2008 Woodie Awards
5 things one must do in Mumbai
Blog dispatch from students in India
Vincent Hobbs
Issue: 7/14/08 Section: summer in india
Posted August 15, 2008
Only two weeks have passed, and I am already satisfied with what Mumbai has offered. From the scrumptious native food to the inexpensive cost of living, Mumbai is definitely a place where anyone can live comfortably. No matter what you're in to doing, there will always be an activity to do, event to attend or place to go that you will enjoy. Furthermore, I know there are people like me out there who, at times, want to have a plain ol' good time without the edifying mindset. That being said, I will narrow down the selection by leaving out historical landmarks, museums and events among the five things I found that a foreigner must do when visiting Mumbai. Enjoy.
Shop: Random shopping can take anyone anywhere in Mumbai. Colaba Causeway is famous for all sorts of articles--clothing, electronics, accessories, bootleg DVDs. You name it, they sell it. However, never fall for the first price a vendor offers because they will most likely take a foreigner for a fool. Also, be careful of what you buy. Be sure to examine your item of choice carefully before you buy it, and don't be afraid to throw out a ridiculously low price when bargaining. One's newly bought iced-out watch could be tomorrow's trash, so make sure to put up a good fight before you fork up the cheese. This market is a boon in disguise for people like me who just can't afford to spend their precious Rupees on an authentic brand name item.
Side note: Never buy a watch on the street. It will break in less than a week no matter how well you take care of it.
Ride the city train: Yes, they are grungy, filthy and smell wretched, but this is one ride most foreigners won't overlook. Most downtown stations have more than hundreds of thousands passengers in them during peak hours--more than anything the average American can relate to. Traveling in them is definitely a one of a kind experience. By the way, don't be afraid to push and shove another passenger when it gets jam-packed--they won't take it personally.
Only two weeks have passed, and I am already satisfied with what Mumbai has offered. From the scrumptious native food to the inexpensive cost of living, Mumbai is definitely a place where anyone can live comfortably. No matter what you're in to doing, there will always be an activity to do, event to attend or place to go that you will enjoy. Furthermore, I know there are people like me out there who, at times, want to have a plain ol' good time without the edifying mindset. That being said, I will narrow down the selection by leaving out historical landmarks, museums and events among the five things I found that a foreigner must do when visiting Mumbai. Enjoy.
Shop: Random shopping can take anyone anywhere in Mumbai. Colaba Causeway is famous for all sorts of articles--clothing, electronics, accessories, bootleg DVDs. You name it, they sell it. However, never fall for the first price a vendor offers because they will most likely take a foreigner for a fool. Also, be careful of what you buy. Be sure to examine your item of choice carefully before you buy it, and don't be afraid to throw out a ridiculously low price when bargaining. One's newly bought iced-out watch could be tomorrow's trash, so make sure to put up a good fight before you fork up the cheese. This market is a boon in disguise for people like me who just can't afford to spend their precious Rupees on an authentic brand name item.
Side note: Never buy a watch on the street. It will break in less than a week no matter how well you take care of it.
Ride the city train: Yes, they are grungy, filthy and smell wretched, but this is one ride most foreigners won't overlook. Most downtown stations have more than hundreds of thousands passengers in them during peak hours--more than anything the average American can relate to. Traveling in them is definitely a one of a kind experience. By the way, don't be afraid to push and shove another passenger when it gets jam-packed--they won't take it personally.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Mat Lohr
posted 8/20/08 @ 9:34 AM PST
I can't believe you didnt include EAT. Thats all i have been doing and been non stop with eating Pav Bhaji. So glad to be back in Mumbai so i can find it wherever i go. (Continued…)
Veronica Martin
posted 8/20/08 @ 10:25 AM PST
this one reads like a travel guide... a style no one had yet used, though i feel like you could have gone farther with the style -- digging deeper into the small experiences that we have lived and out-of-the-way places that we've visited. (Continued…)
Jessica Miller
posted 8/21/08 @ 3:51 AM PST
I agree with Veronica - it does read like a travel guide, and I dig it. However, I would have to challenge the statement "Mumbai is definitely a place where anyone can live comfortably" . (Continued…)
Erica Webster
posted 8/21/08 @ 4:27 AM PST
fine work, vincent. mumbai is teaching me lessons all over the place; i didnt know cheese was a term for money. unless you payed the man in cheese . . (Continued…)
Laurel Saito
posted 8/21/08 @ 6:24 AM PST
I like your converstational writing style. And the best advice I got pre-trip was to bargain. And even then, I am sure we all overcharged! I'm glad you included that in the five. (Continued…)
Melissa Heintz
posted 8/24/08 @ 8:37 AM PST
Good job Vinny! I'm surprised you didn't write about the street corn or chai, which, in my opinion, was a good option for street food for those who weren't as daring as you but still wanted to try it. (Continued…)
Brittany Eddings
posted 8/24/08 @ 10:04 AM PST
I am impressed with your ability to narrow it down. I could never do it, but I like the choices you made.
Jordan Belmonte
posted 8/26/08 @ 6:42 AM PST
You narrowed it down pretty well there!!
Joshua Treybig
posted 8/26/08 @ 6:55 AM PST
I wholeheartedly agree with your choice of the top five things to do. Those each really tap into the soul and spirit of being in Mumbai. The excitement and energy of shopping and the movies, the flavours of the food and the energy and fun of the night life. (Continued…)
Rand Lutomski
posted 8/27/08 @ 5:29 PM PST
So the street watches might last a bit longer if they aren't dropped into 3 liter tubes of hops and barley. And as for the street food, I'm down, Didn't get sick once. (Continued…)
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