on Delhi wasn’t the sweetest, so here is my way of making up for it. This is the Lotus Temple in Delhi. It’s as beautiful inside as it is outside. Interesting thing happened while visiting here. I was harassed by a gang of mosquitos. Literally. Some of you know that, unfortunately, I am one of those people who happen to be a particularly tasty treat for mosquitoes. In India, if I was spending the day outdoors, there was no way I was going outside without first coating myself in bug spray. Well, I must have forgotten to put some on this evening because a hoard of those little nasties was following me around for about five minutes. I ended up having to run into the temple. My classmates nearly fell to the ground laughing. Hey, now you calm down. It’s not funny!!! Well, maybe a little… ;-)

The Movies

2008-07-09T18:19:00.004+09:00

Bollywood is India’s booming film industry. It’s second only to Hollywood in America and comes before other emerging film centers like Nollywood in Nigeria. As a foreigner, if you hang around long enough at Colaba Causeway (tourist mecca in Mumbai), a scout may ask you to appear in as an extra for a movie, music video or commercial. This never happened to me, but two French ladies at school got offers a number of times. They were excited at first but after a couple times, they just got sick of it. It was too hot, took too long, and they received too little food. And considering food and maybe a little fame is your reward for a day’s worth of service, that’s not so good.

The movies are mostly in Hindi. Also, they are three hours long. You will rarely see kissing in the movies. Bollywood movies also remind me a bit of Disney movies as the characters can bust out in a fantastic song and dance number at any moment.

In the pic, you can see a poster of one of the biggest movies of 2007, Om Shanti Om. I didn’t get a chance to see it, but I definitely saw a lot of its accompanying music videos on the TV while I was on the elliptical machine on the gym. And one song was THE hit at The Hawaiian Shack, one of the funnest nightclubs around. Check out the movie version here (nightclub version was a faster remix:)

Hair Supreme

2008-07-09T18:14:00.003+09:00

Who says only the hair on your scalp should be styled, coiffed and beautified? Not these fine gentlemen. So what if they may be using combs, curlers, flat irons and even deep conditioners? They know what they got and they’re flauntin’.

I Got Yo Goods Right Here

2008-07-09T18:12:00.002+09:00

Ahh, the ever-present goods carrier truck. Each truck is brightly painted with unique pictures and designs. Each also has a bumper sticker on the back that reads, “Horn OK Please!” Say what, Stella? Well, the sticker is just letting you know that it’s OK to honk your horn. Um, this is India. EVERYONE is perpetually honking their horns (especially since most taxis don’t have side-view mirrors.). Believe me, nobody is looking for permission to do so. But thanks for letting us know anyway, goods carrier trucks.

Trikes-Not Just for Kids Anymore

2008-07-09T18:10:00.001+09:00

Talk about the ultimate tricycle. This thing is tricked out. Ok, it’s not all razzle dazzle, but I wouldn’t be surprised if India’s own version of Xhibit didn’t help pimp his ride. Look at how much this tricycle as improved once a wagon was melded onto it!

Cough! Gag! Wheeze!

2008-07-09T18:05:00.001+09:00

We went to Delhi for a few days to visit some companies. Delhi is the capital of India. I didn’t see much of the city but what I did see convinced me that I much, much, much prefer Mumbai. One reason? The smog. Wow! I never knew such smog existed. I mean the sky was literally brown for two afternoons in a row . Los Angeles has nothing on Delhi when it comes to smog. Simply unbelievable. Let me tell you. Appreciate your clean air. And if it’s not clean, try to do something about it. Even if that means building the world’s biggest vacuum cleaner to suck up that pollution.

Crackin’ Those Books

2008-07-09T18:00:00.002+09:00

This is the Asiatic Society. It is a huge public library in downtown Mumbai. It’s all white and pristine on the outside but on the inside, it looks like a dusty ole place that obviously hasn’t be renovated since the first half of the 20^th century. No worries, though. It was a great place to concentrate so I went there a few times when I got tired of studying in the school’s library, my room, the park (of course, coating myself in mosquito repellant beforehand), or in coffee shops. Speaking of coffee shops, they are the it places for the upwardly mobile to hang out. But there’s no Starbucks. Instead the two big coffee chains are Café Coffee Day and Barista. Service wasn’t always that great but I could stay there for hours downing $1 cappuccinos so I can’t complain.

Vino

2008-07-09T17:38:00.002+09:00

Did you know that there is an Indian wine industry? Yeah, neither did I. But there is, folks. We visited one a in Nasik, which is 5-6 hours from Mumbai by bus. The bus ride was great. We stuffed ourselves with Domino’s pizza and played bus games like I did when I was in middle school while some others attempted to watch some Jean Claude Van Damme film on the bus’ DVD player. Anyway, the owner of the vinyard gave us unprecedented access to the entire process. And for a small fee, you can participate in a wine tasting lesson. I even bought a bottle of the delicious Indian wine as a gift.

Bee-yah

2008-07-09T17:35:00.004+09:00

The drinking age is 25. In Mumbai, you also need a special license to drink. I’ve never seen anyone enforce this but this is what I’ve heard. Many Indians do not drink at all. However, for those who do, there are little liquor and beer stores that sell all sorts of adult beverages. Though very small and cramped, the stores are completely in the open in the marketplace, with nary a door in sight. Nope, no bulletproof glass like some of our shady liquor stores in the states. One store had a list of all the beers they sell. There’s diet beer for all you health-conscious folks. But what about strong beer? Or super strong beer? And Godfather Super Strong Beer? Could that be how all those baseball players got so huge and powerful? Could this steroid scandal be all just a big understanding? Hmmm...

Round and Round

2008-07-09T17:31:00.002+09:00

Onions are extremely popular. Often, minced red onions are added as a side garnish to our meals in the school cafeteria. This vegetarian restaurant in Rajasthan takes onions to a whole new level. A heaping bowl full of whole ones for our eating pleasure. Well, not my pleasure actually—I’m not a fan.

But the food was so delicious anyway. This restaurant revolves on top of a hotel high in the sky (don’t worry NYC, your lovely revolving restaurant, though much more expensive, offers better views.) The second picture shows something also famous in western India. It is called thali and it originates from the state called Gujarat, which is right next to the state of Maharashtra, where Mumbai is located. Thali consists of many different foods served in tiny bowls. The bowls are placed on a big round platter. Waiters come around and continuously add refills of the food to the bowls til you’re full. Try it and tell me there’s not at least one thing you won’t want to eat over and over again. I dare ya. And no, white rice doesn’t count!

Manna From Heaven Might Be Similar to This

2008-07-09T17:27:00.004+09:00

This is a little bakery in Mumbai that has no doors so you can walk by and watch all the naan-making going on. Naan is soft, delicious bread that goes with everything. No seriously, I even ate it with a little pack of tuna for my lunch sometimes.

Don’t be fooled by imitators. That “naan” they serve in the cheap Indian restaurants in New York's Alphabet City is just pita bread, a pitiful imitation. I would highly recommend spending a few more bucks somewhere else to get the real deal.

There are many types of naan such as plain, garlic, cheese, and of course, my fave, butter. Can someone tell me whether there such thing as a butter naan plant? I do hoe so. Because I would grow it and harvest its scrumptiousness on a daily basis.

The Great Walkout of 2007

2008-07-09T17:23:00.005+09:00

The train stopped. Without warning. In the middle of two stations. For more than 30 minutes. With no reason ever given as to why. Well, some people had enough and they weren’t taking it anymore. Time to jump off the train folks. These sandals were made for walking.

First Class Travel

2008-07-09T17:16:00.001+09:00

(I posted this pic a long time ago but forgot to comment on it.) Isn’t this a fantastic chariot and rocking horse? Who owns this beauty and why aren’t they driving me around town as I do the Miss America wave from this fine vehicle? It is gilded, it is statuesque, it is fly, it is I.

Walmart, You’ve Been Bested

2008-07-09T17:14:00.001+09:00

Welcome to India’s answer to Walmart. Big Bazaar is the anchor store for Phoenix Mills, a mall frequented by yours truly. Yes, there you get almost anything you want at low, low prices. But before you do, you’re forced to check in any big bag at this smelly room before going through security who physically look through your purse. Yeah, going to Big Bazaar is just like going to the airport.

Well, apparently, Walmart tried to open up in India back in the day, but it didn’t work out. But I mean, come on. Compete with Big Bazaar? I think not!

P.S. Here’s an interesting tidbit about this picture—it includes an ad for an anti-wrinkle cream that works in just 7 days. Seems worries over those pesky little lines is not just a Western phenomenon.

This Sweetness Won’t Hurt Your Teeth

2008-07-09T17:11:00.001+09:00

Isn’t this just beautiful? And delicious? I am not sure what it is—I think some sort of religious sculpture. Regardless, it’s all colorful and cake-like. Two good reasons to take a picture of it.

Welingkar Washrooms

2008-07-09T17:06:00.003+09:00

The bathrooms at school are hilarious. The boys bathroom is called Adams, the girls bathroom is called Madams and the staff bathroom is called Executive. Even better, on the back of the each stall door, you will see a sign encouraging you to keep the bathroom clean. Which, you know, makes sense. Do you want to make the toilet cry, like it does in that dirty picture? I think not, my friend.

So Fresh & So Clean Rupees

2008-07-09T17:04:00.001+09:00

As a fast-growing emerging economy, India is really trying to clean up all sides of life, including politics. This sign, also a mainstay at VT, lets people know what the government thinks about bribery. Don’t do it! Be honest with your Rupees (India’s currency.) You go, India.

When Red Isn’t Flattering

2008-07-09T16:59:00.002+09:00

Here’s another sign that you will see often, this time in the actual train stations, especially Victoria Terminus (VT), the main station in Mumbai named after Queen Victoria. (She was queen for a majority of the time India was a British colony.) Here’s the deal with this. Many people, mostly men, chew this substance from a plant that isn’t exactly tobacco but, in my opinion, gross nonetheless. The name of it escapes me right now. Anyway, chewing this plant releases this red liquid, which has to be spit out just like when one chews tobacco. There are often red stains all over the ground or coating the inside of the few trash cans you actually see in the city. When I see it, I try not to think about it because eww, it is nasty.

Keep Em Tight

2008-07-09T16:53:00.002+09:00

I love jewelry, yes I do. I get it from my mama. Even though I often wear the same earrings and necklace just because of ease and time, I imagine myself in the near future totally bedecked and bedazzled in jewels and gems and stones and rocks and all the glittery, colorful stuff on a daily basis. Indian women love jewelry as well. Often, they wear incredibly heavy earrings that, although lovely, can unfortunately result in stretched or even ripped earlobes. That is not cool. Once, Rachel and I were earring shopping and this guy tried to convince us that a pair of earrings he was selling were light as a feather. Please. Rachel responded, “Do you wear earrings? No. Well I do, so I know.” This sign, which you see constantly on the trains, may be evidence that one too many women may be listening to that fellow.

You Don’t Even Wanna Know

2008-07-09T16:51:00.001+09:00

Yes, I could go on and on about how busy I was and all that other stuff, but really, do you want to hear all that whining? Nope. I will just apologize for the long absence. Sorry about the delay. Oh, and because it has been so long, there may be one points or two that is repeated just because I don’t remember if I mentioned about it previously in the blog. But 99.9% is definitely brand spanking new. So let’s get on with it, shall we?

Rhythm Divine

2007-11-03T05:04:00.001+09:00

A few years ago, mixing Indian pop music and hip hop music became popular in NYC nightclubs. Today, playing Akon, Backstreet Boys and especially Enrique Iglesias in coffee shops is very popular. In the last month alone, concerts in Mumbai included Akon, Beyonce and Chamillionaire.

Globalization-- allowing me to hear the same music anytime, anywhere.

Riding The Rails

2007-11-02T01:26:00.002+09:00

Mumbai has a pretty extensive public transportation system. Trains and buses run frequently all day and night. And they are not expensive. 6 Rupees gets me to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST/VT), the main central train station shown in the first pic.

Each train has at least one ladies only car, and you will find me here. Ladies cars allow women to feel more comfortable and safe on the train. If you`re a guy, you`ve gotta work a little harder.

Because they are so crowded, using the trains can take some nerve. Maybe because I`m a city girl at heart, but I don`t think the trains are so bad. OK, they aren`t very modern. And there are no doors. But no doors means you always have fresh air. And if the train is stalled in between stations, you can just walk off, like the people in the second pic did. Tell me where else you can do that!

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlaixXhNGOE to see ride the train.
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFU2vu3wSGs to see the women come in.
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86iyoRm8OzA to see the men shove in.

I`ve Got the Power

2007-11-01T01:55:00.001+09:00

Who is he? Where does he come from? What does he do? When did he become so popular? Why is he so popular?

I don`t know the answer to any of these questions. All I know is that crowds of people were making a huge fuss over him and were excited to see him. And why not? The man is rocking out like P. Diddy with his own manservant carrying an umbrella for him. When that happens, you know you`ve made it.

Oooey Goooey

2007-11-01T01:27:00.001+09:00

There are 2 type of stamps that I am used to. Everyone`s favorite self-adhesive stamps (yay!) and the not-so-delicious stamps that you must lick (boo!) I`ve now learned of a new type of stamp, the one used here in India. You dip your finger into a tub of watery glue sitting on a counter in the post office and rub the glue onto the back of the stamp. Once you place the stamp on the envelope, hold it for a bit, then wait for a minute or 2 until it dries. Just make sure you have a napkin ready to get that excess glue off your finger!

Wha?

2007-10-31T04:32:00.000+09:00

I have absolutely no idea what this is. Actually, that is not entirely true. I know it`s some sort of food. A lot of food. But that`s it. I went to the market. Saw it. Thought it looked utterly fantastic, fabulous, outrageous and outlandish. And just had to take a picture of it.

Cheeeeeese!

2007-10-31T04:13:00.001+09:00

This is cheese dosa. The shell is made out of lentils and is like an extremely thin pancake or crepe. It is folded but you can see that it`s so big that it can`t fit on the plate. There is cheese on the inside and outside, but you can have other things as well. And it`s served with the brown and white sauces. I was actually surprised by how much cheese there is in some Indian cooking. I mean, it`s not as much as in Switzerland or France or even America (or as good either), but it`s still much more prevalent than I thought. Well, you know me, I`m all about cheese so that is perfectly fine with me.

Do Not Put Maple Syrup on This

2007-10-31T04:08:00.001+09:00

This is tomato utapa. It`s basically a thick pancake filled with tomatos, onions and herbs. It`s served with 2 very common sauces. The brown sauce is warm and thin. The white sace is cold and creamy. At first, I didn`t like the white sauce, but we`re cool now.

Chicken Soup`s Got Nothin on This

2007-10-31T04:03:00.000+09:00

This is masil pav. It`s a chickpea stew that is always served overflowing out of the bowl. I don`t know why. It`s served with 2 rolls. Like a lot of other dishes, it`s also served with a handful of chopped raw red onions and a tiny piece of lime on the side.

Mumbai`s Big Mac

2007-10-31T03:51:00.001+09:00

The most popular fast food you can get anywhere on the streets of Mumbai is the samosa pav, aka Bombay Burger. A samosa is a fried ball of thin dough that can be filled with just about anything. It can be served with a number of sauces. The one at school is filled with potatos, peas, onions, and spices. Then it`s put into a roll. You dip it into a spicy green sauce. It`s fried so it`s not very good for you but as a quick, filling snack between classes and at a price of only 7 Rupees, how can you say no?

P.S. Whenever you see "pav" or "S/W", at least one roll is served to eat your food as a sandwich. Learn this because there are no explanations of foods in most menus. Usually, if I see something interesting, I`ll ask that person what it is. If I am feeling extra-adventurous, I just point and hope for the best!

Time to Eat

2007-10-31T03:33:00.000+09:00

This is our school cafeteria. This picture is deceptive though because it looks like it`s very bright and almost no one is there. In reality, it is often very crowded and quite dark, which is a shame because I like to eat with a little more light. Plus, forget about getting that food you see advertised in the picture. Most of it is Indian, with some grilled cheese sandwiches, omelets and Chinese food thrown in. The cafeteria, like almost all restaurants, does not give napkins with your food. In fact, many times you gotta fight to get one. Instead, there`s always a sink somewhere to wash your hands. Which is much more economical, yes, but there`s rarely soap so if you`re eating something oily with your hands (which is often), you ain`t gettin that off so easily. Also, in India, it is very important to specify if the food is veg or non-veg since so many Inidans are vegetarians. Ice cream bars are even labelled "100% Veg" so there is no doubt. Although plenty of places do serve chicken (and to a lesser extent, lamb and fish, though almost never beef), I find myself eating meat just about 2X a week here, and that`s usually on the weekends. Can you imagine me, the carnivore extraordinaire, cutting back so drastically? Wow, I must be so Indianized now. Who knew?

Gimme a T!

2007-10-31T03:05:00.000+09:00

The Tiffin man brings me dinner 4-6X per week. Tiffin is very popular here. You get a full fresh-cooked meal delivered to your home or place of business.

The pictures show you how they work. The food comes in a thermos that keeps your food warm. In each thermos, are four stainless steel bowls. 1 contains rice. 1 contains 4 pieces of roti, a thin bread. 1 contains a vegetable like okra or potatoes or cauliflower. 1 contains dal, a spicy vegetable stew which comes in unlimited varieties.

Most of the girls in the hostel use the Tiffin service. Every night, around 8pm, the thermoses are dropped off by the security desk on the ground floor. Whenever I feel like it, I will pick mine up, which I can identify by my room number, F3. When I am done, I just leave the thermos in the hallway and the maid picks it up every morning. Then the Tiffin man comes later on, picks up all the thermoses and refills them for the next dinner. You pay at the end of the month.

Tiffin--healthy, cheap, tasty and filling. Mmm mmm... just how I like it!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chai!

2007-10-31T02:46:00.000+09:00

Without question, the most popular drink in India (and many other countries as well) is chai. It is a very sweet tea that is mixed with milk and spices. Often, you will see men dipping bread into chai as a snack. The small glass that its served in is shorter than my middle finger and its width is narrower than the length of my pinkie finger (granted I have pretty long fingers!) But considering the huge amount of sugar in it, a small glass of it is all you need. In fact, if you do not drink it right away, a layer of sugary skin forms on top of it. If that`s the case, just scoop it out with a spoon. Though completely harmless, I don`t like to drink it cause it feels so weird in my mouth. Other than that, chai tastes so goooood.

Hey Stella!!---#2

2007-10-30T02:34:00.000+09:00

Round 2 of answers. (Check out the first answers I posted back on August 8.)

1. How`s wading through all that water? Actually, monsoon season is now finally over. It`s been dry since October began. It`s been replaced by temperatures from the mid 80s to mid 90s everyday (that`s low to mid 30s for my non-American people) and sun. It`s so nice because to me, sunshine makes everything better. And I`m so glad I can just walk around in a t-shirt, unlike many others at this time of year. It`s gonna be a cold hard slap in the face when I get off that plane in Switzerland in December. Luckily, Roland will have my winter coat for me when he picks me up. :-)

2. Sweet, so that means no more Crocs, right? Ummm...well, see, the thing is...they are mighty comfortable. Everyone in India wears sandals all the time so why not me and my Crocs. There is just no need to wear any other shoes.

3. How`s school? Well, the 1st session was tough those first 2 months. We had a hardcore schedule and so much work. Especially since everything was brand-spanking new for me. But I really enjoyed learning even though I ended up drinking more coffee in one month than I had previously drank my whole life. We started 2nd session on October 1. I`ve got HR, IT, multinational strategic management, and international finance. Plus, we visit 1-2 Indian companies a week.

4. Is India really that cheap? As long as you eat at local restaurants and shop in the markets, it`s very difficult to spend up to $10/day on food. During the school weel, I barely spend $5 on food per day--and that`s 5 very weak American dollars! Local trains within Mumabi are very cheap as well. However, housing in Mumbai is very expensive because like New York there are too many people and not enough space. Plus, if you are a foreigner doing touristy stuff, do know that you will get charged sometimes 10x the rate as Indian citizens. But sometimes a student ID helps lower the cost.

5. OK, all this sounds so lovey-dovey and that`s great. But what annoys you about Mumbai? Pushy people. Everywhere. They will not wait until you get off the elevator before they get on. They will easily cut in front of you in line at the restaurant or in a grocery store. And there`s no such thing as personal space. Oh no. They are all up on you. I guess all this is because there are so many people, you just gotta push. So push I do. Cuz otherwise, you will never get off that elevator or you`ll never eat.

Pray the Cushiony Soft Way

2007-10-28T17:36:00.001+09:00

This is the inside of St. Thomas Church in South Mumbai. Look at these chairs! How comfortable does that look?!? No hard pews here, oh no. Just big, soft, tall cushions that put you that much closer to God. And they`re pretty too!

Siesta

2007-10-28T17:18:00.000+09:00

Like many countries around the world, afternoons are break time and little activity actually goes on then. Post offices, medical clinics, small shops, and small restaurants are closed during this time. Here in Mumbai, manual laborers, all of whom are men, take a nap wherever is most convenient. This is usually on a quiet street, maybe underneath a tree, and if not, under some newspapers as seen in this pic. I think naptime is generally an hour or two. What do you think? Would naptime work in the West?

Mooove On Over

2007-10-28T17:15:00.001+09:00

Sorry, that title is really lame. I know, I know. But this pic just sooo called for it, no? The 4 cows are chillin in an actual lane of traffic---crazy midday traffic! And everyone`s just gotta deal and switch lanes. Cows rule!

U Sure U Hafta Pee?

2007-10-28T17:08:00.001+09:00

This is the toliet in the Prince of Wales museum. While many places here have the toilets I am used to, others still use the hole in the ground technique. Which in one sense is ok cuz it`s not like I sit on public toilets anyway. But on the other hand, I better make sure my targetting is on point. As Leah, my roommate said, "we`ll probably have thighs of steel by the time we leave here."

Another thing is that many Indians do not use toilet paper. In every bathroom there is a bucket next to a faucet. You fill that faucet with water and use your left hand to clean yourself. Hence, like in many other countries, no one uses their left hand to eat. Also with drains, pipes and the sewage system not really being on point in a lot of places, it is frowned upon to put toilet paper in the toilet. My roommate and I, the only girls on our floor to use toilet paper, learned this the hard way when a note was put on the back of the bathroom door warning us against that. Oops!

P.S. don`t my legs look all black as night and shiny in this pic? Love it!

And All That Flash!

2007-10-28T17:03:00.001+09:00

Here`s a little taste of Hindu architecture for your viewing pleasure. Everything is so decorative, so beautiful. I especially love the pink temple. It stands out so well against the dark building and sunless sky. Couldn`t you just see Mattel advertising to a replica to little Indian girls as Barbie`s Dream Temple? Of course, Barbie would look A LOT different! And her name would probably be changed to Shilpa.

Water Water Everywhere...And You REALLY Don`t Wanna Drink It.

2007-10-28T16:57:00.000+09:00

Welcome to Banganga Tank, home of the annual Banganga Festival that takes place every January here in Mumbai. Ritual Hindu bathers come here for the sacred healing power of the water. To be honest, the water looked really dirty to me, but as its source is supposed to be the Ganges River, I`m not surprised. Unfortunately, the Ganges, as holy as it is, is also known to be one of the most polluted rivers in the world. But the Banganga Tank still looks pretty from afar, no? And with a great name like Banganga, how could you go wrong?

Mosque in the Sea

2007-10-28T16:30:00.000+09:00

Swimming? Boating? Paddling? Nah, just plain old walking. That`s how you get to Haji Ali, the mosque in the sea. Haji Ali was a Muslim merchant from Mumabi who died on his way to Mecca after giving up all his possessions. According to legend, his body floated all the way back to Mumbai. The mosque is in desperate need of maintenance but that would mean shutting the whole mosque for some time and few people like that option.

During high tide, and especially during monsoon season, it is impossible to get to the mosque because the walkway is under water. Along the walkway, you see plenty of people selling things, and that`s fine. But what is hard to see is the many physically deformed people, mostly men, laying on the ground chanting for what seems like hours, even days. That was really, really tough.

The Wheels on the Cart Go Round N`Round

2007-10-09T23:54:00.000+09:00

If you`re in the business of selling something, how do you get your product from the distribution center to your place of business? Trucks are may be too expensive, so how bout a cart? It`s common to see men using all their strength to push and pull these carts on the street, right next to insane traffic! You can transport fruit, kerosene, clothes, anything. And there`s little fear a car will hit you.

Business on the Street

2007-10-09T23:14:00.001+09:00

Mumbai is the biggest city in India that attracts more than 1000 new settlers everyday. The population is estimated to be anywhere from 12-18 million people. No one knows for sure because lots of people are never counted. Anyway, people come because you can make money here. And you don`t need a lot of space to do it. Look and see a shoe repairman who has squeezed himself into the tiniest corner of the street to run his business. Or, the typists who spend all day outside typing important documents for people. The typists can read, write and type in English, Hindi, and several other Indian languages. All these businesspeople spend all day working, hear all the loud noises and watch all the people push against each other. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qwZBqCfJxw to hear and see a street market.

Beauty Expanded

2007-10-02T03:34:00.001+09:00

This is the inaugural issue of Vogue India. I picked it up to read on my train ride to the museum. Although I am not really a fan of Vogue (although I was told to try the French version, which is supposed to be excellent) and have been trying to wean myself off fashion magazines in general, I thought, "Hey, the very first issue, why not?" Although it is not the first American fashion magazine here in India, I applaud Vogue for it`s new venture. I can`t figure out though, why the blonde, Australian model is front and center of the cover. Don`t get me wrong, I believe all fashion magazines around the world should show all types of models no matter what. But for the very first issue, I think it would have been best if the cover focused a wide spectrum of solely Indian beauty. Now that I`ve been living in India for 2 months, I have an idea of what Indian beauty means in general, but that`s a whole `notha topic!

Sights & Smells That Can Bring Tears to Your Eyes

2007-10-02T03:07:00.000+09:00

I first arrived in NYC with my mother just a few days before I started college. I remember my mom`s reaction when we got out of the cab: "Eeeww. There`s bags of garbage everywhere and it`s so dirty. You`re going to stay here for four years?!?!" I tried to reassure her by saying that all big cities had a lot of trash and dirt, including Chicago. She was quick to point out that Chicago was significantly cleaner and I quickly replied that while this was true, especially since Chicago has alleys while NYC doesn`t, it was also significantly smaller. In any case, she grew to like NYC more and more with each subsequent visit. I don`t know if she`d ever like Mumbai though. Mumbai is a lot bigger and a lot more crowded then NYC, and oh so a lot trashier. Mumbai is so filthy and the smell is sometimes so bad, that it stops you in your tracks. And sometimes, you literally do have to stop in your tracks in order to avoid the animal or yes, human waste on the ground.The picture above is the very extreme and rare, yet, around town, I have seen that mess enough times that I`ve lost count. The city tries its best, I suppose, although there`s a lot more I think it can do. Ultimately, with so many people who don`t care enough, it`s difficult. How do you make people who already live in such a dirty town feel personally responsible for their own mes?

That`s My Ganesh!

2007-09-30T01:59:00.001+09:00

The next party on the streets of Mumbai was Ganesh Chaturthi, an extravagant festival from Sept. 15-25. Like Gokulashtami, those dates vary from year to year depending on the lunar calendar. Every single day for 10 days, thousands of people wait in long lines to worship Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. Many stages housing many Ganesh statues are built all over the city to accommodate the crowds. Every evening, until about 11pm, the celebration went into the streets with drumming and dancing—causing traffic to be even WORSE than normal…I know, how can that even be possible? But there you go. Anyway, the last day all the Ganeshes are paraded down the street towards the ocean where they are submerged and given back to nature. The parades were fun but at a certain point I felt we were more of an attraction than the Ganeshes were just because we weren`t Indian. That was OK since so most people smiled and waved at us. And every time we stopped to talk to 1 or 2 Indians, we ended up being surrounded by 20 more! The only bad thing was that it made us more of a target for the tikka powder bombs. As you can see, that`s how I ended up red, pink, orange and yellow. Yes, I had to scrub parts of my hair 4 times to get it all out but hey, all those colors made me even prettier, no? :-)

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5YhkhkT9RU to honor Ganesh right.

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnyqxuTL7Sc to ride with us towards the ocean.

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcQWAkCpNW0 to say farewell to Ganesh.

Gotta Have That Butter!

2007-09-29T02:59:00.000+09:00

The predominant religion in India is Hinduism. It runs on a lunar calendar so holidays are not the same day every year. This year, Gokulashtami, took place on September 4^th. Gokulashtami is the celebration of the birth of the god Krishna. As a boy, Krishna would always get into his mother`s butter so she hid it up high so he couldn`t reach it. Clever boy that he was, he got his friends together so they could reach the butter and eat it. Mumbai has the best recreation of this in India. Clay pots called Handis are hung up high in the air. Towers of people called Govinda Pathaks then climb on top of one another to reach and break the pots. The professionals can get up to 40 feet high! Amazing! My school, Welingkar, had one girls and one boys team. The day started with prayers and offerings of a buttery dessert to Krishna. Then came all day dancing, spraying of water, and dusting with red powder. We rode in the back of huge trucks singing songs and going completely crazy. Thane, the celebration site, had thousands of men but few women, for some reason, I don`t know what. Anyway, it was fun. And, guess who, along with some other students, ended up in The Times of India, the country largest English newspaper? Yep, that would be me. The picture highlighted international students` love of Gokulashtami. Sweet. And buttery. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugubSNn2qw to dance. Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgbugDsiuW0 to sing.

Freedom from Rule, Freedom to Shop

2007-09-28T02:45:00.001+09:00

It`s festiveal season here in Mumbai. It actually started back on August 15^th, India`s Independence Day, which marked the 60^th anniversary of independence from British rule. There was a small ceremony at school with the raising of the Indian flag that morning. I was lovin` the bright orange turbans and really wanted to try one on. I mean, it is my color, don`t you think? Maybe I should start incorporating it more into my wardrobe. Anyway, it was crazy crowded that day as most people had the day off and decided to shop til they dropped. This was the 1^st time I`ve seen so much shopping on an Independence Day, but it`s kinda American in a way, no? It reminded me of the day after Thanksgiving. SALE! SALE! SALE! Speaking of which, you know what Indians think of Thanksgiving? Not turkey, not Pilgrims, not football. They think of it as the best time to got to the states to get the best deals on electronics. Love it!

Me! Me! CHEESE!

2007-09-26T20:24:00.001+09:00

Speaking of star, everyone wants to be one, even if it`s just for a little while. Or at least, have a really good picture of themselves taken. Sometimes, when I`m out and about taking pictures, people want me to take a picture of them as well even though they know there`s unfortunately no way I can give them the picture. I even had someone ask me to take a picture of their baby! Just because! I wonder if it`s some sort of good luck. I don`t know. Anyway, yesterday another person asked if I would publish the pictures online, in the newspapers, and on TV. Well, there`s only so much I can do. I`m just not yet famous enough outside India! But I`m sure they`d be happy to know that a few people in countries far, far away have seen them on a random girl`s blog. So, without any further ado, meet some of my random friends!

More and More Famous Everyday

2007-09-26T20:04:00.000+09:00

I bought the shirt in this picture in NYC this past May and I wore it for my birthday dinner last month (yes, along with my celebrity sunglasses that my girls in Switzerland know I love so much.) This picture is also appropriate because Rachel, the amazingly cool chick next to me is a mini celebrity herself with cool make-up and and even cooler jewelry. People here are extremely nice, and we have definitely become local celebrities without even trying. I think they don`t know what to make of me half the time. I feel like this is what some people think: “Who is that? She`s got dark skin like me, but she`s obvoiusly not Indian. She has funny hair…and wow, she is crazy tall! And why does she carry that enormous backback? That can`t be good for her! Well, I`m just going to stare.” And stare they do. Often, I get stared at HARD, and surprisingly, it comes a lot from teenagers. I thought it would be mostly from old people. Ah, but they mean well. Once I was at the store and I heard a woman kept yelling “Jambo.” Of course, I paid no attention to her because I thought she was speaking Hindi to someone else..and besides, people are constantly yelling at each other. Eventually this incredibly tiny woman of about age 50 tapped my elbow and waved. With a smile, she said “Jambo! Jambo! You Ethiopian!” I had to laugh. Well, my celebrity is to be expected, I suppose. After all, my name does mean star!

Yum Yum—I Guess?

2007-09-26T19:55:00.001+09:00

There are plenty of outdoor food vendors here in Mumbai. It usually looks good but I really don`t know if it is. Why? Cuz I haven`t had the nerve to try any of the food yet, although one of my American classmates eats it every once in a while and hasn`t gotten ill from it. (He`s gotten sick for other reasons, just like the rest of us at least once.) The thing is, most of the Indian students at school don`t even eat it and warn me against it. I know I shouldn`t but the little adventurer in me says, “Come on, go ahead. You`ll be fine!” In the picture above, you can see a food stand I passed by last night. They were selling the very popular Bombay Burger, a fried ball of potato with some peas, onions, coriander and other spices put in a bun. Man, did it smell like Popeye`s Fried Chicken! Ah, the greasy goodness. Well, I already had my once-a-year Popeye`s for 2007 so I`ll just have to wait til I get to Philly next year, I guess.

D`OH!

2007-09-26T19:47:00.000+09:00

I didn`t look for The Simpsons Movie since I was able to watch it in

Switzerland

before coming here. But I`m sure they must have shown it here. The show is aired twice a day here and they broadcast all the newest episodes. One episode I saw for the 1^st time here is when Mr. Burns outsourced the plant to

India

. "Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore" is such a realistic episode that if you want a comical idea of what it`s like here, I highly recommend you watch it.

The Sport of Champions

2007-09-26T19:24:00.001+09:00

India

, cricket is king. The king of kings. It looks a bit like baseball and everyone is dressed in pristine white. The game can take up to five days and there`s always time for a tea break. It is very proper indeed. Two nights ago,

India

beat archrival

Pakistan

in the championship game of the ICC World Twenty20 in

South Africa

. Today, everyone is in an uproar while the team parades through the city now that the team has returned home. The pic above is a game I watched the other day as I sat on the low wall studying my accounting notes. It`s being played by members of the exclusive gym across the street from the school. You can only become a member through invitation, connections, or because daddy is a member. Funny thing is that these are the same rules the British had here in

India

back in the day. The only extra disgusting rule they had then that they don`t have now? No dogs or Indians allowed. Well, look who runs it now.

Up in the Air

2007-09-26T19:20:00.001+09:00

This is the roof of the school next door, Podar College. Mumbai is incredibly crowded and space is a luxury here, including space to play. So why not play soccer on the wet roof of your school? With that element of danger, soccer is even more exciting. Just don`t go too far to catch the ball!

You Do Whatcha Gotta Do

2007-09-26T19:17:00.001+09:00

I`ve said it before and I`ll say it again. People here are industrious. Somehow, the manhole cover in the middle of the street went missing. Since it takes a few days before it ca be replaced, someone made this makeshift cover from a stone, a slab of asphalt and a branch from a palm tree. That`s using your head, people.

Service with a Kick

2007-09-26T19:14:00.001+09:00

However, as nice as Balchandra Road is, getting things here ain`t easy. If you get something sent to you via regular post, do know your package will take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to get here…no matter what your post office tells you. Do know It will definitely be opened and fully inspected. Then it will be manhandled. Your box will look like Hulk Hogan has smashed upon it. It will look like it`s been kicked by David Beckham, dropped from a 10-story building, and run over by a Mack 10 diesel truck. Then it will be haphazardly put back together with some rope and black wax. If you`re unlucky like my roommate was, ¼ of the food that was sent to you by your best friend will get eaten as well. Above, you can see the box I got from the states after 3-1/2 weeks. The box I received from

Switzerland

fared better and only took 2-1/2 weeks. Otherwise, everything in both boxes were in pretty good shape. So, for those of you who may live in

India

one day? If you want to send something fragile or in a hurry, you better use a courier service.

The Little Street that Could

2007-09-26T19:10:00.000+09:00

Speaking of the girls hostel, this is the street it`s located on: Balchandra Road. It`s quite a nice street and usually very quiet. Plus, we`re only about 2-1/2 blocks from school. The only bad thing is that since we are in a low-lying area, it can get flooded pretty quickly when the rain comes too much, too fast. (Yes, those monsoon rains are still here-though, admittedly, a lot better than before.) The boys hostel is about 1 mile away and their street is not as pristine. They even have a special nickname for it…but I won`t write it. Just think of the name as the equivalent of "Crap Avenue.`"

I Have Returned!

2007-09-26T19:06:00.000+09:00

Greetings. Sorry for the long delay. I`ve been kept under lock and key by exams and other miscellaneous school activities for quite some time. To illustrate, here`s a picture of the entrance of the girls hostel and one of the many guards to ensure that we are under lock and key from 11pm to 6am. But the 1^st session of classes is now over and I`m back and ready for action. On with the show.

FINALLY--A Monkey!

2007-09-01T16:10:00.000+09:00

Yes! I finally saw a monkey just randomly walking down the street. Well, that's not entirely true. His owner was walking him. Yes, walking him like a dog. Love it! Naturally, I stopped him and asked if I could take a picture. He wanted Rs. 100 but I got him down to Rs. 50 which is about $1.25 (hey people, it's all about bargaining.) Well, that was 50 Rupees well-spent because I also got a little show. My video is shorter than the actual performance because I turned off the camera too early but you are still able to get a small taste of the pleasure I enjoyed watching this performance. Go Monkey Go! (To see the video, just click on the title of this post above the picture.)

Traffic Police? Really? Where?

2007-09-01T16:03:00.000+09:00

Traffic in Mumbai is terrible. Just plain awful. No lanes, few street lights or traffic signs, and pedestrians have absolutely no right of way whatsoever. And let's not get into the never-ending honking. Which is why I find this sign somewhat surprising. Because I've only seen traffic cops once since I've been here. And really, if I called them, what would they say? "Tough luck chick, you're in Mumbai. Deal with it."

Thanks

2007-08-31T02:35:00.000+09:00

Folks, thanks so much for your birthday wishes. No, I didn't do much celebrating yesterday as school was extra long yesterday with an exam and a presentation. However, some of my professors (who you can see in the background) and staff came to 504 after our marketing presentation and surprised me with a card and a delicious chocolate cake. Now, you know this cake MUST be good because I am very picky when it comes to cake. Don't cry for me though. We will all go out Saturday night. Plus, my roommate treated me to a Domino's pepperoni pizza while we had out Ugly Betty study break last night. Now while Domino's ain't the best, I can't say no to pizza.

The funniest thing about yesterday was the confusion. You may be wondering why the partially-eaten cake says "Colin & Stella." Well, Colin, who you see laughing with me, wrote on his registration form when we first got here that his birthday is 08/03. We Americans read that as August 3rd but non-Americans read it as March 8th. Knowing that, Colin put it the non-American way so the Indian staff would understand. However, the Indian staff, knowing he's American, thought that he was actually writing it the American way. So they thought his birthday was just a few weeks ago! They felt bad for missing his birthday (we didn't start school until until August 6th), so they decide to combine both birthdays in one. Oops! Well, it was a terrifically nice gesture, and we all enjoyed ourselves.

By the way, I've already contacted you but I wanna give shout-outs anyway.
Happy Birthday to my fellow August girls, Krystal (8/30) and Cameron (8/26).
And Happy Anniversary Roland. :-)

Take A Look Inside...

2007-08-31T02:10:00.001+09:00

...the secret lair! Ok, just kidding. It's just classroom 504, the IMBA classroom. This is where we have class everyday. Along with class time, I study here at least 1-2 hours/day here and also meet with my presentation groups here. So, yeah, I'm here a lot. Anyway, these pics are from the 1st day of school. We had to wear suits. To class? Yeah, I know. Luckily, the only other times we have to wear suits is when we go on corporate visits. Usually, though, we wear business casual so everyday I'm in a skirt and blouse of some sort. Saturdays we wear whatever we want (as long as we don't wear shorts.) Friday has also been christened Polo Shirt Friday so many of us wear save our 1 or 2 polo shirts for Fridays so we can be matchy-matchy.

One Month and All is Well

2007-08-31T01:54:00.000+09:00

I've been here now exactly 4 weeks. A long time. The past week was hardcore. Midterm time! We had 3 exams and 3 presentations since last Thursday and one more exam this coming Saturday. But it's all good in the hood. Just as I had to adjust being in India, I had to adjust to studying all the time but I'm learning a lot of interesting stuff, so it's definitely worth it. This is a picture of us as we left our first corporate visits a couple weeks ago. We had a day off so we visited a mutual fund company and risk management company. I have to say, the financial district in Mumbai looks quite nice.

Warning: Put Your Sunglasses On!

2007-08-31T01:45:00.000+09:00

Here's a much newer building. I took this picture from the 5th floor bathroom at school. It's beautiful. It looks almost like a beach resort. So, very un-Mumbai-like. I mean, it's brand-spanking white! Which is amazing because I thought it was impossible to keep anything very white for very long here. Who knew?

A New Form of Exercise?

2007-08-31T01:25:00.000+09:00

There aren't very many tall buildings in Mumbai, especially residential ones, so deem yourself lucky to see one now. This is a much older building, and for some reason, there's wooden scaffolding in front of it. Actually, a lot of buildings here have these skinny tree branch-looking structures in front of them, yet I never see any construction workers--no work ever being done. A woman told me that many times a dispute comes up or money runs out. So construction just stops--sometimes for years. This happens in the U.S. as well, but it just seems more extensive here. Oh well, I do like monkey bars and I WAS the schoolyard climbing champion back in 1991! Maybe I'll give it a try.

Henna For Me, Henna For You

2007-08-31T01:10:00.000+09:00

While walking around a market in south Mumbai, we caught sight of this some goats. Look at the white one on the right. Even goats get decorated! Now, I'm not 100% sure if it's henna or not but I wouldn't be surprised at all. Besides, whatever it is, it's a much more humane way to mark an animal than branding. So go on goat, rock on with your bad self! You know the other goat is jealous!

Come On In!

2007-08-25T02:25:00.000+09:00

This is the Gateway of India, our final stop on the tour. It's at the southern tip of Mumbai and the first thing people see when they arrive by boat. "The Gateway of India--come to India, and discover the wonders." (Don't I sound like a government tourist ad, right now?)

Green as a Leprechaun

2007-08-25T02:02:00.000+09:00

Welcome to the nicest park in Mumbai, the Hanging Gardens. If this close to the school and hostel, you know where you would find me everyday at 5pm. Yeah, it's just that beautiful, green, clean.

12 Times a Year, Stay Away!

2007-08-25T01:54:00.000+09:00

This is the sign you see when entering the Jain Temple. Most of them I understand and even expect but something seem did strike me as...well, different. Can you figure out what caught my eye? 10 points to whoever gets it right! (Collect 100,000 and get a new car!)

Jainism

2007-08-25T01:25:00.000+09:00

Following the museum, we visited a Jain Temple. Jains do not believe in harming any other creatures, big or small, so naturally, they are vegetarians. But they take this belief to a whole new level by sweeping the floor before they sit so they reduce the chance of accidentally sitting on an insect. They make their holiest symbol of purity, the swastika, over and over again with rice as they pray. Yes, the symbol was unfortunately adopted and literally inverted by the Nazis back in the day, but they are the complete opposite. They believe in the equality and peacefulness of humanity. I even talked to a few of them before and after their worship and they were very open and inviting.

The Illustrious Ghandi

2007-08-25T01:17:00.001+09:00

Next, we visited the home where Ghandi used to stay whenever he was in Mumbai. It is now a museum dedicated to him and it's really thought-provoking and inspiring. Here, you can see his room, which is behind glass. Included in his rooms are the looms on which he would weave, his incredibly uncomfortable-looking sandals and his bed. His bed looks tiny, too small even for his thin 5'4" frame. But well, he wasn't in it for thrills, right? I recommend this place if you're ever in Mumbai.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

2007-08-25T00:51:00.000+09:00

2 weeks ago, we went on a tour of Mumbai, led by the very knowledgeable Vinita. First we visited the Dhobi Ghat, basically the open-air laundromat. Dhobis are men offering full-service cleaning. They pick up your clothes, then wash, iron and fold them before returning them to you in under a week. They wash the clothes the old-school way by beating them against stones. They even make their own detergent and bleach. And all this for almost no cost at all. Talk about service!

Delay Ovah!

2007-08-25T00:45:00.000+09:00

Hi folks. Sorry for the delay but I got swamped with loads of work. I still have lots more to do but it's time to get back to my peeps. On with the show!

Strut Your Stuff

2007-08-11T03:54:00.002+09:00

I saw this amazingly decorated cow and cart this afternoon during lunch. The cow and the three people walking with it completely stopped traffic. Which makes sense to me cuz that cow was showing off. Yeah, it knew it was rockin'. Anyway, I don't know what the whole thing was about but man, I do love those random cow parades!

Bright Sunshin-y Daaay

2007-08-11T03:46:00.001+09:00

Last Friday was my 1st full day and it rained like crazy. Today? Sunshine! Woot! Woot! It was a sunny, dry day with light warm breezes. Isn't it amazing how something as normal as sunshine can brighten someone's mood? I would roll around and wrap myself in the sunshine like a big fluffy blanket if I could.