Che Viaggio!: 1983 India: Bombay (10/30-11/1/1983)

(The journal did not survive the trip! Notes are based on a date book I had.)

Sunday, October 30, 1983

Depart Geneva at 18:15 pm.

Monday, October 31, 1983

Arrive Bombay 13:00.

Form to claim the camera came into India with me

Form to claim how much money came into India with me

Currency exchange receipt

I remember spending hours at the airport working on my Air India pass. I had a month pass for unlimited air travel on Air India, but did not realize I had to give them my itinerary for the whole month when I picked up the pass. I had to quickly plan the whole month while they made the reservations for each leg. I would have to reconfirm each flight 24 hours in advance, which was almost like booking each flight as it came up anyway.

Finally, I caught a taxi into the city of Bombay and not having a hotel, the taxi driver, as is the custom I was soon to learn, knew of a place. I have no idea where in the city I ended up, at a small place where I had a room not much bigger than the bed, with a communal toilet (the ubiquitous ceramic hole-in-the-floor) down the hall.

The ride into Bombay was overwhelming, with all the shanty towns. It seemed millions of people lived in the streets, and burned cow dung fires. As an American, having lived in Switzerland for more than two years, the poverty was appalling.

Tuesday, November 1, 1983

Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is a 26 m/85' tall yellow basalt and concrete arch built 1911-1924, designed by George Wittet in Indo-Saracenic style that combines Hindu/Rajput and Muslim architectural elements. It was originally built as a symbol of British power and majesty to welcome viceroys and governors as they disembarked from ships.

Gateway of India piercework screen

The piercework screen is from Gwalior, India.

Gateway if India

Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji was unveiled on India's Republic Day in 1961. He was king of the Marathas 1674-1680, having established his Hindu-revival empire by developing guerrilla warfare methods against the Islamic sultanates. He is sometimes considered the first step in the long road to Indian independence.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel opened in 1903, designed by Indian architects Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, blending Islamic/Moorish style with European and Rajput styles.

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Tower

The Taj Mahal Tower was opened in 1973, designed by American architect Melton Bekker.

Buses on Apollo Pier Road

In India they drive on the left side of the road, which made crossing streets a challenge at first.

Wellington Circle

Where are all the people? It was very, very early in the morning.

Prince of Wales Museum

The Prince of Wales Museum was built 1905-1915, designed by George Wittet in Indo-Saracenic style. The museum was inaugurated in 1922.

Sidestreet

University of Bombay Library

The University of Bombay was established in 1857. The library and clock tower were built 1869-78, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in a combination of Gothic and Venetian styles.

University of Bombay Rajabai Clock Tower

The 85 m/280' clock tower stands over the library and is named for the mother of a donor. It is modeled after the Big Ben tower in London, and made with local Kurla stone.

Heading to the watering hole

Flora Fountain

Flora Fountain (1864), designed by Richard Norman Shaw, is surmounted by the Roman goddess Flora sculpted by James Forsythe in imported Portland stone.