Mumbai Metro 101

Surviving the Mumbai Metro 101:
1) Do not buy the triple priced 1st class tickets as you will never have time to find the 1st class car when the train stops. 2nd class is the only way to travel on these short trips.
2) Do not bring any large bags or luggage as you need both hands to push your way on and off.
3) When the train stops you have about 20 seconds to board before it takes off again. Get aggressive!
4) Ask 4-5 locals if platform 2 is going to Churchgate. We always found several different answers and that is how you end up in Kurla. :)
5) The women's car seemed to be at the front or back, but with no markings it is best to stick together.
6) If you are traveling 15 stops try to push your way to the middle of the train so you don't have to go through the abuse at every stop of men getting off and on.
7) Watch your wallet as this would be a PRIME spot for pick pocketing.
8) HOLD ON...the Mumbai Metro is not like the smooth European trains.
9) Don't take the train in summer as there is no AC and it would be sweltering!
10) Study the Mumbai Metro map online before you go to get a feel for where you need to go.

Mumbai...The Old Bombay

This past weekend we tackled the largest city in India...Mumbai. 15 million people on this west coast city that was formerly called Bombay. Mumbai port handles more than half of India's foreign trade and is the home to Bollywood. We were very impressed with Mumbai as the streets were sweeped, cars followed the traffic lights, the roads were good, and it really had a sense of organization. Five months ago you would have not found me using the word organization to describe anything in India, but this is the best they can do. Saturday-Monday we took in the beautiful architecture and hustle and bustle of Mumbai. Our favorite attraction was Elephanta Island & Caves about 10 km by boat from Gateway of India. A World Heritage Site that features caves carved between 450 AD-750 AD by monks. It was nice to take a short boat trip and trek all over the island enjoying the great outdoors away from city life. We also enjoyed CST train station, Crawford Market, Chowpatty Beach, The Hanging Gardens & Kamala Nehru Park, University of Mumbai, High Court, and Oval Maidan. The combination of weather, palm trees, a light sea breeze, and sitting in the park watching thousands of young men play cricket was really relaxing. Personally I enjoyed shopping on the streets of Colaba where you could buy really cool clothes for $3. There will be a future blog article on my new pants that I got in Colaba...they are rather unique. We visited the Leopold Cafe in Colaba, the Gateway of India, saw the Taj Mahal hotel, and surprisingly enjoyed the Mumbai Metro. A once in a lifetime experience to ride the Mumbai Metro where pushing and shoving are essential if you want to get on and off the train.
Pictures: 1) Elephanta Caves 2)Crawford Market 3)Cricket at Oval Maiden 4)Mumbai High Court 5) Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel