Wish me luck Imgur!

Nuclearun

1279

TL:DR basically the image above, plus the fact that I'm very nervous.

I've been working at my company for a little over six months, and I've been helping them to streamline a lot of things, which is a good things since our line of business is expanding. About 6 weeks ago they asked me if I'd be willing to go to Mumbai for two weeks of cross training. I love traveling, and I've traveled internationally before (twice in my life), but never without someone else traveling with me. I'm terrified I'm going to forget something important, or get stuck somewhere. As an exceptionally tall guy being on a plane for 15 hours is going to suck, AND I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb while I'm there (seeing as I'll be at least a foot taller than pretty much everyone in the country). Upsides: The company is paying for me to go and stay (and a daily for meals which is way more than I'll need in India), I'll be meeting people I've spoken to online for the first time, and learning about a new country/culture in person. Downsides: I'm doing the whole trip solo, I'm (hopefully) being picked up at the airport by a car company (no way am I driving in India) and... I won't actually get to meet anyone from work until about three days later. To clarify that last part I'm leaving home in about 24 hours, and I should arrive in Mumbai on Friday around noon, I gave myself the weekend to get acclimatized, but Monday is a (voting?) holiday in India, so not much to do for 3 days, and I'm really not sure how I feel about wandering a city I'm unfamiliar with when I don't even speak the language. I know this is a fantastic opportunity, and it will be an amazing trip, but I'm kinda freaking out.
On a less freak-out note: it's possible that someone from the office will want to do something over the weekend, we just haven't made plans yet... which might be cultural.There are also a few other people from the US going as well, but they are traveling on different dates for... reasons.

If anyone has any suggestions for things to see/try/buy in Mumbai I'm more than willing to do so if I can, and I'll post a follow up in about 2 weeks (16 or so days really) with any pictures I take. I'm not sure how much free time I'll have other than the first weekend though, and I'll probably be unable to do things that should be done in the morning because the work shift I need to match is Noon to 10pm local.

Wish me luck!

Edit: Since several of you have asked, Yes, I'm aware that many, if not most people in Mumbai Likely speak English. That doesn't preclude encountering someone who doesn't. When visiting Rome, most people spoke English, but it still helped more than once that I spoke a middling amount of Italian.

The Airport I'm flying in to.

A bridge in Mumbai?

A... Beach/walkway? in Mumbai.

This one I know: The Gateway of India.

A Bombay cat tax.

#mumbai #whatamidoing #onaplanefor15hours #imtootallforthis #wishmeluck

Aenimalistic01

If you see kids on the street coming up to you, mind your pockets, always insist on the meter in a rickshaw, and dont harass any cows. Enjoy

7 years ago |

puddin151

basically every time i travel international i have to remind myself that if i forget something i can just buy it when i get there dont worry

Nathanfake

DON'T eat anything from street vendors and also always bottled water- you'll be fine.

DaableJ

I appreciate it!

heyysirihowdoikms

Welp, I’ll have fun watching you on a future episode of disappeared or captured, deaded in mumbai

Fishy820

LOL, Locked up Abroad or for the Brits Banged up Abroad which sounds so much different then prison.

That’s the show that was on the tip of my fingertips lol

woozle

but, it has the plague!

But I got my Autism booster shots a few weeks ago, I should be good.

"i mean really, the plague!"

Eatmytwizzler

I travel for work all the time, cost me my relationship. Travel careers and families don't go hand in hand...

I'm getting a 5 year visa just in case, but it doesn't seem like it'll be a frequent thing. once or twice a year most likely.

superbest

Traveling alone can actually be better. You get places faster. You only go where you want. Don't have to check plans with anyone.

h0tdoglatte

not to worry, you're still on the world!

But what happens when the plane flies over the edge of the disk?

The giant birds catch you and bring you back

Oh, that makes sense. What a relief. +1

AskBobLoblaw

English is pretty common.

mariemcd

You do know they speak English right?

Yes, but it seems rude to go to someone else's country and not even be able to ask in their language where the restroom is, or order food.

NoomberFive

English is fine, but "yes" and "no" and greetings are good. Marathi will be more effective than Hindi, there. you won't have issue with food

many bathrooms are sit-down, but you may encounter the squat form. again, no language-barrier concerns, there.

CrapBagandSaladDressing

Even Indians don’t do that. Just speak in English. You should be fine.

wicklownoshortskindaguy

Your lungs will burn for 3 months after you get backand the first breath off the plane will make you want to turn around. Sorry about that.

Should I be getting one of those face masks? I did see that the air there is... something else.

that's hyperbolic or whiny. locals carry a handkerchief instead of a mask. it's highly polluted, but lots to do. check out Elephanta Caves

Dude I hate to be the one to tell you. The constant smell of shit and poisonous air to breath you cannot prepare for nor pretend to enjoy.

I love travel too but there are some places people should not go, Mumbai is one of them.

quade

@OP traveling alone is an amazing experience. Just chat up locals and get advice on hidden gems to explore. It'll be wonderful!

MidnightLibrarian

Don't eat street food. Don't drink tea you haven't seen personally rolling boil. Get a safe for valuables and keep little $ on person.

Street food seems unlikely, I've got a backup wallet, and intend to leave most of my cash in the safe.

street food is amazing! I've never had a problem (maybe lucky), but always took charcoal tablets jic.

I've heard mixed things about charcoal tablets, so I was reluctant to add it to the already large number new things in my diet.

they've helped people I've traveled with. as with anything, be informed and use in the proper context. don't mix with electrolytes, mostly

Mumbai ... overwhelming for most to start their international travels with, but it's amazing. Those tips should prevent most discomfort.

I've been to Italy and England before (1 and 2 decades ago respectively), but yeah, India is going to be very different.

noitsDan

New Delhi was overwhelming when I first got there, but the food was amazing. I'd love to go back and just eat myself fat again.

Ironically, I'm in the process of actively losing weight! I'm very excited to try new foods, though I'll probably approach it cautiously.

Everyone with me on the trip had a lot of gastric distress, I was the only unaffected. I'd be more careful with the water than the food.

I brushed my teeth using bottled water the whole trip. Tap water only for shower and the toilet.

glovelyday

A great city. Your relative affluence will insulate & protect you from unpleasantness. It's an intense urban experience. I for one loved it

And chances are you corporate hosts will treat you like a visiting dignitary.

For a break from the city take the ferry to Elephanta Island to see the cave temples. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephanta_Island

HerMajestysSecretButthole

Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market) you can buy so much (usually replica/imposter) stuff but usually good quality. Haggle!!

From the others Americans who are also going it seems likely that my local co-workers won't allow me to haggle, they will do it instead.

Makes sense. Still, they like a good haggle and since many speak English well, it’s fairly straightforward.

be as far from them as possible to avoid suspected association for best prices - white markup is about 3x settling price.

Icyfirebolt

Only drink water that is bottled, do that for brushing your teeth as well. That's one thing Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern said 1/2

He does when traveling to places outside of the US, so his body doesn't get culture shock or he doesn't have to risk unsafe water

I was also told "No drinks with ice-cubes" because they preserve instead of killing the bacteria.

Yeah, that's true.

ididitall

you're gonna be sick

It's a possibility, but I'm going to be careful with foods.

breothskin

Consider hiring a driver and car from the hotel to take you around to some cool spots in the city. Do NOT drive unless no alternative

Yeah, the company provides one, which is awesome. I was totally expecting to be ripped off by a taxi of some sort.

Good call

No uncooked vegetables, no ice in water, no water that isn’t bottled. Keep the water out of your mouth when you shower, brush teeth with Gin

Yeah, ice will be annoying, shower I'll have to be careful of, but shouldn't I brush with a bottle of Jack like Ke$ha?

Go the full Monty and use champagne. But seriously I used to get bottled tonic water from the bar to brush my teeth in Cameroon.

yes, no ice. bottled water - make sure it's not been reused / recapped (looks unopened).

TheLifeIsYours

relax a bit, you're not being sent to a concentration camp. You have all the freedom to do anything for three days. Grab a drink, walk...

around a bit, and take it slow. And to be fair.. no one cares of what you look like. generally we humans care about ourselves. so no need...

to feel nervous or unease.

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