Mumbai Mayhem: Curry, Chaos, and a Seriously Weird Pigeon
okay, so mumbai. where do i even begin? i’m elara, by the way, and i’m a botanist. usually, i’m knee-deep in ferns and moss, not dodging scooters and trying to figure out what’s edible from a street vendor’s cart. but hey, fieldwork is fieldwork, right? I’m here ostensibly to study the surprisingly resilient plant life clinging to the city’s architecture, but mostly i’m just trying to survive.
The weather? i just checked and it’s…a humid hug. 21.4 degrees, feels like 20.43. Pressure’s at 1021, humidity’s a solid 32%. Basically, you’re gonna sweat. A lot. Pack light, breathable fabrics. Seriously. Don't even think about denim.
I’ve been crashing in a tiny guesthouse in *Bandra, which is…an experience. The walls are thin, the plumbing is questionable, and the guy downstairs seems to be practicing the sitar at 3 am. But it’s cheap, and it’s got a balcony where i can watch the world go by. If you get bored, Pune and Nashik are just a short train ride away - both have some pretty interesting botanical gardens, actually.
Speaking of the world going by, the sheer volume of people is something else. It’s like being in a constant, slightly frantic dance. And the smells! Oh, the smells. A glorious, overwhelming mix of spices, exhaust fumes, and something vaguely floral that i can’t quite place. I spent a good hour just wandering through Crawford Market, trying to identify everything. It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. Check it out on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g319724-d117787-Reviews-Crawford_Market-Mumbai_Maharashtra.html.
I overheard some drunk advice the other night - apparently, the best vada pav in the city is from a little stall near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. I haven’t found it yet, but the quest continues. Someone also told me that the pigeons here are…different. Apparently, they’re unusually bold and have a penchant for stealing snacks. I can confirm. One tried to snatch a samosa right out of my hand. It was terrifying.
“Don’t make eye contact with the pigeons. Seriously. They’re plotting something.”
I’ve been trying to document the plants growing in the cracks of the buildings - tiny succulents, tenacious vines, even a few orchids. It’s amazing how much life finds a way to thrive in this concrete jungle. I’m using a new macro lens for this trip, and it’s been a game-changer. If you’re into photography, check out some tips on using macro lenses here: https://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-tips/.
I also stumbled upon a really cool street art scene in Ballard Pier*. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but totally worth it. You can find some local artists and galleries listed on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=street+art&find_loc=Mumbai%2C+Maharashtra. It’s a vibrant, ever-changing canvas.
Honestly, mumbai is…a lot. It’s chaotic, overwhelming, and occasionally terrifying. But it’s also incredibly vibrant, fascinating, and full of life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just…watch out for the pigeons.
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