Being a Mumbaiker

Mobile phones: 1
Mobile phone chargers: 0

The adjustment process happens gradually, but today I found myself floating swiftly through the traffic of people and vehicles. Gone are the days when I jerk suddenly to dodge the oncoming cab/bike/rickshaw/cow/dog. I have mastered the critical Mumbaiker ability to move gracefully through the tiny openings which appear out of nowhere at the final moment. I also find myself wagging my head at every stranger and to every question: what can I say? The head waggle is key.

Yesterday afternoon, we had to make a trip to the co-operative registrar and co-operative board to submit some documents. The train ride to VT station was rather unsettling. On my compartment, there was a woman beggar whose face was grotesquely disfigured: her lower lip melted into her chin, which melted into her neck, I tried hard not to stare. Then there was a one legged girl on crutches, carrying trays of little nik-naks to sell in the compartments. And of course at a time when I need it most, I found myself with absolutely no change smaller than a one hundred rupee note…

Anyway, upon arrival at the co-operative board, we were informed that "rules" got changed in August. We now need 750 members instead of 500 (which took long enough to gather) and the start up capital of 10 lakh rather than 1 lakh (one lakh = 100,000). And so instead of starting the capacity building process next week, we have to see if we can still proceed with forming the credit co-op, and how we can go about doing so. It’s a bit frustrating and discouraging, to finally have some work to start on (the capacity building part) and now it looks like I will have to wait. Patience is my Achilles’ heel…..

PS. Found another thing I love about Indians. As we were queuing for train tickets, some dude tried to rape the line… and I swear, before I even realized it happened, every man, woman and child yelled at him until he unwilling joined the end of the queue. Indians forever, Line rapists never, Down with Line Raping!!!