I want to tell you about Mumbai, the magical city that I travelled to for a month long stay in the summer of 2012. I've wanted to tell you about it since the second I started this blog. I've tried to tell you about it, I've started at least half a dozen drafts. The problem is, words cannot describe it. Even photos don't do it justice. If you really want to know what it looks like, smells like, sounds like and feels like, you're just going to have to travel there yourself.

Despite the above, I'm still going to try. If I had to describe Mumbai in one sentence, it would be a city of contrasts; colourful, grey, rich, poor, beautiful, ugly, quiet, noisy, calm, chaotic.


Colourful. There are so many colours everywhere. Religious statues decorated with orange and yellow flower garlands. Women walking down the street in pink and purple saris. Fresh fruit and vegetable, spanning every colour of the rainbow, scattered across market stalls.


Grey. Some buildings and views lack any colour at all. This was the view from the balcony of  my hotel room. A washed out building; black, white and grey.


Rich. Mumbai is home to some of the wealthiest people on earth. In fact, it is home to the most expensive house in the world; a staff of 600 are responsible for the 27 floors that make up the Antilia. There are 5* hotels, upmarket restaurants and exclusive nightclubs.


Poor. At the other extreme, many people do not even have a roof over their heads. Everywhere you go there are people sleeping in the streets and others begging for money. It amazed me that children as young as three and four instantly recognized white people as a target for begging, but I soon realized that this is their way of surviving.


Beautiful. There are so many grand buildings, picturesque landscapes and exquisitely decorated temples. Just look at the sink these cows get to drink out of!


Ugly. Then there is the rubbish; strewn across beaches and piled up outside markets. Yes, that is piles of rubbish across the shoreline that you can see in the photo above, and that was far from the only area that looked like this.


Quiet. If you head out of the city or visit one of the parks contained within it, all you'll be able to hear is the birds and the wind rushing through the trees.


Noisy. Everywhere else, there's a lot of noise. Despite the signs, there's no stopping the car horns. Every driver wants to be heard, most of the time for no apparent reason.


Relaxing. There are several places to escape the madness and get away from it all, from spas and pools to parks and beaches.


Chaotic. The city is mostly chaotic. Crossing the road can be a little challenging, with cars everywhere and people weaving in and out of them. Just walking on the pavement, with people everywhere, can be quite difficult. This picture might not look to chaotic, but when you realize there are ten children in that car, you'll see what I mean. You might not be able to see them all, but trust me, I counted!

How would you describe Mumbai?

PS. If you're going to India, check out these top tips for visiting the country.

13 comments :

  1. memographer28 February, 2014

    Great post, Catherine. Love how you highlighted the contrasts. Indeed India is the country of contrasts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine28 February, 2014

      Thanks :) I wish I'd had a chance to explore more of the country, but will definitely be returning in the future.

      Delete
  • Jen Weaver28 February, 2014

    I like you choice of pictures in your post. Even in the first one I can pieces of all the ways you describe your experience in Mumbai. Thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine28 February, 2014

      Thanks :) Took over a thousand photos there so had a lot to choose from!

      Delete
  • Mike28 February, 2014

    One of my close friends and also my co-worker is from India. He has told me it is incredibly beautiful once you get away from the cities. But, the inner chaos would likely be more than I would like. I seek for the more tranquil type of trip to unwind. Your pictures frame each description perfectly, Catherine! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine28 February, 2014

      I would have loved to have seen more of the countryside, will definitely be returning one day to do that!

      Delete
  • his little lady28 February, 2014

    What a beautiful place! I definitely hope to visit one day!
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine02 March, 2014

      It is wonderful, you should definitely go!

      Delete
  • Renuka03 March, 2014

    If I had to describe the city in one sentence, that would be MAGICAL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine03 March, 2014

      So true :)

      Delete
  • Amy (@Our Big Fat Travel Adventure)08 March, 2014

    Wow, a real city of contrasts, your words and pictures capture this really well. I hope we get over to India within the next year, something tells me I'm going to have to mentally prepare for the experience though; it sounds intense!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine08 March, 2014

      It is intense! It's very much a love it or hate it kind of place, but I'm definitely in the former category. Hope you love it as much as I did :)

      Delete
  • Susan Moore @SoloTrips23 June, 2014

    There are pros and cons to every place and it's beneficial to know some of the positives along with the negatives before visiting a place. The contrasts certainly keep it interesting. I am looking forward to visiting Mumbai in the future!

    ReplyDelete