Udaipur to Bombay (Mumbai)

Up really early this morning as we had to get to the airport to catch our flight to Bombay at 7:15AM.  Traffic was busy and I now realize why you have to get to the airport-- the security is really tight.  Everybody is checked and rechecked.  We arrived at the airport around 6:15 and spent most of the time checking in.  The flight was very uneventful on Jet Airways and we arrived in Bombay at 8:30AM only to be greeted by the traffic we had experienced in Delhi.  This traffic was a little more controlled as people stayed in somewhat lanes on the road.  Bombay has a population exceeding 18 million people and is now India's economic power base and her most industrialized city. 
While transferring to the Oberoi hotel, we experienced some of the elements and sights that have been associated with the city.  We stopped by the Dhobi Ghat  which is the city's open air laundry where "Dhobis" (washermen) attend to astounding quantity of washing in small open air cubicles rented out each day. Many of the people don't have washer and dryers and they collect the laundry from their household and return them a week later. It was unbelievable to see the amount of laundry piled on the washing stones and hung in order.

After leaving the laundry we went to the community of Dabbawallahs  (literally means "box person")
Each morning around 4000 dabbawallahs call on suburban housewives who pack a freshly cooked lunch into small circular aluminum or stainless steel containers - "dabbas".  Typically each dabbawallah collects 30-40 boxes, ranges them out on log poles, bicycle handlebars or decorated handcarts to the nearest railway station.

Here, he passes his lot to a fellow dabbawallah for an onward journey into the city and delivery to the consumer.  Over 100,000 lunches make their way daily across town to the breadwinner and back again.  The service which cost a few rupees a week, is a good example of the fine division of labor in Indai, reliable and efficient, for the dabbawallahs pride themselves on never losing a lunch.

We then were taken to the Oberoi,  Mumbai which is located in the city's prime business and shopping district of Nariman Point.  My deluxe suite (750 sq ft) overlooked the ocean on the 18th floor.  Unfortunately I did not even spend the night at I had to fly out in the early hours of the morning. 



After checking in we drove a short distance to one of Ventours local favorite restaurant called Trishna known for its seafood and the authentic recipes from the West coast of India.  Many of our hosts from Ventours met us here and explained the different types of food.  We had a wonderful time discussing what our favorite parts of the trip were and sharing notes with everybody. 



After about a 2 hour lunch and being up since 5A I was tired.  However, since this was our last chance to shop we did not want to give this up.  I bought a couple of scarves and a beautiful jacket and then went back to the room.  It was time to rest a little and then get ready for our last night of cocktails and dinner at the Indian restaurant in the hotel called Ziya.  This was our last chance to enjoy the Indian food.  Since I was going to be flying for 20 hours I decided not to eat too much.

After finding out the spa was open 24 hours (since people are coming and going all day and night long) I tried to make an appointment but I could not get one until midnight.  So I just relaxed in my room, read and got ready for my long flight.  About 12:30AM I left the hotel accompanied by my driver and another one of my companions who was going to Morocco.  This was the experience that I will never forget.  The traffic was absolutely horrendous and it took us over 90 minutes to get there.  Upon arriving at the airport the parking lot (or so they called it) was backed up and we could not even get close to the entrance.  Since we had a driver and guide, the guide got our luggage out and started guiding us to the front entrance.  There were so many people in lines I didn't think we would ever get into the airport.  I might say there were over 700 people waiting in line and not a straight line.  I had the luggage cart which was very hard to navigate.  Luckily we got in -- and come to find out-- only if you have a ticket or you are the type of guide we had-- were you able to come in.  Lines were long inside and finally my guide had to leave me after checking in.  You must get a baggage tag for every piece of luggage and do everything by the book--I was so glad to have my guide as you needed somebody who knew just what to do.  He left me at the immigration line which took another 90 minutes to go thru and then security.  All I can say is GET THERE EARLY!!!  Finally after all of this I boarded my Emirates flight only to find out that we had about 100 people that had not shown up at flight time.  Needless to say we waited and they did come and we had a full plane.  While I was waiting I wandered up to first class and here is what I found-- you have your own cubicle with a door you can shut --- I was sure tempted to stay there.

            

Don't I look like I belong here???

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Well I had to say good-bye to India but vowed I would be back.  Won't you join me next time?

 

It truly was a life changing experience for me and I want to share this with others.