We spent two days in Mumbai India!! This was the first time David and I had travelled to India, and we really didn't know what to expect here. Mumbai is a very big city and many people do speak English... just not very many of the people we needed to speak with. The first taxi driver we got barely spoke any English at all, and I couldn't wait until we caught the next taxi. Unfortunately... the next driver was even less able to understand us, and vice versa! So for two days we struggled. But we managed to always get where we needed to be.
We have found that people everywhere are willing to help when approached in a nice way. "The Ugly American" won't get much assistance or good service. However, by treating others with patience and graciousness we more often than not found them going out of their way to help us. One gentleman took time out from his schedule to lead us to an area we had been seeking. Another business owner opened early one evening so that we could complete a mandatory food scavenge that required us to eat a meal in a particular area.
Explaining that we are in a competition... a game... a race... always creates interest. But it does not always get the desired result. Some people get nervous or suspicious because they just do not understand what we're all about. Many absolutely do NOT want to be photographed. We've had people beg to be in photos with us, and others get upset at the prospect of having their picture taken. We have learned never to photograph someone without their permission.
One thing we've learned is certain... kids are the same all over the world! They all are curious. They all are shy at the age of 2. They all love stickers (thanks for the tip, Derek). We have delighted in seeing children in all of our stops, and in Mumbai we visited with children living the Dharavi slum. Despite their living conditions, these children are just as happy as any other child elsewhere. Material things may be lacking, but those same material things do not endure. It's more about what they get from family and community in terms of love and security. A good lesson...
We have found that people everywhere are willing to help when approached in a nice way. "The Ugly American" won't get much assistance or good service. However, by treating others with patience and graciousness we more often than not found them going out of their way to help us. One gentleman took time out from his schedule to lead us to an area we had been seeking. Another business owner opened early one evening so that we could complete a mandatory food scavenge that required us to eat a meal in a particular area.
Explaining that we are in a competition... a game... a race... always creates interest. But it does not always get the desired result. Some people get nervous or suspicious because they just do not understand what we're all about. Many absolutely do NOT want to be photographed. We've had people beg to be in photos with us, and others get upset at the prospect of having their picture taken. We have learned never to photograph someone without their permission.
One thing we've learned is certain... kids are the same all over the world! They all are curious. They all are shy at the age of 2. They all love stickers (thanks for the tip, Derek). We have delighted in seeing children in all of our stops, and in Mumbai we visited with children living the Dharavi slum. Despite their living conditions, these children are just as happy as any other child elsewhere. Material things may be lacking, but those same material things do not endure. It's more about what they get from family and community in terms of love and security. A good lesson...
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