Bombay The Hard Way

Hello all. First post from India. Where to start? Flew into Bombay at nite and left the next morning so I didn't get to see alot of it other than through car windows. However what I did see was almost undiscribeable, especially the poverty. Arrived on a hot steamy nite, wouldn't have it any other way. Chose a non air conditioned cab with insence burning inside. The traffic was an all out free-for-all, no real lanes, cars and cycles(carrying entire families) passing and cutting each other off and honking for honk's sake. Actually broke down and cried within 45 minutes of being in the country when, at a stop light, a little boy about six yrs old and filthy came up to the cab and started tapping me on the shoulder begging for money and making the sign to eat. It made me feel horrible. I wondered why I deserved to be born in the U.S. with a mother that gave me everything and more, even when she didin't have it, rather than on the streets of India begging for money and food. Arrived at the hotel Vishak was staying, which proved to be the polar opposite; a five star joint overlooking the Arabian sea. Seeing the kids after a trip like that was something special. I couldn't help think that it could have been them begging on the streets. The next day we stopped at some of Shak's old haunts before leaving to his family's beach house in Alibag. Alibag is very rural and quite primative. Major power shortages afford us electricity for only a few hours of each day and little hot water, sort of like camping but with a roof and caretakers that manage the place and cook every meal. We have tea at least three times a day. The palm groves and beach are beautiful. Spent a few days with Shak's mother, father, brother, sister in law, niece and nephew. They are all very special and they've taken me in as family. His father is incredible; eighty yrs old and spry as can be, does yoga every morning. We have great conversations and I love listening to him speak. Shacks nephew Priyom and I played cricket and soccer in the yard and on the beach. At nite when walking in the yard or going to pee, was told to watch for cobras, Russell's vipers, saw scaled vipers, and scorpions. One nite got buzzed by a giant fruit bat inches from my face, scared my to death, those bad boys are huge. Saw a dead sea snake on the beach, they come in with the tide to hunt crabs, extremely deadly. Every meal has been amazing, each one better than the next. I'm in Pune now at Shak's parents's compound. Again, arrived at nite so didn't get to see much yet. Attacked by a mosquito army last nite. Shak's brother and father are going to help me plan a flexible ittenerary and I'm planning on setting out on my own in the next couple of days. So much to see and do, feel like I don't have enough time. Things will work themselves out. Acha, untill next time. Fast lane
It's a jungle out there
Bombay express mail service
Old Bombay
Anopheles mosquito, notice the stripes, malaria coming atcha Shak
Fruit market, Sadanand calling the shots, he's the man
Bombay flats, some of the most expensive real estate in Asia, doesn't look like it because they get worked by the typhoons
Heavy traffic; Alibag


The Das family plus 1 new edition

Tracy getting mobbed by school children, she got extra attention everywhere, maybe it's the blonde hair and fair skin, ya think
Playa Alibag
Das mannor @ Alibag, beware creatures
Shantys outside of Bombay, went on for miles, tugs at the heart
Fish market, stinky fishy, flies galore