"Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink" - Samuel Coleridge. Mumbai is a city of water - an island actually, seven in all that over the last five centuries have been united by land reclamation. With all this water surrounding its vastness, one finds it difficult to believe their is a shortage of water. Each morning, hundreds and thousands of trucks leave the city and travel to outside areas to bring fresh drinking water to the millions of people in the city. Early in the morning, these trucks arrive in all districts of the city and distribute water to the people with no access to a water supply. |
Women and children line up with whatever they have to collect water to take back to their "homes". Many of these people live on the streets, sleeping on sidewalks, benches or under road overpasses. It is humbling to me, as water in the US (except maybe California right now) is taken as a right and not a privilege.
As you can see from the picture, each truck and driver personalizes their water tanker to represent their personality. Not only are the trucks an important service, they are an expression of identity and art.
As you can see from the picture, each truck and driver personalizes their water tanker to represent their personality. Not only are the trucks an important service, they are an expression of identity and art.
Crawford Market And Gateway to India
After shopping the Crawford Market, I headed south to the Gateway of India for a final visit before departing for Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Gateway of India is a significant monument to the port of Mumbai. It commemorates the British Raj in India and is a major tourist attraction to all who visit this amazing city. The Gateway also commemorates the visit of King George the V and Queen Mary during the time of British rule in India. At the end of British rule the Gateway is the location by which the hordes of British troops departed the city. One can take a ferry from the Gateway for a tour of the harbor and the grand Taj hotel, or out the the Elephanta Island off the cost. The Elephanta Island is home to cave sculptures, both Hindu and Buddhist that date back from the 5th to the 8th century AD. Although I did not visit this time, I did go there with my sone Mukesh and niece Shannon in 2012. It was a stunning site to behold. | Crawford Market is home to spices and vegetable sellers from all over Maharashtra, the state that Mumbai resides in. I visited today to pick up some more spices for my kitchen at home. As you enter, you nose is greeted with the many layered smells of curry, masala and fresh fruits. The market also offers fresh chicken and fish. (Sadly I walked in as the chickens were being butchered - YIKES! It was a blood bath. So, no chicken for me for a while.) |
Now, I must be off to bed. I leave at 3:00 am for the airport to continue my journey on, to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Orgho and his family will be graciously hosting me. Many new adventures to come . . . .