Scenes of Mumbai

Inspired (and put to shame) by Ryan's up-to-date blog and many great pictures of Osaka, I finally got around to posting a few images of my own. These are some scenes from my everyday life, enjoy! See next blog entry for pictures of yours truly.

Bandra Train Station-

outside of which i paid $2.50 Cdn for a dvd of all 4 of the Harry Potter movies, that unfortunately, and predictably, doesn't work

Linking Road (Bandra) the land of vendors and rickshaws.

"no thank you, i don't think i will purchase a bronze statue of ganesh on impulse as I am sitting in this rickshaw waiting for a greenlight. but thanks anyway. now leave me alone"

Bus Conductor - Ticket Wallah

Ada, Anita & Jayashree at YUVA Office, Parel

Parel Street Corner

Saree Partee!

My first Saree, it was an impulse purchase, so its not the greatest thing. I want to eventually get a silk saree with the really intricate embroidery. But here are some pic's of me in a saree, along with some of my good friends here.

Stacie and I at her party

Stacie, my first friend in Bombay and hindi buddy

Gila's neighbour Preity who helped me get ready

Mickey and I at the party

mickey lets me ride on the back of his motorcycle

Gila and I getting ready at her house

My regular hang out buddy, super sweet, though sadly, does not eat meat. (though nor does mickey and stacie)

On the train ride to Versova - stares, stares and more stares.

The day of the Albino Mickey Mouse

Today celebrates the 50th death anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the famous leader of the untouchables in the early 20th century. On my way to the office, there was a massive line which I think leads to Shivaji Park (located a good 25 minutes walk away) where a ceremony is being held in his honor. I was both amused and impressed by the line police who carried wooden sticks to "discipline" people back in the queue.
My bus got detoured halfway so I had to walk through a big procession of horse drawn carriages holding images of the beloved leader, and the horses struggling helplessly in their jeweled masks. It was looking all Indian until I reached the front of the parade, lead by 5 people in inflatable costumes of animated characters: an elephant, a green dinosaur, Spiderman, Pikachu and Mickey Mouse’s albino cousin. (I think if Doraemon was among the party, it would have made my day). Unfortunately I did not have a camera.
Ooooh, in other news, I am having my first Salwaar Kameez and Sari blouse made. The ladies at my work are so excited that we are going to have Sari Day when we can all come in our saris! I will make sure to take my camera along, and not ride on a motorcycle, especially not one without a sari guard.

Optimism is Key

All in all, it was a fairly calm week. However I did make a dramatic step in my plan to get into shape. That’s right, I got me a membership to the gym. I even managed to wake up early one day to work out before work – anyone who knows me at all should be deeply impressed….and be taking bets that it won’t last until christmas. After 4 months of resistance, I was also in dire need of a hair cut. Gila with her jewish curls and me with my fobulously straight hair, were really not impressed by the sneaky indian hair dressers who tricked us into thinking they know what they are doing. I miss Michael my fobulous hair stylist from Scarborough.
Recently there was a scandalous affair in the community I work with and it has generated some serious impact on our operations. In the same week, we got a really good story in the local newspaper that brought in a lot of interest and calls. We are definitely feeling torn between moving ahead and waiting for things to calm down. Under such conditions where nothing can really be done, I just want to take a big nap. That said, I feel optimistic that this affair will soon blow over.
In other news, Paul and Connie are taking yet another trip (however not to India) for the holidays. Though if they can survive Mexico City, which is comparable in terms of population and level of development, perhaps Bombay wouldn’t be so out of the question. O what fun – the Chan’s taking on India!

* Recently I'm really noticing a lack of creative activities in my life, not that I'm a particularly creative person... but I am really missing my Live Drawing class. boohoo!