Mumbai

In January the AJWS retreat started out with several days in Mumbai. After Thailand, I returned to Mumbai for a couple days before returning to Hyderabad.

I enjoyed Mumbai a lot. I thought it was beautiful and had a completely different feel than anywhere else I'd been in India. It has that grandiose big city feel like NYC. I am aware, however, that I was mostly in the nicest richest parts of Mumbai, and saw art museums, tourist sites, and continental restaurants, and did not see things like the biggest slum in Asia (which is in Mumbai).

The double decker buses and red phone booths are reminiscent of the time of British rule

A few of us visited one of the Jewish synagogues in Mumbai. The next week Lily, Shlayma and I went to the service here, which was run by a Chabad Rabbi. As per order of the Chabad Rabbi, women are relegated to the balcony during the services and don't count towards a minion.

Me and a few AJWS fellows with Ben Zion, an Indian Jew.

They say you can get anything you want in Mumbai - for a price.

A glimpse of the Mumbai airport, and all the many people you meet when you exit. If that's not overwhelming I don't know what is.

Me eating Kulfi ice cream out of a one time use clay pot

People nap everywhere. Look closely.