Mister Barker’s Travels October 2013
From Egypt to Mumbai & Mysore Hi Everyone, I thought I’d start writing a little travel blog to keep you up -to-date of how I’m doing and the adventures I’m having. I had a fantastic 10 weeks in Egypt and will miss all of my Dahab chums - will get around to doing a write up with some photos soon. I was excited about seeing India again, especially after my last trip to the southern state of Kerala a few years back. WIth it’s laid back vibe, ashrams, yoga schools and idyllic beaches it suited me just right. But this time around I thought I would challenge myself and check out a very different India; Mumbai seemed like the yin to Kerala’s yang so off i went...... My connection from Jeddah to Mumbai set the scene all too well. After a 5 hour wait at Jeddah, where the terminal has no ATMs or shops that accept visa (Hamdulla for that squashed Mars bar at the bottom of my bag), I finally boarded the plane along with swarms of Mumbaikars. Night flights are never fun but this one was particularly hectic and it became immediately obvious that at least 50% of my fellow passengers were suffering from some sort of lurgy, characterised by a really awful chunky cough. Felt more Victorian infirmary than aircraft. Perhaps airlines should supply Sars masks along with those handy sick bags? Annoyingly, 2 days later I was coughing and sniffling too.
Mumbai is pretty harsh but not without its char ms. Touts, begging street kids, prostitutes and bogus religious folk comb the streets intent on getting their share of the western wedge. Having travelled through Asia before none of this was new but it’s pretty frenzied and I was a bit surprised to be pinched on the arm after refusing money to street kids. The slums of Mumbai are dotted all over but they're are also some real architectural gems - left is the Chatrapati Shivaji Rail Terminus. Quite something. I enjoyed my train rides around the city and saw some interesting things including rail side cultivated land where people of the slums grow their veggies.
More Mumbai Architecture: Left, The Gateway of India, full of hawkers and a major tourist attraction, it’s right next to the harbour & the water reeks. Right, typical colonial style building - nice strolling down these streets (quieter and interesting markets aimed more at locals.)
M A H A L A X M I
D H O B I
G H A T
This an open air laundromat in Mumbai. The washers (Dhobis) work in the open to wash the clothes from Mumbai's hotels and hospitals. There are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone and is considered the world's largest outdoor laundry. I wanted to see this after watching a fantastic film called Dhobi Ghat that features the Mahalaxmi area and also gives an interesting insight into the vast poverty gap and cast system that exists in the city.
Mumbai’s Four Seasons Hotel: cocktails on 36th f loor This place shows the stark contrast between the hang outs of Mumbai’s Bollywood gliterati & the poor people of the slums pictured below. (but i did enjoy a few treats from the cocktail menu: gin, pomegranate and thyme are a good combo!)
M y s o r e
I arrived in Mysore a few days ago - the perfect antidote to Mumbai. The cold is shifting nicely & lovely Sarah from Brighton is here too. This is a side of India that I’ve not seen before. There is money here & some beautiful houses and gardens. The city is a major destination for yoga students - I’ve thrown myself into daily classes - 6.00am starts! I’m planning to spend a good amount of time here. Diwali started today so I’m sure the city will be a frenzy of festivities! More updates soon - bye bye for now :)