rickshaw graveyard

 
Along the road to Juhu there is a small area of land that seems to have become a rickshaw graveyard. I don't know if someone buys them and then trys to resell the parts or what. I always find it interesting though how this prime real estate can be used for this. 

Toys 'R here

 
I just loved this lady's bag - "Toys 'R Here". I haven't seen a shop here called that, but I guess there must be one. I always find it funny how shops here will mimic the names of Western shops - I don't think even half of the population would connect it with the west, so why do they do it?? 

DON, the chase begins again...

 
The remake of a classic Hindi film, DON, has created quite an uproar here lately. I'm a little closer to it then I normally would, because my partner worked on the film. As far as hindi films goes, it kept me interested and it looked nice, so I was happy. Many of the younger generations are enjoying it quite a bit, but older people still think that the first film was better. To each his own I guess. But what else is there to do on a Sunday afternoon but watch films?! 

ridin' high

 
Often the trains are so packed that people choose to put their lives in serious risk by riding on the top. I assume they are also probably riding without a valid ticket! This train had many people riding on the top, but by the time I got my camera out it was just these two guys who were more than happy to have their photo taken. This train is passing through Dharavi, near Mahim station. 

pottery women

 
On the way back home from Mahim station today we saw these women loading the train up with their pottery. Dharavi area of Mumbai is still known for producing quite a bit of Mumbai's pottery. These women will fan out all over the city to sell their products for the day. 

Shiva

 
I have no idea what this "carrier" is for - but I've never seen them so nicely painted before! This was taken in town - where you rarely see bull carts of this type. I didn't see any bulls, so I would have to assume this was is being pulled by a person. But he was also no where to be seen! Shiva, the painting on it is a Hindu God 

packed in

 
Today I was in Colaba and saw this line of small kids being packing into taxi's. I guess they were going on a field trip or something. Most children here are still on holiday break until Nov, so I'm sure they are trying to find things to keep them busy! 

diwali debris

 
The look after all of the fun has been had...The streets are littered with debris from the myriad of fireworks set off. This one caught my eye - In India this symbol means good luck or good fortune. Before moving to India I only knew the swastik as a symbol of Nazi Germany, but it has had a long cultural history prior to being transported to the west. 

celebrations continue

 
Celebrations are still going on - Fireworks are going off in all neighborhoods at all hours, day and night. As I write now huge "bomb" crackers are going off, birds are flying all over the place and the dogs are hiding in fear. A few more days and they will have their "quiet" lives back! 

Happy Diwali!

 
Last night the city was under seige - by fireworks! It was insane. The noise and light was more than I could handle. I was like this small boy, standing at a distance looking on! 

Rangoli

 
People put decorations up outside their homes and businesses - I've already shown you the lights, but people also will put up these rangoli (chalk/powdered paint) decorations as well. This guy is selling templates to use. We tried -- its not as easy as it looks!! 

Diwali Mithai (Sweets)

 
I was one of the last minute shoppers out today getting my boxes of mithai for everyone. I think we are probably the only people in the building who give the guards mithai + money, but never hurts to have them on your good side! This year I had too many boxes to buy so I forgot to buy some for myself - so I have no idea which sweet this is without tasting it! 

time for gold!

 
This is the time of year to buy your jewels -- says all of the advertisments! Of all the diwali decorations, the jewelry stores are the most extravagant. The other Popleys across the road was still putting their decorations up, but I'll get a photo before its down. Last year it was out of control. 

Fireworks!!

 
A must for Diwali (and most Indian holidays) are fireworks. You can see these aren't just the small "toy" fireworks, but the large ones those of us in the West would see at organized firework shows! Anyone can buy them and they can be set off anywhere, which means that sat night is going to be insane! Basically everyone has their own and sets them off at their buildings. could that be anymore dangerous?! 

mosque in the road

 
This had me really excited when I first moved here - a temple right in the middle of a main road! This is in the Marine Lines area of town near an NGO I work with. It still makes me happy to see it. But still 3 years later I don't know much about it. I'm always in such a hurry that I never have time to walk around to the other side to really check it out. Anyone know its origins/history? 

Sleeping watchman

 
This is a common sight througout Mumbai - building watchmen fast asleep! Luckily the city is relatively safe or else all of our homes might be burgled daily! (And these are the people who come knocking at our doors during diwali looking for money!) 

Diwali lights

 
Diwali lights are springing up all over town. Its starting to feel festive. The roads are packed, everyone is advertising a sale and people are buying in full force. Now I need to start making my list of people to whom I must give Diwali sweets (and of course cash) to! 

Party at the 254

It was one of these days where from the initial bus station, 3 buses came in a raw! which is a blessing since since the long cue of people could nicely divide ourselves in the three buses, allowing us to enjoy the ride!

ANDHERI STATION

Andheri is one of the most crowded stations I have experienced in Mumbai, specially between 9 and 11.30 a.m. and 6 and 9.30 p.m. The flow of people that from all parts of Andheri (area) try to reach finally the "red" Andheri name that marks the entrance, is huge. One of the reasons why some stations in Mumbai are more crowded than others is the fact that here you can take either SLOW of FAST trains, as they call it. A SLOW TRAIN stops in all stations, a FAST one only stops in certain "central" or "key" stations, being Andheri one of them. Andheri station lies on the WESTERN RAILWAY of Mumbai. Andheri is general also host a lot of offices, factories as well other types of formal and informal commerce.

Taxi View

Diversity, that's what Mumbai is all about...

Ladies only

All buses in Mumbai have exclusive seats for ladies. This morning I was lucky to finally being able to sit in on one lady seat on my 254 (from Andheri station into the Andheri West side). Normally by the moment I step into the bus it is so crowded, that to be able to sit is a luxury!

kids and birds...

 
All over Mumbai you will see kids enjoying the pigeons. I just really liked these two little kids. 

Diwali preparations are underway!

 
Diwali, the festival of lights, is coming upon us quickly. I tend to relate Diwali to Christmas in the west. All of the shops have massive sales, people buy lots of decorations for their homes, put up "christmas" lights in and out of their houses, etc. This "flower" (they are fake flower garlands) shop was too colourful to pass up! 

Boats to Elephanta Island

 
One of the few "tourist" attractions in Mumbai is Elephanta Island. Sometimes I think its just a way to trap tourists where they can't get away and they are forced to buy something! These are the boats lined up, ready to go. 

Crawford Market

 
A beautiful sunny day in Mumbai - what better way to spend it than at Crawford Market! Crawford market was built in the British Raj times and named after Mumbai's first municipal commisioner (i think!). Today its a great market for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, live animals (pets), and foreign foods.
More about Crawford Market here. 

marigolds

 
This week every house, car, business and even the buses have been garlanded with marigolds like these. For Dussera, Hindus conduct puja's (prayers) and garland their special belongings. These flowers are still hanging all over town, beginning to die, but still nice to photograph! 

high alert

 
Ever since the bombings this summer there are cops positioned in random places, doing nothing much but this! Just thought this cop leaning up against the car made it look so tiny, sort of like a toy!