The crazy rooster is crowing and it is 4pm IST. Why does the rooster crow now? Yes - it is time for the next shift to get up and ready. I will be picked up within the next 2 hours to go to work. This is my last week in Mumbai. I have enjoyed everything about my stay. WAIT! I am not going there yet.
Back to the daily weather report.
As Massachusetts is getting ready for the next snow storm, Mumbai is a perfect 80 degrees F with a light breeze. The sun and clouds are in the sky. The birds are flying lazily in the sky searching for the next food source. I hear the horns but not the crows. The crows are quiet at this time. Are they finally going to be quiet? Really!
Yesterday afternoon Rohit with his mother and sister, Rachna, picked me up to meet up with Shanawaz, Sana and Yaamin at the Bandra Bandstand and Bandra Fort. While Rohit was driving to Bandra Bandstand he called Shanawaz 3 times to ask where he was. If this was not enough (BUS-KAR), he stopped and asked directions 5 TIMES to 5 different people on the street. The people would tell him to continuing STRAIGHT (SID - HE). His next question to everyone was RIGHT or LEFT. What! Really! The people would say STRAIGHT (SID - HE). You know there is a GPS built into the cell or mobile phones. Also, Rachna was telling him the same thing in the backseat, but Rohit would not listen to his own sister. He has to learn women know many things. I know the area we were in because I had been there on Saturday with Khatija. I told him he took a wrong turn and was heading to Mount St. Mary's Basilica. So - the U-turn in the middle of the street and down we went. Finally, we made it to the Bandstand and Fort and found Shanawaz and his family. When is Straight not Straight? When you are giving directions to Rohit!
When you read Bandstand what do you think of? American Bandstand with Dick Clark for the people born in the early 1970's and earlier (Google it everyone else) or a raised structure in the middle of a grassy area where a band plays. The Bandra Bandstand is neither.of these. Bandra Fort was built in the 1500's by the Portuguese explorers. The Bandra Bandstand came later. It is now located in one of the most affluent areas of Mumbai. There is a beautiful garden area with trees, bushes and flowers. There are benches which are occupied by couples holding each other. It is wonderful to see so many people "in love". There is a grassy area with families standing and sitting. The young children are playing and running in this area. The pier extends out to the Arabian Sea. There is a beachfront and jagged rocks. We climbed the staircase to get a better view of the Arabian Sea.. By this time Shahbaaz appeared. He is such a sweet young man. (Sorry I teased him so much last night. I am becoming the techs.) The stairs were not of equal height, so Shahbaaz and Shanawaz assisted me. When we were at the top I turned and saw the beautiful Arabian Sea all the way to the horizon. The sea shimmered blue with the rays of sun dancing on the surface. The light waves were pushing towards the pier and beach. The waves were gently slapping the sand and rocks. There was a light breeze blowing. The gate to the garden area was locked at the top of the steps, so we headed down. Again Shahbaaz was there for me. There were people sitting on the walls on either side of the stairs. They were reading, talking or admiring the beautiful view of the sea and how endless and peaceful it looked.
When we made it to the bottom (were we started) there was a man selling spicy cornflakes with sweet onions, lemon juice and a sauce squirted on it. It was delicious. I have to ask the name of the snack. Unique combination to have corn flakes and spice. The man had small pieces of paper which he quickly made into a cone and put the mixture into it. I was amazed at the sight. The spice of the corn flake with the sweetness of the onion was a perfect combination. One observation about eating style in Mumbai. Everyone eats so fast. I am halfway through my meal and most everyone is done. I hope the people feel I do not like the food. I have learned to eat slowly to enjoy the food and company.
We headed back to Rohit's and Shanawaz's cars. Shanawaz took the lead. Rohit came up to the side of Shanawaz's car and to my surprise I see detailing on the side of his car. Shanawaz! Wow! I am learning more and more about this man. The detailing was flames. They were on either side of the car. It is a family car with the notion of being a "hot rod". He told me that it came with the car when he bought it. We were heading towards the Gateway of India. It was about 1 hour from Bandra. So off we went. Rohit had lost Shanawaz a couple times, so what happened next. Rohit stopped and asked for directions. Guess what the word was - Straight. And his response Right or Left. He stopped only twice. We caught up to Shanawaz's blue car with flames on the side. (Still makes me laugh!)
We were at a traffic light waiting to take a left. All of a sudden, the police flags Shanawaz over to the side. Oh my goodness! What is happening? Rohit pulls into a parking lot down the street. We were waiting. I told Rohit not to call. It took a little while . Why Shanawaz and not anyone else taking same left. I had asked him what the offense was. He was told by the police office that he took a left turn from the wrong lane. I am thinking - "What lanes?". There were many vehicles doing the same thing, but Shanawaz with his rebel flame decals on the side of the car was pulled over. He had to either surrender his license or pay the officer 100 Rupees. 100 Rupees less in the wallet and off we are again to the Gateway of India.
We are waiting to enter through the metal detector and Yaamin (15 months old) finally allowed me to hold him. He is the sweetest little boy. He loves cars and anything that moves. He is so inquisitive. He wants to see the entire world around him. He was playing Peek-a-Boo with me. He is Papa's little boy. He loves being with his Papa. It is so wonderful the bond between Shanawaz and Yaamin. Shanawaz shows his love for his son and wife, Sana, to everyone who takes time to notice it. I told Sana that children see their Mothers as the strict one and Fathers as the fun one. Fathers come home after work and play with the children while Mothers have keep the house and children.
The Gateway of India is a beautiful structure on the Arabian Sea. It was not completely lit up but it was still amazing. The British built this structure. All of us went on a ferry ride around the Arabian Sea. We had to go down even steps to get on the boat. At that point I had to get on the boat which was fine. I had to walk a narrow passage to get to the front of the ferry. Let me point out my right ankle is fused, so I have no range of motion to easily climb or walk on uneven surfaces. I had to take my pant leg and lift it up the little wall to get to the front of the ferry and sit down. I am extremely stubborn and prideful. I was told by the ferry crew that I had to go to the front. I took a moment and surveyed the options. Lifting my foot/leg with my left hand to get over the little wall was the best option. I hate (truly hate) causing anyone else not to do something because of the my limitation. We are sitting on the ferry and it takes us out in the Arabian Sea. The cool night air is lightly blowing around us. The lights of Mumbai are all around us. It was so peaceful. The music was playing and Yaamin was dancing. It is wonderful that the young will dance with their hearts. The older dance using their minds and are aware of everyone around them. The latter is me.
Now the ferry is docked and it is time for all of us to get off. I had not thought that far ahead and now it was time. The ferry is next to the steps we had get off. Everyone is jumping from the ferry onto the steps. Now the wooden benches on the ferry were knee high. I had to lift my right foot with my hand again to get to stand on the wooden benches. The next thing was to bend or duck not to hit your head to get to the step. I had the plan for the bench, but did not have a plan for exiting the ferry gracefully. I get very frustrated with myself when I cannot figure the next step. I always try to think ahead and know the plan before I get there. I had no confidence in myself to take the step from the bench to the steps which was slightly higher than knee high. After the first try I told everyone to wait and I had to think. A few seconds later Shanawaz is extending his hand to me with Yaamin in his other arm. I cannot remember if it was Sana or Shanawaz but I grabbed a hand and I was off the ferry. Just 1 bruise. I admit now I was embarrassed because I had to ask for assistance.
We walked to the Gateway to look at it close up. There were statues of 2 prominent men. I cannot remember their names. After this we starting heading back to the entrance. Rohit and Shsnawaz went to get the cars. Sana and I had a chance to talk. Shanawaz is a lucky man to have a wonderful woman. She is a great person. At this point Rohit and his family were heading home, so I gave a hug to Rohit's Mom and off they went. I went with Shahbaaz in Shanawaz's flame car.
We went to eat at a really nice restaurant. Shanawaz ordered the food. There was a lamb sausage which was delicious. Chicken dishes and a sizzler plate. To me Sizzler brings me back to my childhood (again). It was a very inexpensive steak restaurant. It no longer is in business. The waiter brings a sizzling plate and serves all of us. Now I have eaten a Sizzler. Thank you Shanawaz and Shahbaaz. We had Roti and chicken biryani as well. Oh - there was another chicken dish with sauce. Little Yaamin is getting restless at this point. He is a strong-willed person. Shanawaz was able to complete his dinner and he took Yaamin so Sana could finish hers. I remember those days with the children and working as a team to accomplish a family dinner. They work great as a team.
Shahbaaz took a cab back to his family's home, so the 4 of us are off in the blue car with flame detailing on the sides.
Shanawaz was driving and all of a sudden the traffic came to a stop. This is nothing new for Mumbai. This was a police check point. Guess who got pulled over - Yes Shanawaz. Really twice in 4 hours. He was not speeding and there was not left turns to be in the wrong lane. He had to get out of the car. Yaamin was sleeping on Sana's lap (there is no such thing as child car seats in India) and I am in the backseat. The police officer and Shanawaz are standing in the front of the car and the police office points at something. They begin to walk around the car. Sana and I are talking in the car while this is going on. It was taking a long time, but Shanawaz comes back to the car with flames 100 Rupees less in his wallet. There is a number missing on the license plate. He knew this but did not realize it was a police offense. Now we all know! What is the lesson here everyone? Make sure your license plate is perfect or you will have 100 less Rupees in your wallet.
Let us take a moment and figure this out...For him to take his family out with me it has cost him 200 Rupees in traffic fines. The first one with to the office the second one he got a receipt. You need to have a lot of Rupees in your wallet when driving through Mumbai. Always be prepared.
Sana and I were teasing Shanawaz that his face must not be so innocent. I believe it was the flames on the sides of the car. Does Shanawaz really have a criminal face? Women can cry and flash their eyes at an office (at least in the US), but men have no recourse. As we are driving towards my apartment, there was another Police checkpoint. Guess who got stopped again. Yes! Shanawaz. Really did he have a sign on his car telling the police to pull me over. He rolled his window down. The police office asked him his name. He said "Shanawaz, sir." and the office said ok. That was close. We were allowed to go on.
I always thought the soft-spoken easy-going Shanawaz had an innocent face. Last night, I found the Mumbai police did not agree with me.
We made it back to my apartment without any other interactions with the Mumbai police force. The afternoon and night were a great adventure. I want to thank Rohit and his family, Shanawaz and his family and Shahbaaz for taking their Sunday and making my last Sunday in Mumbai a great one.
Back to the daily weather report.
As Massachusetts is getting ready for the next snow storm, Mumbai is a perfect 80 degrees F with a light breeze. The sun and clouds are in the sky. The birds are flying lazily in the sky searching for the next food source. I hear the horns but not the crows. The crows are quiet at this time. Are they finally going to be quiet? Really!
Yesterday afternoon Rohit with his mother and sister, Rachna, picked me up to meet up with Shanawaz, Sana and Yaamin at the Bandra Bandstand and Bandra Fort. While Rohit was driving to Bandra Bandstand he called Shanawaz 3 times to ask where he was. If this was not enough (BUS-KAR), he stopped and asked directions 5 TIMES to 5 different people on the street. The people would tell him to continuing STRAIGHT (SID - HE). His next question to everyone was RIGHT or LEFT. What! Really! The people would say STRAIGHT (SID - HE). You know there is a GPS built into the cell or mobile phones. Also, Rachna was telling him the same thing in the backseat, but Rohit would not listen to his own sister. He has to learn women know many things. I know the area we were in because I had been there on Saturday with Khatija. I told him he took a wrong turn and was heading to Mount St. Mary's Basilica. So - the U-turn in the middle of the street and down we went. Finally, we made it to the Bandstand and Fort and found Shanawaz and his family. When is Straight not Straight? When you are giving directions to Rohit!
When you read Bandstand what do you think of? American Bandstand with Dick Clark for the people born in the early 1970's and earlier (Google it everyone else) or a raised structure in the middle of a grassy area where a band plays. The Bandra Bandstand is neither.of these. Bandra Fort was built in the 1500's by the Portuguese explorers. The Bandra Bandstand came later. It is now located in one of the most affluent areas of Mumbai. There is a beautiful garden area with trees, bushes and flowers. There are benches which are occupied by couples holding each other. It is wonderful to see so many people "in love". There is a grassy area with families standing and sitting. The young children are playing and running in this area. The pier extends out to the Arabian Sea. There is a beachfront and jagged rocks. We climbed the staircase to get a better view of the Arabian Sea.. By this time Shahbaaz appeared. He is such a sweet young man. (Sorry I teased him so much last night. I am becoming the techs.) The stairs were not of equal height, so Shahbaaz and Shanawaz assisted me. When we were at the top I turned and saw the beautiful Arabian Sea all the way to the horizon. The sea shimmered blue with the rays of sun dancing on the surface. The light waves were pushing towards the pier and beach. The waves were gently slapping the sand and rocks. There was a light breeze blowing. The gate to the garden area was locked at the top of the steps, so we headed down. Again Shahbaaz was there for me. There were people sitting on the walls on either side of the stairs. They were reading, talking or admiring the beautiful view of the sea and how endless and peaceful it looked.
When we made it to the bottom (were we started) there was a man selling spicy cornflakes with sweet onions, lemon juice and a sauce squirted on it. It was delicious. I have to ask the name of the snack. Unique combination to have corn flakes and spice. The man had small pieces of paper which he quickly made into a cone and put the mixture into it. I was amazed at the sight. The spice of the corn flake with the sweetness of the onion was a perfect combination. One observation about eating style in Mumbai. Everyone eats so fast. I am halfway through my meal and most everyone is done. I hope the people feel I do not like the food. I have learned to eat slowly to enjoy the food and company.
We headed back to Rohit's and Shanawaz's cars. Shanawaz took the lead. Rohit came up to the side of Shanawaz's car and to my surprise I see detailing on the side of his car. Shanawaz! Wow! I am learning more and more about this man. The detailing was flames. They were on either side of the car. It is a family car with the notion of being a "hot rod". He told me that it came with the car when he bought it. We were heading towards the Gateway of India. It was about 1 hour from Bandra. So off we went. Rohit had lost Shanawaz a couple times, so what happened next. Rohit stopped and asked for directions. Guess what the word was - Straight. And his response Right or Left. He stopped only twice. We caught up to Shanawaz's blue car with flames on the side. (Still makes me laugh!)
We were at a traffic light waiting to take a left. All of a sudden, the police flags Shanawaz over to the side. Oh my goodness! What is happening? Rohit pulls into a parking lot down the street. We were waiting. I told Rohit not to call. It took a little while . Why Shanawaz and not anyone else taking same left. I had asked him what the offense was. He was told by the police office that he took a left turn from the wrong lane. I am thinking - "What lanes?". There were many vehicles doing the same thing, but Shanawaz with his rebel flame decals on the side of the car was pulled over. He had to either surrender his license or pay the officer 100 Rupees. 100 Rupees less in the wallet and off we are again to the Gateway of India.
We are waiting to enter through the metal detector and Yaamin (15 months old) finally allowed me to hold him. He is the sweetest little boy. He loves cars and anything that moves. He is so inquisitive. He wants to see the entire world around him. He was playing Peek-a-Boo with me. He is Papa's little boy. He loves being with his Papa. It is so wonderful the bond between Shanawaz and Yaamin. Shanawaz shows his love for his son and wife, Sana, to everyone who takes time to notice it. I told Sana that children see their Mothers as the strict one and Fathers as the fun one. Fathers come home after work and play with the children while Mothers have keep the house and children.
The Gateway of India is a beautiful structure on the Arabian Sea. It was not completely lit up but it was still amazing. The British built this structure. All of us went on a ferry ride around the Arabian Sea. We had to go down even steps to get on the boat. At that point I had to get on the boat which was fine. I had to walk a narrow passage to get to the front of the ferry. Let me point out my right ankle is fused, so I have no range of motion to easily climb or walk on uneven surfaces. I had to take my pant leg and lift it up the little wall to get to the front of the ferry and sit down. I am extremely stubborn and prideful. I was told by the ferry crew that I had to go to the front. I took a moment and surveyed the options. Lifting my foot/leg with my left hand to get over the little wall was the best option. I hate (truly hate) causing anyone else not to do something because of the my limitation. We are sitting on the ferry and it takes us out in the Arabian Sea. The cool night air is lightly blowing around us. The lights of Mumbai are all around us. It was so peaceful. The music was playing and Yaamin was dancing. It is wonderful that the young will dance with their hearts. The older dance using their minds and are aware of everyone around them. The latter is me.
Now the ferry is docked and it is time for all of us to get off. I had not thought that far ahead and now it was time. The ferry is next to the steps we had get off. Everyone is jumping from the ferry onto the steps. Now the wooden benches on the ferry were knee high. I had to lift my right foot with my hand again to get to stand on the wooden benches. The next thing was to bend or duck not to hit your head to get to the step. I had the plan for the bench, but did not have a plan for exiting the ferry gracefully. I get very frustrated with myself when I cannot figure the next step. I always try to think ahead and know the plan before I get there. I had no confidence in myself to take the step from the bench to the steps which was slightly higher than knee high. After the first try I told everyone to wait and I had to think. A few seconds later Shanawaz is extending his hand to me with Yaamin in his other arm. I cannot remember if it was Sana or Shanawaz but I grabbed a hand and I was off the ferry. Just 1 bruise. I admit now I was embarrassed because I had to ask for assistance.
We walked to the Gateway to look at it close up. There were statues of 2 prominent men. I cannot remember their names. After this we starting heading back to the entrance. Rohit and Shsnawaz went to get the cars. Sana and I had a chance to talk. Shanawaz is a lucky man to have a wonderful woman. She is a great person. At this point Rohit and his family were heading home, so I gave a hug to Rohit's Mom and off they went. I went with Shahbaaz in Shanawaz's flame car.
We went to eat at a really nice restaurant. Shanawaz ordered the food. There was a lamb sausage which was delicious. Chicken dishes and a sizzler plate. To me Sizzler brings me back to my childhood (again). It was a very inexpensive steak restaurant. It no longer is in business. The waiter brings a sizzling plate and serves all of us. Now I have eaten a Sizzler. Thank you Shanawaz and Shahbaaz. We had Roti and chicken biryani as well. Oh - there was another chicken dish with sauce. Little Yaamin is getting restless at this point. He is a strong-willed person. Shanawaz was able to complete his dinner and he took Yaamin so Sana could finish hers. I remember those days with the children and working as a team to accomplish a family dinner. They work great as a team.
Shahbaaz took a cab back to his family's home, so the 4 of us are off in the blue car with flame detailing on the sides.
Shanawaz was driving and all of a sudden the traffic came to a stop. This is nothing new for Mumbai. This was a police check point. Guess who got pulled over - Yes Shanawaz. Really twice in 4 hours. He was not speeding and there was not left turns to be in the wrong lane. He had to get out of the car. Yaamin was sleeping on Sana's lap (there is no such thing as child car seats in India) and I am in the backseat. The police officer and Shanawaz are standing in the front of the car and the police office points at something. They begin to walk around the car. Sana and I are talking in the car while this is going on. It was taking a long time, but Shanawaz comes back to the car with flames 100 Rupees less in his wallet. There is a number missing on the license plate. He knew this but did not realize it was a police offense. Now we all know! What is the lesson here everyone? Make sure your license plate is perfect or you will have 100 less Rupees in your wallet.
Let us take a moment and figure this out...For him to take his family out with me it has cost him 200 Rupees in traffic fines. The first one with to the office the second one he got a receipt. You need to have a lot of Rupees in your wallet when driving through Mumbai. Always be prepared.
Sana and I were teasing Shanawaz that his face must not be so innocent. I believe it was the flames on the sides of the car. Does Shanawaz really have a criminal face? Women can cry and flash their eyes at an office (at least in the US), but men have no recourse. As we are driving towards my apartment, there was another Police checkpoint. Guess who got stopped again. Yes! Shanawaz. Really did he have a sign on his car telling the police to pull me over. He rolled his window down. The police office asked him his name. He said "Shanawaz, sir." and the office said ok. That was close. We were allowed to go on.
I always thought the soft-spoken easy-going Shanawaz had an innocent face. Last night, I found the Mumbai police did not agree with me.
We made it back to my apartment without any other interactions with the Mumbai police force. The afternoon and night were a great adventure. I want to thank Rohit and his family, Shanawaz and his family and Shahbaaz for taking their Sunday and making my last Sunday in Mumbai a great one.
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