Gold's Gym and Silk Soymilk

So, after hitting the jewelry stores, we headed to the mall near Bandra today. Turns out, though Mumbai has really changed, it really hasn't changed at all. There are still markets (in a sense) and hawkers all up in your face trying to sell you their goods...except now they are in an air-conditioned mall and dressed up, rather than on the street. Though those are still there too.

The booming economy pretty much stares you in the face here - lots of good things going on. Including, and you read that right, a Gold's Gym. Actually about five in this city alone, one right around the corner from here. If they can turn around a culture into believing that working out isn't just a pursuit for the ladies of leisure, the place will be better for it. I think it's great because it's (a) too damn hot to do anything active outside really, and it's October, and (b) too damn hot to wear workout pants even if you wanted to do anything active outside and since shorts are out of the question, well... the privacy of a gym sounds refreshing. Now, more than ever, I've gotten used to all the space and anonymity in the world. That's been nothing but a memory as soon as I stepped off the plane last night and entered the world of people. everywhere.

And despite a plethora of delicious Indian food, we managed to find some pretty amazing Italian (with a touch of Indian) food for dinner tonight. Jalapeno pizza? Check (also: yum!). Tiramisu? Check. Mmm... I think that the eating may be my favorite part of this vacation. So far.