Monday, April 26, 2010
Conquered (a part of)India at last!
I mean Mumbai, Bombay...
The last time when Z & I were in New Delhi, we had a tiff. I always wanted to see how India is like. And each time I go there, either nobody wants to go out or the day before there is a bombing...
So, when I see our roster, I was excited. Firstly, NOBODY will want our Indian flight. Secondly, we can take this opportunity to go out! Our first Indian flight, I'm all geared up to go out...
Z slept all the way... We missed the trip. I was so angry that I stormed out of the room.
This time around, he kept his promise. Despite being very tired, he forced himself to wake up for me! *muacks!
We went to their local bazaar, Linking Road. It is like our pasar malem.
Our journey there is a rough one. We took their local, Tuk Tuk, something like those you see in
Bangkok. The wind blowing in your face and the ray of sunlight shining directly in your eyes. I was twitching my eye, half open, half close...
Sounds beautiful...
But its actually... dust blowing directly at you, the dirty air surrounding you and the constant horning sound of the cars.
In India, the cars (especially the bigger vehicle) will have a notice just above their car plate (rear end) that says, "HORN PLEASE. NO SIGNAL."
They encourage motorist to horn. NOBODY bothers to even signal. If they want to cut through the lanes, they just horn. Imagine the constant traffic jam, the horning... It is deafening, somewhat irritating.
So the next time you see an Indian horning their car, please forgive them. It is in their culture!
It was an eye-opening experience for me. Being an urban kid, leaving in a city I have never seen kampungs except in television. The setting of the show "Slum dog millionaire", lay before me.
I was amazed. For a moment, I thought, the Slums are REAL! They do EXIST! Unlike the Hollywood scenes are all fake and made-up!
The bazaar is super crowded. It is Saturday after all. We are the outstanding people around (imagine the colour) =X... We only toured the outskirt of the place. By right, they will have better deals of the clothes and shoes if we bother to venture in the alley.
But I think it will be around a difference of 50-100 rupees which is $1-3. Forget it!
Besides, the weather is so hot that a girl fainted right in front of me!
We walk through abandoned buildings and dilapidated houses. Those that will collapse anytime, only occupied one or two families. I presumed, they couldn't afford a new house. Who will risk their life and live in flats with such condition?
I came across a few vendors who attempted to scam me. I walked away immediately they name a ridiculous price for my sandals. After surveying a few stalls, I got myself a good deal of sandals and scarfs. That is all I can find there. Shopping is secondary, my primary motive for the trip is to have a feel of India.
On our way back, we drove pass a few more "villages" of slums. Some of the locals were sitting on top of their houses, the air is fresher up there. Each house is just millimeter away from each other! I wonder how on earth can someone live in such an environment...It is heart-aching to see such a sight. The journey back was a quiet one. We are deeply appreciating what we have and enjoy in Singapore. Looking at the scene before us, we lost in our own thoughts. I wanted to give whatever I have left of rupees to our driver but I am afraid that will spoil the market rate. So I gave him a good tip and Thank him for the ride.
We are blessed to have a nice, secure and safe shelter above us. Needless to say the luxury of water and power supply.
Sometimes we tends to forget, people in other parts of the world are suffering worst than us and they are not complaining!
And here we are, complaining how bad our life is!
I am glad and thankful for whatever I have. Especially my wonderful hubby, family and friends around.
Thank god for such a wonderful life I lead. Compare to the people in other parts of the world, my life is their luxury!
So people, Stop complaining and start living life!
1:16:00 AM