I will admit, I love flying. When people complain about cramped quarters, long lines and the endless waiting, all I can think of is, at the other end of this, there is so much waiting. Often we travel to meet friends and loved ones or to experience something new. With this trip, I have both, family and a world of new adventures waiting. With all of the excitement, I still managed to doze off here and there, making the late night landing in Mumbai especially difficult.
Adventures in Mumbai
After a good nights rest, I was ready to take on the new city! On the first day here, we kept things low-key, going for a quick shopping trip down the street. Even this excursion, reminded me how crowded and vibrant India is.
After a quick cooking lesson with my cousin, we set off to see Crawford Market in the middle of Mumbai. There, we meandered through a few winding roads and found a large warehouse full of many cloth merchants, it was almost overwhelming. With all of the choices, the only thing we purchased was a new lock! Still riding the local trains and navigating the market brought a thrill of their own.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: End of the Central Line of Mumbai Local Train, Near Crawford Market
The following day, we went to see the Gateway of India, and took a ferry over to Elephanta Island to see the caves. Climbing the stairs, in the scorching Mumbai heat was an experience, but it made exploring the caves that much more fun, as they were a great place to cool off a little.
Forging a Connection
What struck me as we walked around and explored, was how easy it was to connect and get to know my cousin better. I have enjoyed every minute of my stay in Mumbai and I can say confidently, that spending time with someone in person, truly is the best way to get to know them. There is a power in shared experiences, it can color a relationship and brings a depth to that connection. It gives me hope to know that relationships are still best forged in person. By spending time, we build a bridge across which we can travel with ease.