It is said that the Occident finds it difficult to thoroughly understand the extravagance, the mix, the bollywood glamour but is always fascinated by the way people over here influence mankind.

And Mumbai, the “capital” of Bollywood  is the epitome of  ”patchwork”, of the energy and fascination of the Indian film industry for the wide world in the West or the East.

The old Bombay seems to be a mix of pieces of NewYork, Rio, London, Dubai, Lisbon, all of them gathered in a mind blowing city, not only through its flamboyant atmosphere, with discrepancies, but particularly, through everything it represents for the culture of the spectacular India: a crucible full of traditions, culture, customs, gastronomy, history, architecture.
As Mumbai (still Bombay for many of its inhabitants) abounds with super rich buildings and people, millionaires and billionaires but also with poor districts or slums. Because the exquisite festivals that pay homage to Hindi gods gather millions of people (this city has truly a lot of inhabitants, about 21 millions), who go out in the street and enjoy Life! That`s Mumbai, the alpha, global city.

Mumbai Colored list:


   1. Visit Gate of India-a kind of L`Arc de Triomphe, but made of a combination of Hindi and Muslim styles, that was  raised in memory of king George V and Queen Mary of England on the occasion of their arrival in the city. Very cool!

   2. Enter and see the the spectacular Many Bhavan - the museum dedicated to Gandhi, with hundreds of pictures, books and interesting things

   3. Go for a walk in Colaba area and admire the colonial influences and the old buildings, raised in the days of the English domination, if you are very keen on walking long distances, go past all the landmark buildings in Mumbai, out of which, the most impressive ones are, to my mind, Victoria Terminus - a London-style train stop, with an Indian air, too-but also Taj Mahal Palace, perhaps the best known hotel in India

   4. For a bit of art, visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajah Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales` Museum) with an impressive collection of artifacts and Jehangir Gallery

   5. Dadar Flower Market to enjoy a burst of colour, hundreds of flowers and garlands, for the temples

   6. Go and see  Dhobi Ghat, from above, the most famous …open air wash house in the world…although it is a tourist attraction, be careful,  you are not allowed to enter but you can see it and take a photo from above; on the other hand, you can enter the one in Colaba(I went on a tour with Be the local and I strolled leisurely in the area)

   7. Souvenirs, jewels, shoes, clothes, and of course, vegetables, fruits and all sorts of things, you can find them all at Crawford Market, in the south of Mumbai

   8. For imitations of antiques and rags of all kinds go to Chor Bazaar(Thieves Market), it`s famous.

   9. Take, at least, 50g from the mountain-pile of hot peppers in Spice Market. It`s spectacular!

   10. Dabbawallas are worth seeing (those who deliver lunch pails to the offices) at Crawford Station, one of the meeting places where dabbawallas get together to sort the lunch pails so that they can be sent further away. It`s specific to Mumbai and their system is very interesting, being renowned for the fact that they don`t make mistakes