So, I finally get to a computer that allows me to write my blog without logging me out continuously and uploading random snippets without my permission!! Aahh, India!!!

We arrived in Mumbai on Sunday 3rd October to blazing sunshine and intense humidity. The taxi ride from the airport gave use the first insight into the rules of the road in Mumbai - In that there are none!! Drivers do not wait their turn for anything - traffic lights, pedestrians, roundabouts, you name it, they just honk their horns and hope that whatever is in the way moves!!

As we left the airport a young boy, approximately 10 years old appoached the taxi begging for money or food - Our first of many experiences with beggars in Mumbai.

We had no acommodation booked so headed for a hotel recommended in the Lonely Planet. Luckily they had rooms so we dumped our (heavy) luggage and set out for a walk around Mumbai. It's hectic! You are harrssed almost constantly by market sellers trying to interest you in their goods, from clocks to clothes, every single seller asks you to look at their stall. Along with the sellers, beggars, usually young women or teenagers, approach you and stroke your arm asking for "food, not money" for the small child they are holding in their arms. It's hard saying no, but how can you give to everyone? It surprised me how clean the beggars look, especially the women with their clean, styled hair and brightly colourd sari's. It seems that in Mumbai everyone is trying to con an extra penny from you - Tour operators, taxi drivers everyone. That's something I suppose I will have to become savvy about!!

On our second day we were approached by a man asking if we would like to star as extras in a Bollywod Film. Of course we said yes (I had read about this in the guide books also) and arranged to be collected by a "Bollywood Bus" at 8am the next day - Outside McDonalds! Yes, the Big Yellow M is everywhere!!

The Bollywood day was great experience. We were playing journalists at a press conference in a film called RA One - Apparently due to b a massive hit!! The clothes they made us wear didn't fit any of us and we all had to squeeze our sweaty bodies into tiny skirts and tops, but the day was fun! We were there for the full day until 8.30pm and they gave us food and paid us 500 Rupees (6 pounds) for our work! And beleive me, this is a lot in India. When you realise that a waiter works a 16 hour day for only 100 Rupees we did very, very well!

Most importantly for me, the Bollywod experience introduced us to some wonderful people. Amongst others we met Kobi and Janner, both Australians but not travelling together. After the Bollywood day we spent every day together up until Saturday 9th October when we finally left Mumbai for Goa - Long story but it seemed we would never get out!!

Kobi headed off to the North of India to meet friends and travel to Nepal and Janner joined us on the 16 hour train journey to Glorious Goa!

To summarise Mumbai in one word I would say it's hard-work. I'm glad I came but would be in no rush to come back. Like most cities I suppose. Unless you fall in love with it, there is very little reason to return. After all, a city is just a city, wherever you are in the world!

To be continued ...............