Last Sunday I took a fun day trip on the back of my colleague Saurabh's Royal Enfield bike. (Sorry Mom!). It was the first sunny day I had seen here in Mumbai so we were eager to get out and enjoy. We had one piece of business to take care. I had to get my passport photos for the pending FRRO. I checked with the concierge by phone after breakfast and he said he would give me the address of the place, which opened at 10am. Good news! So, when Saurabh arrived and we were ready to leave, I went to the concierge desk but it was a different guy. (Affectionately known as the "B Team") He didn't know the address but knew the name "Navarang Photo" and knew it was across the lake in Hiranandani. This is name of the whole neighborhood surrounding the Maersk office and the general whereabouts of where we are planning to live. With some landmark oriented questions Saurabh pinpointed the store's general location. We eased past the hotel security and out onto the rarely uncrowded roads. It's a quick ride to Hiranandani and before we knew it we were at Powai plaza, a group of shops and vendors near the office. Luckily for me they had erected a Pandal which is the local word for where they keep their Murthis, or Ganesh idols, during the Chaturthi celebrations. The idols are kept in the Pandal until the end of the festival when they are taken down the the sea and submersed. Until that time you can give offerings so Saurabh encouraged me to take part in this aspect of the culture. There was a small awning and about 20 chairs set up. Some people were sitting there in apparent reverance. There was an idol on a stage in front and you were encouraged to give an odd number as an offering, e.g. Rs 11 instead of 10 or 20. After giving an offering you go and pray and then receive a sweet doughy treat. We slipped our shoes back on and were back on the hunt for the photo shop. Then we saw the big yellow sign KODAK, "Navarang Digital Lab." We stepped into the small 2 level shop, and Saurabh asked about 4cmX4cm passport photos. They quickly said, "FRRO?" Haha they know the drill. I went upstairs and sat on the bench. Saurabh joined me (I am sure just for fun) and said, "hey Matt, you may want to comb your hair!" I looked in the mirror there hanging on the wall and my hair was standing straight up from the motorcycle ride. Saurabh jokingly said, "you can use that comb," pointing to a red comb laying on the dirty floor. The picture was made with pro photog flash and all, and we were told 1hr. Saurabh paids for my pics even after my protest. Rs. 100. Or about $1.25 for 6 photos. No telling how much they would've been if he wasn't there. He told the guy we were going to see the new Hindi movie "Dabaang" and the shopkeeper strongly endorsed it. There we were off to the mall that is only a year or 2 old, to the "Big Cinema" via Ghatkapor (the neighborhood we drive through). Beautiful day and fun ride. We parked in the motorcyle section of the parking deck, and rode a crowded elevator up to 3rd floor of the mall. There we went through a metal detector which it seems to be very standard procedure everywhere. Obviously I am cool with that. Ordering the ticket is interesting because here, at least at this cinema, the seats are assigned. So you pick your seats when you purchase just like you would if you got nice seats for a concert. We decided on B 18 and 19. 2nd from the back on the left a little. We had some time to kill before the show so we went to the food court. We got an order of Mutton Kebab. The chutney they had was not spicy enough we asked for spicier. We went back in, and they delivered our "combo". Which consists of 2 small (very small) pepsis 2 medium popcorns, and 2 samosas. Rs180. The movie theatre is very modern, clean, with comfortable reclining chairs. There were a few previews, and then we all had to stand for the playing of the National anthem. The movie itself was really cool. Probably the perfect Hindi movie for me since I cant understand a word. This movie stars Salman Khan, who doesnt look a day over 30, but apparently is a trainer in his 50's. It is laden with action scenes, comedy, and of course chorographed dances. Good times.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Mumbiker
Last Sunday I took a fun day trip on the back of my colleague Saurabh's Royal Enfield bike. (Sorry Mom!). It was the first sunny day I had seen here in Mumbai so we were eager to get out and enjoy. We had one piece of business to take care. I had to get my passport photos for the pending FRRO. I checked with the concierge by phone after breakfast and he said he would give me the address of the place, which opened at 10am. Good news! So, when Saurabh arrived and we were ready to leave, I went to the concierge desk but it was a different guy. (Affectionately known as the "B Team") He didn't know the address but knew the name "Navarang Photo" and knew it was across the lake in Hiranandani. This is name of the whole neighborhood surrounding the Maersk office and the general whereabouts of where we are planning to live. With some landmark oriented questions Saurabh pinpointed the store's general location. We eased past the hotel security and out onto the rarely uncrowded roads. It's a quick ride to Hiranandani and before we knew it we were at Powai plaza, a group of shops and vendors near the office. Luckily for me they had erected a Pandal which is the local word for where they keep their Murthis, or Ganesh idols, during the Chaturthi celebrations. The idols are kept in the Pandal until the end of the festival when they are taken down the the sea and submersed. Until that time you can give offerings so Saurabh encouraged me to take part in this aspect of the culture. There was a small awning and about 20 chairs set up. Some people were sitting there in apparent reverance. There was an idol on a stage in front and you were encouraged to give an odd number as an offering, e.g. Rs 11 instead of 10 or 20. After giving an offering you go and pray and then receive a sweet doughy treat. We slipped our shoes back on and were back on the hunt for the photo shop. Then we saw the big yellow sign KODAK, "Navarang Digital Lab." We stepped into the small 2 level shop, and Saurabh asked about 4cmX4cm passport photos. They quickly said, "FRRO?" Haha they know the drill. I went upstairs and sat on the bench. Saurabh joined me (I am sure just for fun) and said, "hey Matt, you may want to comb your hair!" I looked in the mirror there hanging on the wall and my hair was standing straight up from the motorcycle ride. Saurabh jokingly said, "you can use that comb," pointing to a red comb laying on the dirty floor. The picture was made with pro photog flash and all, and we were told 1hr. Saurabh paids for my pics even after my protest. Rs. 100. Or about $1.25 for 6 photos. No telling how much they would've been if he wasn't there. He told the guy we were going to see the new Hindi movie "Dabaang" and the shopkeeper strongly endorsed it. There we were off to the mall that is only a year or 2 old, to the "Big Cinema" via Ghatkapor (the neighborhood we drive through). Beautiful day and fun ride. We parked in the motorcyle section of the parking deck, and rode a crowded elevator up to 3rd floor of the mall. There we went through a metal detector which it seems to be very standard procedure everywhere. Obviously I am cool with that. Ordering the ticket is interesting because here, at least at this cinema, the seats are assigned. So you pick your seats when you purchase just like you would if you got nice seats for a concert. We decided on B 18 and 19. 2nd from the back on the left a little. We had some time to kill before the show so we went to the food court. We got an order of Mutton Kebab. The chutney they had was not spicy enough we asked for spicier. We went back in, and they delivered our "combo". Which consists of 2 small (very small) pepsis 2 medium popcorns, and 2 samosas. Rs180. The movie theatre is very modern, clean, with comfortable reclining chairs. There were a few previews, and then we all had to stand for the playing of the National anthem. The movie itself was really cool. Probably the perfect Hindi movie for me since I cant understand a word. This movie stars Salman Khan, who doesnt look a day over 30, but apparently is a trainer in his 50's. It is laden with action scenes, comedy, and of course chorographed dances. Good times.
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