Welcome to week 2. This week I will share my observations about life here in Mumbai and my experiences with some aspects of life in Mumbai.
Weather
Starting with the obvious, the weather. In India, currently, it is winter. Despite this, it is 30 degrees celsius, give or take daily. Although it is humid, there is practically no wind, and the sun isn’t as intense. Unlike Auckland, where it is humid, and windy and the sun burns anyone who dares to wander outside and causes panic buying of fans. The best thing to do is to wear light, airy clothing, but avoid the midday sun, because you will sweat just standing there. I learnt this the hard way when I went for a walk near my workplace during the lunch break 😓.
Work
Work and work culture. I have noted that the work culture here is relaxed. With start times being 10am/11am for most people. But people don’t start working immediately once they are at work, they socialise and have breakfast, that they bring with them. Then lunch at around 12pm/1pm, it is an hour long 😲and is more of a shared lunch. Everyone gathers (from all the departments) and shares whatever they have bought. It’s a great way to socialise, relax and disconnect while at work. It’s so wholesome and I love it, I want this hour long lunch back in Auckland (absolutely done with half and hour lunches while continuing working and not being able to enjoy and appreciate my food). Then there are regular chai/snack breaks at about 1pm/2pm and then again at about 4/5pm.
The other aspect of a relaxed work culture is how relaxed and unstressed they are about deadlines and tasks that aren’t met or done correctly. There’s an understanding when things go wrong, but it’s okay and they will resolve it and move on, but there doesn’t always seem to be a sense of urgency. Which confused me, as we have always been taught to meet deadlines and get things done right the first time.
Commute/Travel
Commuting by local trains is one of the most chaotic experiences but fun experiences, here in Mumbai. Everyday there is something a little different, and there is always something new to notice or experience everyday whether it is at the stations (food/drinks), or the journey itself.
Most people commute to and from using the local trains. The local train network is a marvel, transporting over 7 million people daily, trains every 5-10 mins and options for the types of carriage and trains (1st class, 2nd class/general, AC all of which also have options for women’s only and disability carriages). The rush hours here are from about 9am – 12pm and then again from about 4pm – 8pm. Thankfully, we travel in the opposite direction of the traffic most people so while it is a little busy, its not too bad.
My commute both ways takes about 2.5 hours daily. Involves a lot of walking (completely optional – I could get a rickshaw, but I enjoy the walk and get my steps in). The train rides are fun, and so different to what I am used to back home. At every stop there are people rushing to get on as well as off (some people get on and off the train before it even has come to a stop 🤯). Often there are people on the trains selling smallware’s on the trains, such as claw clips, barrettes, facemasks etc.. Imagine food and drink outlets at Auckland train stations and little stores selling small useful items like umbrellas and raincoats.
Life
The number of people feels absurd. Going in, I knew the population of Mumbai was incredibly greater than all of New Zealand’s combined several times over, but seeing it in person is a whole other experience. There are people everywhere, there is always a crowd everywhere you go, at times its overwhelming, as you are constantly pushing through crowds or avoiding walking into people on the streets but at other times its nice to know there are people about.
Life in general seems to move slowly here as do the people, it’s a more relaxed lifestyle. As an Aucklander the speed at people walk (leisurely stroll) doesn’t work for me and I have to constantly walk around people to avoid stepping on the backs of their shoes.
Every morning on my way to work I see people gathered around the street vendors selling chai and breakfast snacks (since they’re the only ones open in the morning), having a yearn, never going to see that in the fast paced culture in Auckland where everyone is rushing to get places. Although by the afternoon/evening everything is open and the streets are bustling with people, children on their way home from school and its so lively and noisy with all the traffic.
Another thing I noticed is the lack of supermarkets but the many local convenience stores in every street. From pharmacies, dairies to small restaurants, really anything you need is about a 10-15 minute walk. Whatever isn’t can be ordered and delivered to your door from many of the delivery services like Swiggy. Fresh verge’s, unlike back home the concept of fresh food here’s also different. With most people buying their fresh fruits and vegetables from street vendors like this daily, at all times of the day for each meal time, there seems to be haggling involved here as well. Although the vendors also throw in some fresh herbs like coriander to finalise the negotiations.
And that’s it for now!