Thoughts from Mumbai

Written: January 20, 2009

Ah Mumbai, the city previously known as Bombay, what can I saw about this crazy place? What a shock arriving from the luxurious well planned Dubai to this crazy chaos. I arrived in the late afternoon and immediately noticed the humidity and bad air quality. Kids begging at my taxi window reminded me I was no longer in Dubai. Since Alan's hotel tip was actually a hotel in Delhi, I was stuck taking a suggestion from the taxi driver on a place to stay for 600 Rs a night, cockroaches included. At least it was conveniently located in Colaba.

I checked out the Gateway of India, the renovated Taj Mahal hotel and Victoria terminus. The last two were viciously attacked by terrorists in December. My visit to Mumbai coincided with the Mumbai Marathon and I was happy to see signs rallying citizens to "Vanquish the Terror!" It reminded me of London's post-Tube bombing's "I am not afraid" movement. I have been to many places that have been sites of terrorist attacks. From talking to citizens and people who have been impacted, I've learned that we cannot live in fear and terror for that is the goal of the radicals. We must also not let anger and revenge make us act less honourable or less ethical. We have to look deeper to the underlying problems that are causing the radicals to act this way rather than simply resort to force.

While talking to an Indian family my train ride to Jodhpur, I asked how Indians felt about the new U.S. President Barrack Obama and what are their biggest issue? Whether that be foreign policy, the economy or terrorism? It seemed the overwhelming issue on their minds were indeed dealing with extremists coming in from Pakistan. A young man from the family and I both wondered, why was there such tension between Pakistan and India. It couldn't just be because of religious differences since Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains live side by side relatively peacefully in India. He even said his best friend was Muslim. I have heard stories from others of some ill feelings toward people of other religions but not enough to resort to violence. What is the true source of the conflict?

Well I'm taking my first Indian train ride tonight in the overnight AC2 sleeper, should be arriving in the Blue City of Jodhpur in the morning!

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Directions to Bandra Terminus (Western Rail) from downtown Mumbai:

Many trains depart from the Bandra Terminus in Mumbai for cities in the north. However, there are not many directions on the best way to get to this station. After asking a few locals, I believe the following way is the cheapest and most convenient.

• Assuming you're starting from downtown in the Colaba area, make your way to the Churchgate local rail station.
• From there, buy a ticket towards "Vile Parle" (First Class if it's during rush hour, otherwise normal is just fine and only 7 Rs).
  
• The trains going towards Vile Parle are on Platform 1 or 2.
  
• The closest station to Bandra Terminus is not actually the Bandra but Khar Rd so get off there. It's one stop past Bandra local rail station.
  
• From Khar Rd, make your way East (the right side since you've been heading north) and cross the tracks using the pedestrian overpass.
  
• When you descend overpass, you'll feel like you're in a village in rural India. Don't worry, you're on Jay Prakesh Rd. Go towards the right and at the first intersection make a right (Pipeline rd).
  
• Within a minute you should be able to see Bandra Terminus.
  

If you're ever lost in the area after getting off Khar Rd and wish to take a rickshaw, do not pay more than 12-15 Rs since the station is extremely close.

Use this link to see an aerial map. Bandra terminus is the triangle building south east of Khar Rd Railway Station.

This map shows the local train station map referenced in my directions.