Leaving Pushkar-Days 1 and 2- Happy Birthday, George!!

Passed 5 or 6 large herds of camels leaving the city. Their owners had already traded/sold/bought at the fair and were now going home. To reinforce that this is India, have to specify that we passed these herds, not just on the country roads, but also on the divided "highway" to Jaipur. Try to picture 100 camels and their herders ambling in the left hand lane of Rt 40 as trucks, cars, bicycles, and pedestrians careen past.

Well, that's a poor analogy as you can't compare the 2 roads at all. This road to Jaipur, like most roads here is under construction with many " diversions" , construction debris spilling over into the lanes , speed bumps , and on -coming traffic. I have some great videos which I'll post on You- tube of some of these conditions.

Spent all day at Jaipur airport as Air India flight to Mumbai delayed 6 hours We missed our connecting flight to Aurangabad so our schedule for our last 4 days has been rearranged a bit.

Arriving at night, we find Mumbai lit like NYC! And as we drive its streets, we think perhaps we are on the Hudson, and not the Arabian Sea.

A spontaneous visit to a cafe near our hotel evolves into a great bd celebration and redemption of the day! We eat real steak that tastes real good! We find we are the only customers and so get up to dance to George's favorite, Rod Stewart. PDA in India!!! The many waiters, greeters, owner smile, wink, take pictures. The cooks grin sheepishly through the window of the swinging door.

All then gather to sing "Happy Birthday" and present us with a chocolate cake.

We are grateful and tip generously and leave very, very happy.

The next morning we take an hour's ride around the harbor on a small passenger ferry. We are the only non- Indians. We pay an extra 10 rupees to mount the steps to the top deck. ( cost was 120 rupees--$2.40. )

Along the way, the boat stops and delivers water tubs and other goods to similar vessels moored in the harbor. In India, there are many ways to make a buck.

Although there are signs plastered on railings and walls abjuring photography by order of the Navy, I take pictures. I am careful where I stand to snap the shutter; parts of the railing are missing.

If the boat has life jackets on board, they are well-hidden. The molded plastic rows of orange chairs are so well worn, they have evolved into rockers.

But we arrive back at our starting point and are sad to leave the water. It is back to the car and our English learning young driver who left his home in Bengal to get work in this teeming city.

We see the usual sights, the India Gate and the Taj Mahal Hotel where, by happy chance, George W is now in residence. We see the slums featured in Slumdog Millionaire. Do not take pictures there.

Unremarkably, we see a cow. Remarkably, we see a cat--skinny and sickly. It is the first feline sighting in 26 days in the country.

We pass through the lively fish market where you can be hung out to dry if you are not iced first. We discover how the laundries find the space for drying hotel sheets.

And the pigeons unfit for St. Mark's Square in Venice find refuge in Mumbai where corn is scattered to feed them.

This is now day 2 of trying to get to Aurangabad. The 1/2 hour flight that was to leave Mumbai at 3 has been postponed twice-- now till 6:30.

The reason for all these delays? Staff not showing up.

Will try to post this now. If no further posts forthcoming, send help to Bombay Airport.