Mumbai Madness

From the peaceful rest of our boutique hotel in Goa to the madness of bustling Mumbai, our trip has been a whirlwind. Mumbai, or Bombay, is a energetic city bursting with activity. Our accommodations are luxurious and they provide serenity in the heart of this city of frenzy. As we stepped out the doors of our hotel in the morning, we were met with a myriad of sounds, smells, and sights. We dodged cars, bikes, people, and even cattle as we made our way through the streets. We weaved our way through the markets and bartered with the vendors selling spices, fruit, fabric, jewels, and anything else imaginable. As one traveler bargained with a vendor over a pashmina, he offered a date for tea as part of the negotiation. She politely declined. With bags full of saffron, saris, and Indian trinkets we found our way into Leopold's cafe for a lunch of masala curry and naan. Food is always fragrant and never bland in this country. The late afternoon was filled with continued exploration of the city streets and a cup a tea with a woman who lives in Mumbai. In the evening we took taxis to a venue that overlooked the city lights. Although beautiful, we couldn't help but notice the stark contrast of the gorgeous venue with the slums that were visible below. We were faced with the intense clash of wealthy and poor. Talk turned from light hearted to serious as we struggled to make sense of it all. When you are fortunate enough to enjoy some of the luxuries in this life, how do you deal with the poverty that is encountered? What is our role in all of this? We will continue the discussion as we experience India together.