Arrival in Mumbai…

Mike - After 18 hours of fly time we arrived in Mumbai. It went off without a hitch. The last leg from Heathrow was probably the worst, there were babies and kids all around us, crying and yelling, but it was manageable thanks to Apple.

We arrived shortly before midnight and didn’t make it to the hostel until right around 1am. We lucked out on a great hotel with awesome service close to the Gateway of India and the Taj hotel. It was unlisted in the Lonely Planet, so initially I was a little hesitant, but the service has been great and we’ve got a private bathroom. All in all, the last 24 hours has been very stress-free, and we’re finally here.

Tegan – Okay okay, so as I lie here in bed under the one sheet they provided us (which is more than enough because temps here right now, at night, are 30 degrees) my mind is searching for the best words to use to describe the experience thus far.

As we left the airport and prepaid a cab service to take us to Colaba Causeway, that experience on the road to our hotel is one I will never forget. Maybe road isn’t even the best word, since at times we were driving on a make-shift of cements and gravel and debris of every kind. Driving on the left side initially did feel awkward, but not in comparison to the lack of lanes and cluster. As we drove further and further from the airport, the streets tidied to the point where lanes were visible, yet not followed; and roads were roads. Traffic lights came much later in the drive, and meant nothing. Honking seems to be the way of communication around here, rather than as some vulgar after-thought. As much as it was incredibly scary at times – the constant weaving – I some how found it thrilling that this cab driver was at such ease, while at times what was a 3 lane road became a 4, turning was a first come first serve basis…the list is endless. Haha, so the drive itself tells me much about Mumbai thus far, the sights along the way are a whole other beast we must share, but at a later time.

Here’s a picture of our trusty lil taxi… We arrived at night, so there wasn’t an opportunity for any photo ops. We’ll post more after our first day in Mumbai!!!