Vanakkam,
So tell us more about living in Mumbai. You have your own flat where you can cook your own meals? Have you had any drinking water problems? How is the commute form home to work? Is there a small temple nearby? All that stuff ... I love hearing about India.
There is so much to say VinayakaJi, I don't even know where to begin and if it will eventually end ! xD
Lucky to have friends around, they helped me so much ! We (I'm with a friend, same class) are guest of a friend that left abroad, so have left their BHK for us to stay. Got my own kitchen, and can cook my own meal...We had some problems with the building society at first (first time they have westerners guests, I think they were worried to have some problems, thinking we were going to drink and party xD) but now, everything is ok and very friendly.
Drinking water problems: yeah. I was so careless at first, I was very very sick for 4 days after not making my tea water boil enough. But nothing after that, I cook with water and drink tea from boiled tap water, no problem
I think after some month, your body somewhat adapt.
Got some gigatic leakage on the roof, monsoon is hard to fight even for buildings :0 for some days, it was practically raining sticky red water on the bedroom, but hey, that's the game !
For now we almost always take rickshaw, but once I understand how those bus work, we'll take the bus (half less expensive) Of COURSE we got fooled two or tree times by rickshawallah, but now they seemed to understand we're staying and not simple tourists, so no problem around. That's a blessing...Because arguing with a rickshawallah is a real sport. Especially when , being french, I'm not used to make a fuss and is always polite...Too much polite for India! I was just told to make a big loud scene, and that's working.
Traffic in Mumbai is horrible. Believe me, it is hooooorrriiible ! xD Always late at work, and lots of waiting at red light...Very polluted air too. I never smoked a cigarette in my life but I can't imagine how my lungs look like now.
But it isa very green city, lots of flowers and trees everywhere, it is a refreshing sight
Temples everywhere ! And mosque too ! But there is a very tiny Siva temple under a sacred tree not far, I am going to go there with a neighbour.
It is surprinsigly hard to "be" hindu when you are a westerner, as many can't imagine you being anything else than a christian. You are white, you HAVE to be a christian....Or at best a Hare Krishna. I always faced almost the same reactions: 1) You....you're not Christian ?! That's not possible. 2) Oh, you're Hare krishna then. 3)But how? HOW are you Hindu ?
The question "How ?" is always there x'D
But every Hindu I've met was very happy and very welcoming when learning I was a Saiva. Seemed terribly surprising for them, but all were happy and acceptance.
Ganapi statues makers are everywhere, on every streets, some places are covered in Sri Ganesh, all colorful and beautifuls ! This is a wonderful sight at every corner, believe me, they are so beautifully painted, masterfully crafted, a delight for eyes and heart of a bhakt since it looks like Sri GaneshJi is residing in them already !
I could go on for very long, but it's time to leave work now !
Aum Namah Sivaya