mapping

ive been slowly utilizing the wonderful google to map a bit of this new place. so far, its the basics, but i hope to get a little more creative in the coming months, and eventually have a fantastic archive of book stores, snack shops, amazing buildings, etc.

mumbai

i love khitchdi

for the past week, ive had a fairly steady diet of grilled cheese toasties, yogurt, bland biscuits, rice, and tea. and for the past week, ive not retained much of it. im not exactly sure whats going on, but its obvious that my system is lacking in nutrients, even with the fortified biscuits and probiotic yogurt. i am wary of moshe’s café, runny nutella, and close-talkers.
think its also safe to stay away from my beloved round-the-corner grocery, as i suspect their refrigeration system is partly to blame. dear friends have given me some grapefruit seed extract, which is foul, but promised to be a great anti-microbial. so is alcohol, so will someone please be sure to bring a bottle of scotch? maybe it’s the heat? the ‘real-feel’ temps quoted for the next two weeks are well in the 100’s.
because its been a week, and ive also been a little fevered, i have a field trip to bombay hospital later today.
until things get better though, this is the magic food:

khitchdi + kadhi

if this truly is the indian penicillin, i will eat it everyday because it is comforting, delicious, and most importantly, it stays.

my favorite color is blue

this is a wall outside mahindra stadium, on D road.

the scale of things

the walk down the stairwell is always sort of amazing.

new digs

i am off to explore the world of reality, within-budget 1bhk's and pg's. so far the housing quest has done nothing to offer anything feasible, although the limits of comfort and economy have been tested by the amazing places ive seen.
after covering the ground between kala ghoda and churchgate, on foot, at least twice daily, ive been thinking that a change of scenery might be nice, even if it means a longer commute.

brokers...

are such the tease.... with seductive views and promises of laundry service.
anyone who knows can believe that an ocean view will make me swoon, peeling paint can be art, tangible texture turns me dizzy.
almost enough to feel like you can make that completely-out-of-the-budget rent work. so im glad ive had the company of friends who have given me many, much needed reality checks.
picturesque beauty is not worth a potentially psychotic landlord, even with the crumbling blue plaster and gilded vintage furniture. look, notice how there is a large gap of nothing sealing the window to its frame? but see the water, the view....
sigh.
next?

its work time

karma

maybe i need to check the attitude a little. in all sorts of irony, i locked myself out of my room, and had to utilize that wonderful window in the common bathroom to avoid a night on the floor. with a little gymnastics and mauvering of louvers, mission accomplished.
and although it was by far the most fantastic weekend ive had since arriving, or actually, the second weekend ive had… reality check of the trip was a nasty bout of tummy upset after a delicious salad for lunch. lesson learned, don’t eat salad quite so eagerly, and don’t complain about dry heaves in the room next door because it will be you in a few days.

there is nothing like your insides being turned out to make you really appreciate all the comforts you do have.

happy holi

after being told repeatedly by people to ‘stay inside’ during holi, i was lucky enough to get an invite to play, and not miss a festival id been really hoping to see. and better than hanging out of the hostel window hoping to glimpse some action was actually getting decked out in some more-or-less disposable clothes, meeting new friends and a whole bunch of neighborhood kids in a frenzy of color and water. i don’t think theres really anything like this in the states, or europe, color and water aside. we tried (as an American, a European, and an Indian, to try to think of an example, and the conclusion was that there was really none, maybe new years?, maybe sports, think world cup scale comradery and celebration, if everyone was supporting the same winning team… the beauty of the festival was not only the amazing visual display occurring all over the city, but that it seemed to be so inclusive among everyone we met along the way.











ironically, 22 march, 2008 was also ‘world water day’, something i think the WHO came up with to advocate and promote the conservation of this highly abused resource.

from http://www.idswater.co.in/water/india/News/2489/newsrelease_content.html:

"World Water Day 2008 (March 22) calls attention to the critical need to protect and sustain water resources and “highlights the significance of cooperation and importance of an integrated approach to water resource management of water at both international and local levels,” according to the World Water Day web site (www.worldwaterday.org). This global appreciation of water also recognizes the fact that all consumer products use water as an ingredient or in production, including foods and beverages. Bottled water companies have an outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible use of resources to produce a healthy packaged beverage. And, recognizing that water is necessary for life, the industry brings to people bottled water with consistent safety, quality, good taste, and convenience."

holiday weekend