What have you been up to Kim?

Whew! School has been kicking my ass lately, and I'm not alone accordingly to Julie! Physically I'm holding up well, but mentally this program is taxing to say the least. It requires you to actually attend every class and pay attention; something some of you guys know I'm bad at. The tests are vigorous as are our daily schedules. So how does the sanity equation balance itself? With a little bit of fun and relaxation or course. Here are some pictures that were taken this semester.

This is the Gateway to India. It's a pretty big tourist attraction, and it happens to be across the street from a 5 star hotel. A word of advice for you guys thinking of visiting this attraction. Beware the snake charmer who randomly opens his apparatus to reveal a springing cobra. Yeah, imagine our chagrin when some random dude on the street took out his cobra for show and tell.


This picture was taken from a crosswalk above the Koliwada station stop. More than half the city's population of 13 million reside outside of the city. The Train is the main mode of transportation for these folks. They hang from the side of the cars. I wonder what they do with their Lay's bags and other trash?

Dhobi Ghat! This is a unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. All for a pittance. The "laundries" are called "ghats": row upon row of concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. Next they are ironed and piled into neat bundles. This is a picture of the most famous ghats at Saat Rasta near Mahalaxmi Station where almost two hundred dhobis and their families work together in what has always been a hereditary occupation.

This guy is taking a break to embrace the camera.

Here's an example of a mangy dog chilling on the sidewalk overlooking Dhobi Ghat. During the day, they are everywhere and are for the most part docile and harmless. It's a totally different story at night...

Lord Krishna's birthday is celebrated on the street in front of our hostel. Legend has it that when Lord Krishna was really young, he was really fond of eating the butter and milk that his mom bought for the family. She would have to go to great lengths to keep it out of his reach. One day she decided to put it in a pot and tie it high up so Krishna would be shit out of luck. So every year on his birthday, teams of people gather to form human pyramids to try to get to a pot hanging high in the street. The ropes holding up the pot of butter and milk are adorned with colorful fruits. There is a main challenge in the center of Mumbai(jackpot of $30,000), while recreations take place in all parts of town.

After two attempts, the yellow team got the job done. Mind you this is in the rain, in the middle of the street, and 40+ feet in the air. Here is an ecstatic member


Here is how they did it. Nutso isn't it?

A little study aid.


The aid is not complete without a salty snack.

A couple of us at the bar in Phoenix mills compound. That's me, Rachel, Colin, and Mark.

Here's one of us at the Salt water cafe. It was pretty nice there.

Off to bed.. Don't let the bed bugs bite.