Survival Guide To Mumbai

There is no doubt in my mind that Mumbai is a beautiful city filled with diverse people, languages, races & rich with history and culture. BUT this is not an easy place to live. I recently married the love of my life & we moved to Mumbai from south Africa. Luckily my better half was born and raised here so I have someone to show me the ropes but if you dont find yourself as luckly, here are 10 things to look out for:

Dress area appropriate! This is very important (especially for the ladies). Although it is true that Mumbai has great night life & you should bring along your party frocks dont forget that this is a country governed by religion & culture! Make sure you are always dressed considerately and respectfully when making your way around in everyday life.

Be crowd smart! Mumbai is an extremely crowded city with high concentration of people. If you are not used to this environment then make sure you practice caution. Do not try to be a hero and jump into a busy train at peak hours. You might think it sounds like a perfect authentic experience to have, but I can assure you that as you get squashed, pushed & shoved against many sweaty people for the next hour you will regret it.

Prepare to be stared at! This is something you will not fully understand until you experience it first hand. People in Mumbai STARE a lot. This is one of the safest cities in the world but having all those eyes on you can make you feel a bit uneasy at times. If you ignore it, you will soon get used to it.

Guard your mouth! You will be tempted by all kinds of amazing cuisine at every corner so watch what you are eating. It is very easy to forget that you should be on high alert when you are thirsty and the waiter brings you a cold glass of water. Just keep in mind that ONE bacteria that doesnt agree with you will ruin your trip or stay. For the first 3 months at least only drink bottled water & food from big, hygienic restaurants. Once again, its one of those authentic experiences you will regret.

Shop till you drop! This is the shopping experience of India. You will kick yourself if you miss out. You might be over whelmed by all the colours, sights, smells, people & noise around you in the markets that you forget to get in on the action!! Snap out of it and put on your bargaining boots.

Dont be afraid to say NO! People are born with selling skills here but dont feel pressured. If you say no (even if you have to say it 5 times before he/she gives up) the merchant will simply walk to the next potential customer. If fact they will appreciate the fact that you didnt waste their time by pretending to be interested.

Prepare for a bumpy ride! Whether walking on the streets or taking a cab, its going to be bumpy!! so always dress appropriately! Ladies, that means no walking around in high heels - they WILL break! Also try to wear closed shoes, despite the heat as the streets are always filled with puddles & dirt.

Prepare for a HOT winter! Mumbai is hot - Period. In winter the weather stays in the comfortable high 20's, in spring high 30's and summer low 40's. Dont bother to pack your long sleeved anything to this city. I can guarantee you wont be needing it!

When it rains it pours! If you are here in the rainy season (June-September) you are going to get wet. All I can say is dont fight it. Try and enjoy the experience.

The skies are on fire! Every night is seems there is some wedding or festival going on in Mumbai so be prepared for all the fireworks and crackers.


To sum Mumbai up: This is a loud, crowded, dirty and amazing place. I wouldnt suggest it for a honeymoon but if you consider yourself a city slicker come test out your skills here. You are bound to see and learn a thing or two!

Happy Traveling!