ON THE STREETS, Mumbai

(Here's an email we received from Bandra, Bombay)

Hey! there,

It's parade and festival time in the Queen of Suburbs, BANDRA!! We're hving the 3rd edition of the 'Celebrate Bandra' festival which began on Sat. 17th Nov (2007). and will carry on for 16 days with cultural programmes EVERYDAY on all the 3 promenades i.e. Carter Road, Bandstand, Bandra Reclamation and the Taj Land's End ampitheatre. Stilt walkers, fire-eaters, dancers, cyclists, cheerleaders, singers, koli dancers, NGOs, Marching bands, (including 'tapori' bands!) Giant floats wound their way frm St. Andrews College to Carter Rd where the parade ended. The streets were closed to traffic and taken over by people who mingled together from all religions – caste and class no bar!! Simply unimaginable!! The dance performance by the drag queens of Bandra was saucy and hilarious (without the clapping and hai, hai!!)

How I wish u guys were here! The jazz and the blues, magic shows, theatre, food festivals, cultural dances and events etc. etc. – u would have loved the desi, ethnic flavour of it all. Despite the crowds, no pushing, jostling, shooting, guns, lechers. Everyone comfortably seated on chairs or on the promenades just having a good time. For 16 days nobody will think about garbage, slums etc. on the gaily decorated streets of Bandra.

Yes – Indians are one of the happiest people in the world. The size of the pocket may be important – but not as important as the size of our hearts!! And Bandra is all heart!

Log on to the website www.celebratebandra.net for more information; Check when the next festival is due so u can plan yr future visits accordingly.

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The sugarcane stall is along almost every major road in Mumbai. Sugarcane juice is very popular in many parts of Asia and there's a special machine used to drain the juice off the sugarcane. It is quite amusing to watch if you haven't seen it before. I love how the sugarcane is placed on the sides of the stall...how classic! Fancy quenching your thirst? Try some natural sugar!

This little barber cum shaving parlour caught my eye I just had to take a photo of it. Look at how pleased the barber is smiling for the camera and his customer desperately trying to look my way while he's got foam all over his face...LOL! Loves it!

I know it's hot and humid but can't they be a bit more subtle about it? LOL! Indian men just can't keep their hands off their willies! You can be asking for directions and the bloke goes touching his privates while talking to you...Very cheeky!

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To use the term "Street Vendors" is a little awkward in Bombay - anything and everything is sold on the streets. Most of the vendors have little stalls that are directly on the street or bordering the street. As a visitor - don't be afraid - it's OK to buy things on the street, just don't forget to haggle about the price. (Yes, of course, if you are from a Western country - watch out what you eat.)

Try the roasted nuts or the corn on the cob - both coming straight out of the fire and coals, which gives it a special flavor.

What was particularly interesting about this picture of the smiling Indian gent selling his nuts :P ... was that the photograph was clicked in a primary Hindu locality (Maharashtrian), but still had a huge crucifix of Jesus right on the corner of the street ... mingling of varied cultures and religions happens right there?

Start by having an idli sambar / medu vade made fresh in one of the many udipi restaurants or street vendors . { Famous Udipi joints - Status - Nariman Point , Kamat - Colaba , Sri Krishna - Opera House/ Grant Rd. } For a maharashtrian breakfast head to Bi - Tambe at Thakurdwar ( off charni rd ) where you can sample fresh misal and kanda pohe with a sp. ginger lemon drink. For lunch try having chaas ( thin lassi ) or nimbu paani with a western fusion roll of spicy chicken available at churchgate station , or any Tibbs outlet ( colaba , breach candy , etc) . For dinner head to one of mumbais speciality Sardar - Pav bhaji at Tardeo . His butter packed pav bhaji is quite a mouth full !!

Sitting in a car in Mumbai can sometimes be worrisome and amusing.
Worrisome because they're driving like crazy...moving from one lane to the other and dabbing other cars without creating accidents.
Amusing because they are using the horn every second, for nothing. Actually I didin't understand if using the horn there means "please go, don't worry" or "you #€%#!"

Try not to be shocked by the multitudinous beggars... women shoving their babies in the taxi window, people with terrible deformities... you'll see it, and eventually numb (sad as that may be) somewhat.

If you dress in the local attire, you're less likely to be pestered too much. However, even when I was wearing salwar kameez, no makeup, etc., I was nearly constantly hounded for money or to buy something or whatever. It was exhausting!