Shopping

The shopping you have to do before going to India is about the same amount as the shopping you plan to do in India.  Shopping for family, friends, acquaintances and yourself is difficult, especially when you are busy because you are leaving for India.  Online shopping is the best, quickly get it done anywhere and it'll be delivered soon, and in packaging that's, well, easy to pack!  But then you don't know exactly what your getting and you also have to look at shipping costs!  I have so much to do and so little time I have yet to shop and I have a mere three weeks left to do it!  Honestly, it's a struggle.  Returning anything will not be an option for me!  Today I plan to get some shopping done not only for myself but also some family.  Then...packing is another story.

VINE

I cannot wait to vine my trip in india!  I only wish longer videos were allowed!  But nonetheless vining in india should be amazing.  Short little clips of my trip are going to make it memorable when I come back!  Cant wait!  Here I come Mumbai!

Mumbai Thoughts

I honestly don't know if I can wait anymore.  It's 15 days until finals and then after that 6 days till I get on a plane to India.  How is anyone supposed to concentrate with those deadlines on anything?  So many things to accomplish in the time left.  I have to lose 10 pounds, shop and pack for india, study and ace finals, finish my math review video project, finish my tile painting for school, read and get tested on a stupid book for English and study for all exams! WOW! So much to do in so little time and yet I wish that time would just hurry on up!  15 days till finals and we have yet to start reviewing in any class!  What will I do?

Chai Addict

Are you  a caffeine addict?  Well I cannot say chai is the same but its definitely not a herbal tea.  Chai is a tea that is similar to coffee.  Chai is a specialty in India.  It is said any woman that can make chai is a successful woman.  Indians take pride in their tea but they have every right to do so.  I have had my mothers tea many times, I've made tea myself also, I've tried tea at others houses, and at restaurants but no tea is the chai in India.  The first thing I'd like to enjoy when I reach Mumbai is CHAI.  It's better than coffee, chai latte.  Now imagine a caffeine addict going five years without coffee, impossible right?  Well that's what I've been doing, the impossible.  Now yes I have had tea in the past five years but it wasn't anywhere near real chai.  There's a difference.  Now I'm just wondering, when I do get to India, I'm definitely going to miss Starbucks and McDonald's coffee.  This is where I'll hit a bump in the road.  When I'm in the U.S. I miss real chai but when I'm there I miss coffee and fast-food.  There's no winning but I'll find some median, hopefully soon.

Mumbai Movie Mania

So I've been watching tons of  my old Bollywood favorites lately.  Each making me more Mumbaisick than before.  Missing Mumbai is one of those things I've been doing for around five years now, I finally get to go and it's almost unbelievable.  So far I've been watching a lot of movies like "mere brother ki dulhan", "Namaste London", and "outsourced"; the movies I can relate to when I go to India being an "NRI"(non residential indian).  Sometimes, well most times, I feel the need to just pack everything and move there!  Maybe in the future Mumbai will be my home and thus this blog.  If I do have Mumbai in my future I'd like it documented.  I'd like to remember how I was feeling before, during, and after.  Visiting India is very different than moving there but why not experience it?  Life is full of risks and this is one I'm willing to take.  So for now I'll stick to movies and a two month visit but soon I'll be planning a home there, you never though.  Nothing is set in concrete!  I'd definitely like to go to a movie theatre there though, I'll be putting that on my list of things to do there.

Hygiene

Hygiene in America and hygiene in Mumbai are two completely different things.  Lets set out the outline for this to make it simple though, hygiene in America is quick, simple, easy and pretty forgiving most times while in Mumbai it is difficult, a struggle and almost never forgiving.  But why the injustice right?  Well here you are.  America has amenities which are luxuries in India and most other countries.  America has easy access, America has nice weather.  America also has alternatives for the busy and the lazy.  What do I mean by that?  I'm talking deodorant, dry shampoo, perfume, hair styling products and even the weather!  India on the other hand is filled with heat, pollution and overcrowded streets!  So when your out for lunch the heat will make you sweat, the UV rays from the hot sun will damage your hair, the pollution from the sky will take a toll on your skin, the animals and people will make you wish you didn't have a nose, and the traffic will make sure you endure all these things.  After such a struggle to get through the day though, you will make sure you get in a hot relaxing bath at the end of the day.  So what do you need to pack when your traveling to India, specifically Mumbai?  Here's my list so far, I'm completely open to suggestions by the way!

1.  Shampoo and Conditioner

why? Indians might have nice hair but it is not their shampoo, its the amount of times they get their heads massaged in oil and their organic eating habits, so still to your usual if you don't wanna freak out your scalp.  of course trying out new things isn't forbidden but make sure you have a backup just in case.

2.  Toothbrush and Toothpaste

why?  Now yes you can find your toothpaste in India, but you're going to India to enjoy, travel, meet, etc.  not go on a scavenger hunt for toiletries!  Make sure you have this, because while toothbrushes and toothpaste can be found at every corner of the road I can guarantee you won't want a "spicy" or "ginger" flavored toothpaste, you will want your 3D crest ultra whitening minty fresh toothpaste and your sonic.

3.  DEO

why?  I cannot stress enough, IT IS A MUST.   The heat, the crowded place and just the stress will make you crazy, be able to keep your pits clean and nice!  They do not have a variety there so you will need to take your own!

4.  Razors and shaving cream

why?  well for a first, I am almost sure shaving cream is unheard of in India, at least from what I know.  And the razors suck, if your used to Venus embrace and Schick hyrosilk (like moi) then don't even try to compromise, because even if you use disposable razors in the U.S.A.  these are far below that line. 

5.  brushes and combs

why?  you'll find them but they'll be dollar store.  It's a promise.

6.  Insect repellant!

why?  Mosquitos! and all other harmless yet annoying pests.  In a city of pollution and heat there's no escape!  Be sure you take some or regret.

7.  Sunscreen

why?  Don't forget this, it is probably the most important.  Save everything from the sun!   In fact in addiction to moisturizing face cream with SPF and sunscreen for your body also go ahead and get hair spray designed to save your hair from UV rays.  Trust me on this one.

there's much more but we'll get to that next time!

PACKING

Now I am definitely in no place to say this but PACK.  When traveling to India from any part of the world (unless it's like Pakistan or something), especially if it's for the first time, packing as early as possible is the best way to go.  Imagine all the necessities you have and write them down!  I promise atleast 2/3 of those things will be a struggle to find in India.  Now Mumbai is a rather modern city but it still has major setbacks.  Now I'm not criticizing it so don't freak out!  All I'm saying is the city of dreams comes with a price and you should be prepared!  Don't worry though, I'm here to help:) Good luck!

Maybe to Mumbai?

Mumbai was always an iffy for me. I've been there a total of maybe twice in my life?  And yet I miss it everyday.  Is it the food? the family? the shopping? or all of it?  When I go I cannot wait to leave but then I miss it like crazy.  This time I'd like to document my visit!  Weigh out the pros and cons of Mumbai and see what is it really about the place that holds its own in my heart. 

My inspiration to documenting it? videsigirlinmumbai.blogspot.com/