Bombay Follies Part I: First Impressions

So we've finally arrived  in Mumbai!

Flight from Edmonton to London was pretty uneventful, if ridiculously long. But once we arrived in London, thats when the fun really started. Me and pops hopped onto the Tube and headed down the Piccadilly line to King's Cross Station and Platform 9 and 3/4s. Pops thought it was kinda lame, but i was SOOO pumped! There's a trolly that has run into the wall, and even an Owl cage and some luggage. You can take a photo with it too, bt we were kinda short on time, so i just watched frm the side. Not gonna lie though...my 12 year old dreams were fulfilled.

After that, we headed to Piccadilly Circus for cod and chips at a cute little Irish Pub. We kept glancing out the door just incase Jeremy Clarkson or Mr. Bean happened by, but unfortunatly, no such luck. After that we headed back to the Airport, but not before checking out Trafalger Square and some of the neighborhoods along the piccadilly line.  London is such a cool city. I expected it to be more similar to canada then it was.  But everywhere you looked, there was something you recognized from a movie, or book that you'd read. I really wish we'd had a couple more days to explore.

The flight from London to Mumbai was pretty decent. We travelled with Jet Airways, and to be honest, i preferred it to Air Canada. There was a decent selection of Hollywood and Bollywood films, not to mention a relatively tasty vedgetable and paneer curry with Basmati rice...Definate improvement over the McArthur fare im used to.

We arrived in Mumbai around noon...and man was that a culture shock. I had an idea of what to expect, and yet it was still incredible. Firsly, the heat was immense...and humid...my nicely straightend hair turned into a frow within 20 minutes of getting off the plane!  And you get this strong ocean breeze coming off the sea followed by the scent of seaweed and ...i don't know how to describe it...heat mixed with spice?? it's very distinct. But to be hoenst, the smell was nothing compared to everything you see....I mean i was practically silent on the ride to my Taiji's house (I know! ME...SILENT!?).  There are just people EVERYWHERE! Crossing the street, riding scooters, buying god-only-knows-what....wow...and the roads are absolute craziness... cars and scooters and rikshaws and cabs that are probobly from the  60s driving in every which direction, honking at one another...weaving in and out of one another.... It's amazing...i can't figure out the logic behind it all but there must be some, cuz somehow it all works. I mean, Im pretty sure  the street lights are only for decoration, cuz noone stops at a red light...but there is som degree of order to it, cuz noone crashes....Honestly though when you're driving around in Mumbai, you're not even paying attention to the road. There is just SOOOO many other things to look at. Every corner is littered with Billboards of the newest bolllywood flick  (featuring Ranbir Kapoor) or covered in advertisments for Lux Body Soap. I almost wished I had a second set of eyes and ears just so that i could take everything in! Its phenomenal! AFter supper  we then took a trip down Marine Drive and grabbed some icecream along the way. And man...that was some of the tastiest icecream ever. You  can even get Gajar Halwa or fresh lychee flavored ice....Nom nom nom.

Anywho...that's enough outta me for now...it's time to take on the jet lag!

Stay tuned for our next post!
- k
p.s... No gastrointestinal issues thus far!