Day 0: Arriving in Mumbai

The journey to India was a long one, but atleast it was filled with some interesting people and moments. I met a couple in their 80's who were traveling from Minneapolis to Venice (Italy) where they first met. On the way to Amsterdam I sat beside a fellow who works for Porsche, we shared many interesting conversations during that 8 hour flight. Once I arrived in Amsterdam i was exhausted. I had barley slept the night before I left but didn't want to sleep now, that had to wait till Mumbai. Within a couple hours after my arrival in Amsterdam my flight to Mumbai started boarding.. I was the only western in slight. Before letting me on the plane they pulled me aside and started questioning me. Why was i traveling alone? where was I staying? Why was i sweating? For that last one I simply told him I was Canadian and found it oddly warm there. He then proceeded to take all my debit and creditcards then went off to consult with his coworker. They would talk, stop, then look over their shoulders at me before asking me more questions. They finally proceeded to let me though, after a full 360 degree ex-ray scan. (also, I have been physically searched at every airport including Saskatoons, what up with that?)

My flight to Mumbai was my first culture shock. Luckily I was seated with an Indian women, my age, who was very helpful in walking me through how to eat all the ethnic food they served during the flight.

Basic room @ Hotel New Bengal, 775rs.($18/night)

I arrive in Mumbai with the notion that everyone is going to scam me in some way. I got a prepaid taxi to my hotel, the actual ride will have to be saved for another time. The hotel was somewhat disappointing at first. Clean, by Indian standards, but very basic. There are no bugs, but my walls are made of plywood. (and as i am typing this there goes the power.. again..)

Umm, caging at the top for ventilation? 

At the time of writing 'day-0' in my paper-form journal I was disappointed by Mumbai. As much as I first questioned why I would come to India i'm glad to know that has changed by the first 'real' day. (more on that next post)

Departing for India!

I am leaving for the airport in a couple of minutes, my flight departs at 5:50am.

It will be a full day of travel, with 4-6 hour layovers in both Minneapolis then Amsterdam before finally arriving in Mumbai at 11pm Wednesday night. It may be a couple of days until my next update just to get my bearings sorted out.

Flights are booked, One Step Closer.

I finalized and booked my flights to India this week. 

I had been watching the prices of tickets from Saskatoon to both Mumbai and New Delhi every day for the past 6-8 weeks. I've always found booking flights to be stressful, especially when you are working with a very tight budget where every dollar counts.

I have seen the cheapest flights fluctuate from $1,350 to well over $2,000 during the past two months. Unfortunately, when the prices were at their lowest the summer had just started so I didn't have the money in the bank to purchase the tickets.

With the help of a little forecasting in prices, and a decent amount of money now in the bank, I was able to finally purchase my tickets towards the end of this week. 

The final price for return airfare to Mumbai from Saskatoon, taxes and fees included, $1470.

My trip to India is being funded entirely by myself and the money I am able to save from my summer employment. I will be showing you all my saving schedule and budget later-on. Staying on track has been, and continues to be, a bit of a struggle to say the least but it's my only option. 

I am fairly happy with the price I was able to book at. The prices shot up again the day after I booked so it looks like my timing was just right.

It seems I am one step closer to my 92 day adventure in India.