Arrived in Mumbai 2 days ago, still very jetlagged and high on adrenaline. Already had many adventures, being stared at nonstop, haven't found any cockroaches in my room or in the shower yet nor have I had any stomach issues, Inshallah!!I promise a longer bilingual blog entry soon, I am working on it and have already typed up loads on my mini laptop :) but unfortunately, my camera seems to have given up on life, probably due to too much humidity...so no pictures so far, until I either manage to get it repaired or have it stolen so I can claim a new one on the insurance.Travel advice if you are thinking about going to India, or at least Mumbai:- Don't over pack, there really is EVERYTHING in big cities, and a lot cheaper than in Europe. And I mean A LOT cheaper.- Bring a soap dish (thanks Ms Kenny!!!) and a sponge and some flip-flop[s. I will spare you the details about shared bathrooms but lets just say that the aforementioned items have already proved very useful, if not life-saving!- If you are female and traveling on your own, wear a wedding-look-alike ring on your ring finger and pretend you are married whenever men ask you if you are on your own. Say your husband is just at the hotel, and he is HUGE and VERY VERY STRONG!!! So thanks to Chris (Antoine's ex housemate), the lucky silver ring you have given me before I left has indeed been very useful already.And finally, be careful - yes, but don't let it make you shy away from meeting beautiful people. I taught two young boys from Rajasthan how to say, read and write the alphabet yesterday and then we spent the afternoon drinking chai and playing UNO (always have a game with you!) and it was the most wonderful afternoon ever...Ok, must dash, I am being an extra on a Bollywood film shooting this afternoon (no joke!) so I better go.to be continued...

15.09.2008

just a quick update to say I am safe and sound, no bombs here in Mumbai although everwhere is on high alert, cops and security guards everuwhere, especially as it was the last day of teh Ganesh festival yesterday and there were hundreds of thousands of people on Chawpatti beach. We saw it from a (safe) distance, it was magical...Just like in Shantaram!! Oh, and of course I have been an extra on a Bollywood film already, it will be released in 1.5 months and is called "FAshion!"" - it was the funniest experience ever. I have also had the compulsory drinks in Café Leopolds and after not finding my hotel the night after the Bollywood extravaganza, I stayed with my new Irish and Dutch friends at their hotel...Hotel India, of all places! Haven't met Karla or Didier yet but doing everything I can ;)

Had to change hotels today, gutted as mine was lovely (in Indian terms of course, i.e. no cockroaches or bedbugs in the rooms!) and the one where I am staying now is hilarious - the rooms are just about bigger than the bed and the sheets have definitely seen whiter days... But it's cheap, cheerful and full of friendly people.

Planning on going to Crawford market and Victoria Station today, then maybe have a look around the giant washery, the Hanging Gardens and the Towers of Silence. I am booked in here until Thursday, then I will probably set off to Goa, Hampi and the Keralan backwaters before crossing the whole of India to reach Nepal.

Lost of love to you all xx