Bombay…I stayed with my aunt in Bombay, which is a different experience than if I would have stayed in a hotel. I had a “home to come back to”, while Cheryl and Barb stayed at the Y.  Hence for me it was interesting to see how different we experienced the city. For them three days were more than enough, for me I barely began exploring.

Funny experience happened to me in the whole time we were there…certain musings were running through my mind…below is a sample of what came to me as we were walking in the city…please remember I was only there for a two minute visit (my aunts’ description of my visit to Bombay), and so below are simply some of what came to me…non is meant in judgment for good or bad

Bombay…how does one even begin to describe this mad and crazy city?

I knew I was going to love you before I ever entered your gates.

Although I do wonder if I am in love with being in love with you

Ah Bombay you had me before I even said hello.

You crazy, mad hazy polluted city

Your streets were dirty and

your energy raw.

Paan spit in every corner eating at the cement in rusty red,

And through the windows the saris gleamed and twinkled.

Your women were more beautiful

and elegant than I knew.

Teeming with all shades of brown

I felt at home.

So full of promise and so elusive

You are colonial, graceful and vulgar.

Your rich loved children in perfect starched uniforms while

your undesired were dirty naked begging on the street

Oh and the buildings…I don’t think the British meant to leave

Bombay you seduce and you kick

You embrace and you spit

You laugh and you cry

Bitter tears of sorrow

But you did enchant me and I will be back.

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The third day we spent in Bombay we went to an island called Elephanta Island. The island has caves that were carved by hand and are thought to have been created between 450 and 750 AD.  They were magnificent. Here we were about an hour out of Bombay, by a slow boat, on this adorable island with crazy monkeys and amazing carvings, which sadly were ruined by the Portuguese.

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