Monday, May 23, 2011

Mumbai, India - Day 6 (20th May 2011)

Today we woke up at 5am! ya woke up super early today as Amin will be bringing us to visit the wet market and watch the sun rise in Mumbai. We were to meet him at 6am at the hotel lobby.
Moon hanging in the early morning skies

He brought us to the wholesale market to see people selling flowers, fruits, vegetables and fish. Amazing that so early in the morning and yet it was already bustling with lots of activity, people! Amin explained to us that the vendors who are selling fish, had to transport fish from Ana Pradesh (may have gotten the place wrong) and it takes about 12hrs to drive the fish. Hence to keep the ice from melting, the people had to use the husk of rice to protect the ice.
Sacks of flowers on sale
Flower market
Colourful flowers on sale
Garlands on sale

As for the flowers and vegetables market, these people takes about 8hrs to travel to and fro from the village to the market to sell their wares. And everyday, these vendors will be there from early morning till evening and definitely their wares will be sold out. I must say that seeing all the flowers and fruits, the market was really very very colourful.
Limes for sale
Vegetables on sale

After visiting the market, the sun was pretty bright and high up in the skies... we've missed the sun rise... but today... the skies were a little cloudier... hence, making it impossible to see the sun rise over Mumbai. But its ok for us. =D

When we reached the airport, we bade farewell to Amin and thanked him for his services. the airport security was really really tight... and we were pretty much surprised by it.
Group photo with Amin @ the airport

Because of this, there will always be long queues at security checks. Ever since the bombings that took place in Mumbai a few years back, have resulted in tightening of security in airports, shopping centers. We reached the airport pretty early. As all of us still had quite a bit of Rupees unspent... we wanted to spend some of it... but things in the shops were pretty expensive and some of the shops that carry those major international brands only accept USD! Hiaz... such a pity..... But still i managed to get some last minute souvenirs for my mum and friends.

All in all.... this had been a wonderful experience trip to and in India. This trip had really made me open up my eyes and broaden my thoughts. And it also made me ponder if there are any ways that people around the world can help India or if the government can help India. This trip had also made me feel very fortunate and appreciative of the environment that I'm born and live in. I feel that people living in our society should be appreciative instead of wanting more and demanding more.... Somehow I feel that India can have major changes when people stand up wanting to make changes in improvements to their society and their lives and not resort to accepting their fates. And the Indian government seriously need to do something...

Me and Shu Hui in the plane on our way back to Singapore

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