Bombay/Mumbai/I don't even know anymore
Three months into the grand South Indian adventure, we have finally made it to India's cultural capital, as well as its most populous city (I think). 16.4 million people live in this city, and at any given moment half of them are about to run you over as you attempt to cross the street.
Despite the near-death experiences, this is easily my favorite city in India so far. Yesterday we all had the slightly surreal experience of taking a tour through Jewish Bombay. The Bene Israel community of Jews here claims descent from one of the lost tribes of Israel, and DNA tests have shown that they are Cohanim. In any case, although the community has dwindled to about 2000 thanks to emigration to Israel, there are still many standing synagogues throughout the city.
We had a wonderful guide whose name I could not spell or pronounce in a million years who showed us all the wonderful places. I can't upload pictures on this cafe computer, but these looked like any Orthodox synagogue you'd find anywhere in the world, complete with upstairs balcony for the women.
That was nice, but the highlight of the day was when we attended Shabbat services (in Hebrew, completely incomprehensible) and ate dinner at the cantor's home. It was me, two other students, Ed, and his family along with the cantor, his wife and 2 kids, and his in-laws. The little dining room in his apartment was pretty crowded, but I think I can safely describe out first sight of challah in three months as a religious experience. The rest of the meal was too delicious to be believed. I've never thought of hummus as a Shabbat food, but after last night I'm willing to change my views.
I spent today taking the walking tour of Bombay described in my guidebook. My favorite part was making it to Oval Maidan, which is kind of South Mumbai's version of Central Park. When I got there, I counted about 15 pickup cricket matches going on despite the fact that the place isn't really all that big. It was impossible to tell where one game stopped and another began. I was also treated to the heart-stopping sight of a little kid dashing into the street to retrieve the ball. I really wish I had brought some baseball gear; I could be a great cultural ambassador here!
We might go out to a nice nightclub near our hotel tonight. Apparently this is where all the Bollywood stars go to be seen. Wish us luck in making it past the velvet rope.
Despite the near-death experiences, this is easily my favorite city in India so far. Yesterday we all had the slightly surreal experience of taking a tour through Jewish Bombay. The Bene Israel community of Jews here claims descent from one of the lost tribes of Israel, and DNA tests have shown that they are Cohanim. In any case, although the community has dwindled to about 2000 thanks to emigration to Israel, there are still many standing synagogues throughout the city.
We had a wonderful guide whose name I could not spell or pronounce in a million years who showed us all the wonderful places. I can't upload pictures on this cafe computer, but these looked like any Orthodox synagogue you'd find anywhere in the world, complete with upstairs balcony for the women.
That was nice, but the highlight of the day was when we attended Shabbat services (in Hebrew, completely incomprehensible) and ate dinner at the cantor's home. It was me, two other students, Ed, and his family along with the cantor, his wife and 2 kids, and his in-laws. The little dining room in his apartment was pretty crowded, but I think I can safely describe out first sight of challah in three months as a religious experience. The rest of the meal was too delicious to be believed. I've never thought of hummus as a Shabbat food, but after last night I'm willing to change my views.
I spent today taking the walking tour of Bombay described in my guidebook. My favorite part was making it to Oval Maidan, which is kind of South Mumbai's version of Central Park. When I got there, I counted about 15 pickup cricket matches going on despite the fact that the place isn't really all that big. It was impossible to tell where one game stopped and another began. I was also treated to the heart-stopping sight of a little kid dashing into the street to retrieve the ball. I really wish I had brought some baseball gear; I could be a great cultural ambassador here!
We might go out to a nice nightclub near our hotel tonight. Apparently this is where all the Bollywood stars go to be seen. Wish us luck in making it past the velvet rope.
posted by Jake | 2:34 AM
1 Comments:
Absolutely hilarious observations. I think you should carefully consider comedy writing as a possible careers. Keep your comments flowing. Burt
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