Mumbai - Intro


I found Mumbai in a calm summer morning.
Difficult to say what the streets tell you first... The burned sandal smell from the raw sugar cane tables. The details of the oriental architecture. The crazy traffic - taxis and rickshaws coming from nowhere. I mean from the right side, where I wasn't looking.
People - lots of them. Women wearing classic saris and men with shirts and trousers. The eye adjusts quick and I can soon tell which one is going where.
I remember what my friend told to the driver - Colaba, Regal Cinema. In less than an hour we were there. An area with a strong colonial look. With the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Gateway of India behind us.
Ready to leave the next day we took a crazy 'bye-bye' ride: Victoria Station, Mumbai Bazaar, Malabar Hill.

Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra.The former city of Bombay is now one of the most crowded cities in the world and the most populous in India.


Om Beach


I forgot how long the train ride was. Around 13-14 hours. We got there in the middle of the night.
This place has a certain feel to it. It's the same atmosphere as in grannie's back yard. Isolated, peaceful and with good food.
Add a beach, an ocean, your friends... and there you go :)
It's called Om because of it's shape - similar to the auspicious Om sign.
What's there? Few tourists. Some cats playing with dogs, a couple of cows. Special guests: a cobra, a scorpion and a frog. And the wind in a hot day.
Time goes slower here. We're telling stories, playing and getting ready for Shivaratri.


Shivaratri - The night of the Great Shiva


This is by far the greatest party I've seen so far.
It's wonderful to see how the little village of Gokarna takes life and starts celebrating. You can hear the music from the beach. Colors are everywhere of course, but prepare to be mesmerized by the shelves with thousands of shiny colorful bangles :)
People say 'hi' and smile at you, some even come and shake your hand. 'First time in India'? 'So, how do you like India?'
We attended the procession next day. There are thousands years old chariots being pulled with ropes by more than 100 men.
We threw bananas at the brahmas inside the chariot, cause it brings good karma if you get one.
After the procession I followed the holy elephant, told him jokes, gave candies and I got my blessings :)