Friday, November 28, 2008

Mumbai still quiet.

Odd to see Mumbai shut down for 2 full days. We have had a train bombing since I have been here, frequent political groups calling for 'bundhs' (closing down of shops and city in protest). But usually it is 12 or so hours and Mumbai is back to life. At this posting there still seem to be hostages, the TV channels have cut off news for a bit and possible shootings near the Victoria Terminus.

I stay in Bandra, which is a northern suburb, the first of the suburbs actually...not that you can really tell where the city ends and suburbs begin. The action is happening in south Mumbai, the Downtown area - not that far by distance but at least an hour due to usual traffic. I am steering clear of the area and I do not know of any friends down there, besides a photojournalist friend who is photos are in the NY Times

My flatmates are moving flats this weekend, slowly work in mumbai is happening, some shops are open. Feels kind of strange being out and about, not in a fearful way. Feel I am being stared at more than usual, either people are surprised I am out or as a friend said maybe they are curious how I am doing, as a foreigner. Strange, not usual for foreigners to be targeted in Mumbai.

Have come in to the office, mainly to get my laptop fixed so I can actually finish my last week of work. Somber times, our thanksgiving dinner was canceled, it was to be held at the Taj Lands End - thankfully this all did not happen a day later or that 5 star branch may have been a target as there were to be large numbers of foreigners gathered. We did gather a small group of friends in someones home and put together some delicious dishes, all feeling thankful we were safe.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good to hear!

Anon

Anonymous said...

I had expected a thorough examination and write up of the streets on your next blog post, but hey with the news channels beaming it live 24x7, what was left for you to write that hasn't been talked about? The stares part was a bit confusing though!
I had expected that with the news of a Jewish house being targetted in the city, some Indians would actually get to know who Jews exactly are and the fact that India (and Bombay) for long has had a low-profiled tiny little community tucked up in some corner of the city.
However, I miss one specific detail I had hoped you would give a passing mention - if more people on streets are trying to know which country you are from...

Anon

Anonymous said...

Don't think they would have attacked Taj Lands End, even after knowing about a huge gathering of foreigners. Simply because its not that easy to land on the shores of that part of Mumbai.
A) because there's more rush along the coast in that part of the city with virtually no area that might be considered safe for landing.
and
B) Its much easier to go on a killing spree in the night in south Mumbai than Sub-urban areas like Bandra or Juhu or Andheri. They would not have been able to run this far. Colaba/Fort areas become quite empty in the night as they are commercial areas. They are mostly populated in the day time. Its was easier for the terrorists to escape from the Fort/Colaba area a there is less density of population in that area.