I`ve always been in love with their hustle and bustle, their charm and incredible charisma. I know I am going to find out surprising and vibrant touches of reality, each time I get to this place and they always mark the map of my colored journeys through all the corners of the world.

The market places, in all their splendour of colours and flavours, hold a great fascination for me, in Mumbai, too, their image being quite adequate …

   • Crawford Market or Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market is one of the most important markets in Mumbai, whose name was given after the first commissioner of Mumbai, under the British reign, Arthur Crawford. The place has an interesting connection to the father of the famous novelist, Rudyard Kipling, John Lockwood Kipling, who had done a lot of things not only inside the market place but also in Mumbai. Crawford Market was founded in 1871, it lies on a very large area and is well-known for its architecture, the friezes at the entrance of the market being truly remarkable. The interior fountain (Kipling`s fountain)

the gothic and the Flemish details, as well as the mural paintings are other attractions of the market place, which abounds with fresh vegetables, tasty fruits, meats and pastries, homemade chocolate, but also imported foods, not to mention all sorts of party items.

   • The flea and antiquity market Chor Bazaar (in translation, “the thieves` market) is one of the biggest in India. Legend has it that if you should lose anything in Mumbai, you are sure to get it back in Chor Bazaar. If you fancy venturing into a frantic pursuit of copy- antiques, vintage items, Victorian furniture, car parts, you can go for a leisurely stroll from 11 to 19:30 (but mind your pockets!). And if you are good at bargaining, all the better for you! It`s appropriate to cover your shoulders and legs (most of the people are Muslims here.)

   • I left Lalbaug Spice Market, at the end, as a denouement full of revelations and spectacular models. Here you can find everything you need to fix goodies from Maharashtrian cuisine, by the book.

Coriander, curry, fennel, stacks of Kashmiri Mirchi-the non-spicy variety of pepper, but also extra-spicy ones, copra coconut, perfect for a chutney (ground along with garlic and chilly pepper), areca nuts, tobacco, beautiful small sacks of star anise, nutmeg, pepper, clove, cinnamon.
Can you smell the aromas? Wwwwon-derful, isn`t it?