So I did make it to Mumbai/Bombay on a nice bus ride from Hyderabad. At 6am I thought I was in Mumbai only to realize I was in Pune where it was pouring rain and pitch black. I got to Mumbai and off course got ripped of by an auto whose meter didn't work. Turns out you can trust the auto meters in Mumbai and not settle for haggling price like one does in Hyderabad.

I got to the guys place without getting lost and they have a rustic 3BHK. The fellows in Mumbai were great to me and now I feel bad for not being a good host the two times they came to Hyderabad. Well second time I was in Dehradun but first time I could've joined in the welcome party.I was taken out to Churchgate to see the colonial buildings and the coast. I donated to a "temple guy" for tying good luck strings on my wrist and giving me sweets after a blessing. I don't think he was a temple guy for he asked for 100 then was particular about only accepting bills nor did he state what temple he is from. I gave him 15 and he tried to hustle another 10 out of me but I told him it's my money to get home unless he's driving me home. In response he patted my head and walked away.

Parts of Mumbai remind me of a city past its glory days with buildings past their prime that can use some sprucing up. If Swaacht Bharat took off it would do wonders for the city but for now its just a media campaign for politicians and celebrities. Lots of foreigners in some areas and mostly Hindi since like NYC everyone from everywhere are in the city. I also don't like pigeons and crows which are everywhere in the city. Day two proved eventful after waiting over an hour for the train before learning the train comes sporadically so opting for an 800 rupee taxi ride in order to get to my meeting in Belapur ontime. Meeting was short and I probably should've been in business casual meeting with commerce students. After that it was off to Nerul by train for the first time by myself but I was given good directions.

I got to see a quaint and cozy Indian style apartment before exploring Bandra. Went to the Catholic areas and tried to be a good Christian praying before the Mother Mary statue for I will not mention how many times I've gone to church since arriving in India and my excuses for the poor attendance. In Bandra we then went in search of food and along the way got we got to Candies and I tried Indian beef lasagna which was decent with pink lemonade slush. To bad the garlic bread was cold. I got treated to passion fruit cheesecake. yum. After dinner my lovely host got a marriage proposal after an elderly lady enquired if she is African and if she attends church which both were yes. The lady told her to take down her number then we indicated that we were leaving.

From Bandra we parted ways at the train station and I found my way back to Andheri East. Thankfully the two were on the same line. I got to visit Tata Institute and spend the day with a fellow at her office. I got some work done and caught up on emails. I enjoyed campus lunch though the egg curry was spicy. She has great coworkers who were friendly and shared their experiences from when they first got to Mumbai. That night was karaoke. After downing Sangria which on second thought wasn't necessary I attempted Whitney Houston's greatest love of all knowing I can't hit the high notes but belted it out anyway. I lost my voice and croaked on my last song life is a highway knowing I only knew the lyrics. All in all it was a good first karaoke experience.

Last day in Mumbai was at Guragon East after venturing to Intellecap's office but I only spent a few minutes there. I got a well rounded view of all the fellows, IDEX and their placements. Ok not all since I don't have heart to hearts with all fellows only those I connected with at orientation or after a month or so into IDEX. I booked a last minute bus ticket back to Hyderabad only to get on the bus and get to the 2nd pickup point where I was told the bus was cancelled. I was put on another bus that made way to many stops for my liking. I was also in the last row squished between three guys, one of who kept using me as  a pillow. I finally got to Hyderabad only to be dropped not at Lingampally BHEL but at the toll road at the welcome to Hyderabad sign where I took an auto to Chennai Shopping Mall and walked the rest of the way.