Namaste everyone!
Our journey is nearly coming to an end, as we all prepare for the long trip home. Our time in Mumbai started with an early morning visit to the Laughing Club, where we participated in a form of yoga lead by an elderly man who had been doing it for 25 years. After this experience we hit the shops, by this time in our trip everyone has got developed some impressive bargaining skills, particularly Jermaine who regularly asks for the Indian price claiming to be a local.
We've all had the chance to sight-see some of Mumbai's attractions such as the world's first and only billion-dollar house, the washing ghats, the Taj Mahal Hotel, a temple that we were unfortunately not allowed to see completely, and some of the less attractive sights like the Diravi slums with 1.4 million people in the space of 1.75 square kilometres. One of the most interesting places that we have visited is Mahatma Ghandi's house, full of facts and models detailing the life and achievements of Ghandi to inspire our group.
The group have been shopping hard both for family and friends back home, and themselves, with a group of five boys managing to spend 40,000 rupees in one go at the Lee shop. The main street near the hotel is again showing the massive contrast that exists in India, with genuine Adidas, Nike and Levis being sold inside the shop, with fakes costing only a fraction of the price sold directly outside the door. Mumbai has shown again the contrast between the different regions of India, with Mumbai and Goa being much more Western than cities such as Delhi and Varanasi.
On a sad note, last night saw the departure of one of our adult team leaders, the much loved Mitch. Mitch left last night to continue his travels into Vietnam and Cambodia with his lady friend Mary. Mitch was farewelled with the Mother House goodbye song, which left him without words and on the verge of tears as he hugged everyone goodbye.
Everyone is now excitedly awaiting the return to family and friends back home, but at the same time sad to be leaving the place we have called home for five weeks, where we have experienced things that we never imagined and grown both as individuals and as a group.
To finish we have Michael's favourite Ghandi quote:
True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding out the true path for ourselves and in fearlessly following it.
Lots of love and see you all soon,
Michael C, Loren H and Sam J
xoxo
(with hindrance and distraction from Joe, and Kieran modelling his new favourite vest)
Our journey is nearly coming to an end, as we all prepare for the long trip home. Our time in Mumbai started with an early morning visit to the Laughing Club, where we participated in a form of yoga lead by an elderly man who had been doing it for 25 years. After this experience we hit the shops, by this time in our trip everyone has got developed some impressive bargaining skills, particularly Jermaine who regularly asks for the Indian price claiming to be a local.
We've all had the chance to sight-see some of Mumbai's attractions such as the world's first and only billion-dollar house, the washing ghats, the Taj Mahal Hotel, a temple that we were unfortunately not allowed to see completely, and some of the less attractive sights like the Diravi slums with 1.4 million people in the space of 1.75 square kilometres. One of the most interesting places that we have visited is Mahatma Ghandi's house, full of facts and models detailing the life and achievements of Ghandi to inspire our group.
The group have been shopping hard both for family and friends back home, and themselves, with a group of five boys managing to spend 40,000 rupees in one go at the Lee shop. The main street near the hotel is again showing the massive contrast that exists in India, with genuine Adidas, Nike and Levis being sold inside the shop, with fakes costing only a fraction of the price sold directly outside the door. Mumbai has shown again the contrast between the different regions of India, with Mumbai and Goa being much more Western than cities such as Delhi and Varanasi.
On a sad note, last night saw the departure of one of our adult team leaders, the much loved Mitch. Mitch left last night to continue his travels into Vietnam and Cambodia with his lady friend Mary. Mitch was farewelled with the Mother House goodbye song, which left him without words and on the verge of tears as he hugged everyone goodbye.
Everyone is now excitedly awaiting the return to family and friends back home, but at the same time sad to be leaving the place we have called home for five weeks, where we have experienced things that we never imagined and grown both as individuals and as a group.
To finish we have Michael's favourite Ghandi quote:
True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding out the true path for ourselves and in fearlessly following it.
Lots of love and see you all soon,
Michael C, Loren H and Sam J
xoxo
(with hindrance and distraction from Joe, and Kieran modelling his new favourite vest)
Thanks so much for taking the time to blog - when in some cases there would have been other things attracting attention Great for the families and others of us who have ventured there before you Memories are prompted and thoughts are always with you Thanks heaps again
ReplyDeleteCan imagine you will be talking non stop when you get home and showing the photos of your great experiences.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the last couple of days. Have enjoyed reading about your trip.