So a 12 hour train trip from goa to mumbai! but it had the advantage of costing only about 15NZD rather than 150, and the scenery was beautiful.
It seemed like there was forest the whole way, occasionally you would see a few thatch or concrete houses amongst the trees. I was pretty surprised about this seeing as there re 1billion people in India! But really there wasn't much in the way of humanity relative to nature until you got close to mumbai, there you could smell the river a mile away :p
But Mumbai is great!
The view from the roof top of the Intercontinental Hotel, where Woody performs 3 nights a week.
Sideways blue Woody
On Tuesday Woody and I went for a tour in Daravi slum. Another New Zealander who had just spent a few weeks at the illam, Mark, also met up with us there. Fascinating. It is actually an old (since the 1840's, very established economic powerhouse with people there from all over India. I always wondered if India recycled, but it seems like it is all done here. It was explained that the workers had fabricated their own plastic crushing, melting and strip making machines, which are ten chopped into pellets and resold. There were huge piles of sorted electronic plastics bottles and everything you could think of in sacks in these tiny two story hand made slum houses. OSH would have a total field day, with the fumes and sparks and noise, with no eye, ear, hand or mouth protection. but apparently when this equipment is supplied is is soon thrown away by the workers used to more freedom of movement. Next onto the oil and paint bottle recycling area, where they are boiled and rinsed, then banged onto shape again to be resold to the companies. Tis process can only be done about 3 or 4 times, so after this the metal is banged flat and used and wall and roofing material in the slum. brilliant.
It was a very varied place with different 'suburbs' with people from different states devoted to different industries (such as pottery, leather work). Also with muslim and hindu domestic areas which were obvious by little hanging flags; this has been since the religious riots in 1992 over a originally hindu site that muslims build a mosque on. Sigh. But now there is peace and people work together even if they don't live together.
We were taken through very narrow and low streets, more like corridors, where people would climb ladders up to their upstairs house. It was not hot even though it was all tin and concrete blocks, I guess because of the shadow everywhere. There was full electricity, but water and bathroom facilities were shared by a block, with water kept in very large blue plastic barrels outside houses.
We were not allowed to take photo's, which I'm really happy about. It felt far more respectful. The people were a mix of friendly and 'oh another tour, :p which is totally understandable I guess!
The women in the Hindu areas made papadoms which were dried on large woven baskets in the sun in more open areas. All the children go to school, but a child or baby can also be hired out after to beg by begging ringleaders!
If anyone comes to Mumbai, I really recommend doing this, so interesting to see and talk to people there. To be honest I had no real preconceptions about what a slum would be like, but I think this one is very unique with it's industriousness and important role in the economic life of Mumbai.
The rest of the Time here I've been hanging out with Woody, who has shown me some wonderful restaurants and regaled me with great mumbai stories, as well as hanging out with Mark and seeing the sites such as the art galleries and architecture which is beautiful and powerful ye-olde english style. Also really enjoyed going on long rambling walks through the main city and the great chats!
The Gateway to India, by King george and queen Mary
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