I have finally arrived in India. Yesterday my flight landed with a big, heart stopping bump in the airport in Mumbai. The sun was glowing red in the sky and the air was heavy with pollution. I got to my hostel safely because they provided airport pickup since it was located so close by.
I was exhausted after the journey and went to bed after having some cheap, tasty Indian food in a local restaurant.
This morning I went to a cafe nearby for some breakfast and then got a cab down town. Mumbai is a extremely large city and it took an hour to get to Colaba where I was headed. I didn't mind though, because the cab ride was a fantastic way to glimpse a bit of the bustling everyday life. I saw women dressed in bright colours, children playing on the streets, men with wispy white beards and boys with skinny legs. I saw a man with a monkey on a leash and cows walking straight through traffic, I saw stray dogs crossing through crowds, I saw rats scattering at people's feet and big cats with even bigger eyes.
I was headed to a market, but after the cab driver had dropped me off and left I found out it was closed because it's Sunday. I walked around instead and saw a bit more of the bustling life of the city.
One of the things that have inspired me the most to travel India is reading the book Shantaram. It's one of the best books I've ever read and it's situated in Mumbai. I bought myself a Indian travel book and to my big excitement I found Leopolds Cafe in my travel guide. Leopolds is mentioned many times in Shantaram so of course I had to go there and see for myself. It wasn't quite what I had expected, but it was still awesome sitting there sipping my chai tea and watching all the people in the crowded space.
By then I had been walking around quite a few hours, so I got a cab back to my hostel.
I will spend two more nights here and then probably take a night bus to Goa after that.
It is exhausting with the tempo of the city, but anyhow I'm already in love with Mumbai. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of colourful India!
I'll keep you posted!