BOMBAY

We arrived to Mumbai (Bombay) late at night. we took a walk at 2 am when the streets were eerily empty and quiet save the hundreds of giant rats and roaches, along with feral dogs and cats, all prowling over crowds of peasants wrapped up blankets sleeping on the streets. Strange eyes peering from alleys, hot tropical air, moldy colonial buildings and vegetation growing from every crack. That first night was spooky and intimidating, especially for Melissa. I had traveled through India in the past and had described to her what I had seen in great detail. But she was determined to experience it all for herself, and there she was. The next morning as we drank chai tea from the high rooftop of our creepy hotel and watched the city awaken like fire ants on a disturbed mound...well Melissa's expression says it all.

The Streets of Indian cities are exosystems of extraordinary complexity. Rats, crows, monkeys, roaches, cows, dogs, cats, goats and people all live in harmony despite staggering densities of each.

The traffic in Bombay can be frightening. The congestion would blow the mind of any New York cabbie. The air pollution is a serious problem as well, and after 4 days in Bombay I had a scratchy cough, and produced black soot from my nose. However in other ways, I found Bombay to be by far the most pleasant and liveable of all major indian cities.

Crawford market. Specializing in selling fruit, and getting foreigners lost in its vast mazes.

While wandering down the street near Victoria Station we where hailed by a film scout who pleaded that we act as exotic looking stand ins for a Bollywood movie that was being shot on the street. It took about an hour. If you are an Indian film fan, look for us in "Asma" in the near future.

street scenes from one of the planet's most fastinating and bizzare cities.

residents spend Sunday strolling down the causeway on the Arabian Seashore. This is one of the cleanest and most wealthy areas in the nation.

A great photographer and friend of mine, Al Vinjamur(http://www.alvinjamur.com/), who is originally from Bangalore, India, arranged for us to meet his lifelong friend Suresh. An executive at MSNBC's station in Bombay, Suresh is well versed in Bombay's good life. He brought along his friend Ayesha who is a financial researcher and anchor. We took a dinner/booze cruise offshore for the evening.

On a tour of the MSNBC station the next day.
Shopping for next year's Christmas gifts.