New York to Heathrow to Mumbai is quite the undertaking. We left NY at 6:25 PM on 10/8 and arrived at the Y on 10/10/10. We had arranged for transportation from the airport through the YWCA, but none appeared. So we arranged for a prepaid taxi at the airport at a substantial savings over the charges the Y quoted. The airport is quite a distance from Mumbai Central and it took a long time to get into the city. That was with no traffic in the middle of the night. And with ignoring traffic signals like red lights. We, and everyone else just barreled on through. The cab driver, who said he knew where it was stopped to ask for directions several times. Exhausted and happy to have arrived, our luggage was promptly unloaded and the driver left. Well, our reservations were at the YWCA. Another cab was called, this time a car instead of a little van. Luggage was loaded on top and off we went again. Turned out we had passed it during our previous search. Even with two cabs with tips and two sets of porters to tip, it still cost less that the reserved ride. Got to bed at 5:00AM and up at 8:00AM.
The weather, as described by our pilot, is typical Bombay; hazy, hot and humid. It did clear up for chunks of today in time for beautiful views of India Gate on the Bay of Bengal.
Breakfast at the Y was simple and adequate. As long as there is porridge, I am happy. The room is adequate; clean, air conditioned, private bath. There was no top sheet, just a light coverlet thing, and I was glad to have a shaw of Erica's from her first India trip. I am very much looking forward to our next hotel venue at the Pride in Nagpur.
After breakfast we ventured out for some light shopping. Margaret was quickly adopted by a young beggar woman with a child in tow. She spent a good two hours trailing, leading, and beseeching us. Finally, Margaret negotiated a "tip" and we were left in peace.
Lois and I bought 11 silk scarves for the mela we are planning for our church. Negotiating started at 550 rs and ended at 250 rs with one extra scarf thrown in. So we will be able to sell them for $10.00 and make a nice profit. the pashmina price dropped from $150.00 to $40.00,but we didn't want to invest that much in any items that might not sell. I do plan to buy one or two for myself or gifts and now have a good idea of price. Some more walking through crowded streets with hawkers calling out and we were ready for a break.
The cafe we went to turned out to be the first restaurant to reopen after the bombings in MumbAi in 2008. We ladies had mango lahassis and Jimmy a diet coke. then back out for a while until we were all ready to drop. We had planned to go to the Taj for high tea and decided to go there for a drink before tea, which we did to our mutual delight. In addition to the g&t, I ordered a calamari appetizer; the best ever; fresh, hot, lightly crisped and beautifully seasoned. We sat by a window overlooking the India Gate and Bay of Bengal. Throngs of brightly clad folks were enjoying the day with photograph, postcard, peacock feather, drum and balloon salesman touting their wares. It was cool and beautiful. Then on to tea where we sat on an enclosed veranda, again with the view of the Bay. This time we also got to watch a group of florists decorating a doorway in all white roses, orchids, etc. The tea was lovely as one would expect, with a big surprise. there was a lovely presentation of tiramisu in small teacups, light and fluffy and rich like a mousse. I have never liked a tiramisu better than what I make at home, but this was the all out winner. When our waiter learned it was my birthday he said he was so sorry he did not know earlier so that he could be bring me a cake, but it was too late and the kitchen was closed. A while later he came back with a lovely bouquet of roses and orchids for me.
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