Welcome back to This is India! I always have funny/weird stories about India to share with friends or family when I talk to them. This is just meant to be an honest portrayal about my life in India through short anecdotes. I also share here what I’ve been up to online outside Hippie in Heels.
What I was up to other than here:
- I told my favorite travel apps in this article: Travel Expert Reveal Their Best Travel Apps
- My Parents are sitting in a Chicago airport as I type this, thanks to fuck ups by American Airlines. Although I always have a terrible time with them- from Ohio to India, it always is the only logical flight to take to NYC or Chicago to catch the international. Well, the flight was delayed so they got to Chicago and missed their India flight. SO WHAT DID AMERICAN AIRLINES DO? Gave them a measly discount on a hotel, couldn’t find out where there luggage is, gave them no meal vouchers, and took EIGHT hours to figure out what flight to get them on (which would be the exact same flight, 24 hours later… really that took 8 hours american??). Horrible airline, horrible customer service. Trying to figure out who I can reach out to on their end other than mean tweeting them to let them know how displeased I am. My parents have never flown overseas so you can just imagine the stress they must be feeling. So in the end, they are coming one day later, which is one day less I get to spend with them… but really, after all that worry I’m happy they are coming at all! Oh and, fuck you American Airlines.
- Okay, so on that note… I am meeting my parents in Bombay and showing them around for the day before flying back with them to Goa. What should we do!? Colaba (Gateway, Causeway, Taj Hotel, Leopolds), find a good thali, explore a market, ride in a richshaw, find some clean looking street food… where do you think I should take them?
Now your story,
The monsoon car wash in Goa. I’m sure this must happen in other areas, and every time I go through this alley to panjim I laugh about it. One thing is for sure Indians are clever and practical.
I shared this Indian car wash on Facebook ages ago. If you’re not following my page take a second to “like” it: Hippie in Heels Facebook Page.
FYI, as a (not so nice) commenter pointed out a couple weeks ago, my Friday posts are sometimes “short”. Yes… yes they are. That’s kind of the point.
This is India!
feature image of elephant from flickr
Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.
Oh no! American Airlines (and Continental for that matter) are pretty much THE worst. I try to avoid them at all costs. Luckily your parents will be to you soon and you’ll have forgotten all about it as you enjoy your time with them! Have a great time :)
Ughghgh I know!! I hate them! For internationals they do a short cheap flight to the big hubs, then I use another airline… but never again!
For something to eat with your parents visit Sawati Snacks in Mumbai street food but in a clean cafe environment with no worries of tummu troubles :) have fun!
great, thanks for the tip!
Uggg American Airlines are literally the worst! Basically that same thing happened to me with them, in Chicago. They posted the wrong gate on the board, causing me and several others to miss the flight, and then they tried to blame it on us! Only after tears did they even give us food vouchers ($5 each). They wouldn’t do anything for us regarding a hotel, even though we were stranded there overnight. It was a nightmare! Luckily some nice girls that had voluntarily stepped off a flight and received hotel rooms in return heard about our plight and gave us one of their hotel room for free! Ever since then I avoid American Airlines like the plague, I will happily pay more money to fly with literally ANYONE else.
Oh and 5 dollars goes so far these days for food! lol. Those girls were really a lifesaver for you then. I love when people do nice things like that!
Sorry to hear about your parent’s flight – what a bummer! How exciting that they’re visiting India, though. I haven’t been in Mumbai for years, so no recommendations except EAT:) By the way, love the photo. Pretty genius if you ask me:)
Yes, eating is on the majority of my itineraries and bombay will be no exception lol
I had a similar experience with an airline (can’t remember which, obviously suppressing the horror), and it’s the worst. Sorry to hear they are going through that! Hope you guys have a ball. India will be quite the shock if they’ve never been overseas!
supressing the horror! ha ha … I’ve had so many messes with AA but columbus airport it always seems I get stuck having no choice but to use them :( My parents are going to be so shocked by crazy bombay and crazy psy trance people lol
I hate American too – they cancelled a connecting flight while we were on our first flight and didn’t do ANYTHING to help us out. It was stressful because we were going to a wedding the next day so couldn’t be delayed by much either. They’re the worst.
Ughhhh what a nightmare! I Hope you got to your wedding okay. I actually just hate flying and airports !!
Ugh, American Airlines is literally THE WORST! I’ve only flown with them once before, and I’m about to fly with them again tomorrow (luckily only short term from Chicago>Houston) but I am dreading it! I’m trying to plan my first trip to India for 2015, only now that I’m coming from the states it’s looking difficult. I think I still may use Cathay to fly to HK and then hop over to India. Anything to avoid AA ;)
Good luck with your flight! So does that mean you are going back home!? I follow your IG and thought you were in Spain! My parents actually had the option to do HK then over, out of San Fran, but be careful bc sometimes the layover isn’t long enough in HK!
Good to know it’s no long enough of a layover! Although, I’d probably stay a few days in HK to visit friends and family anyways, so it shouldn’t be a problem. And yeah, I’ve just returned back to Chicago (bleh). It’s cold and snowy… can’t wait to leave already :)
So sorry to hear about your parents’ flight, but I’m glad to know they will still be able to come visit. I know how much it means when family make that journey, and I hope you have a blast with them.
If you just have one day, I would do Colaba Causeway and the Gateway of India, since those are all in the same area. Crawford Market is also close by, which I always think is pretty cool to stroll through.
Dharavi might be a BIT of an assault on the senses if it’s their first day in India, but if you want to do a tour I can put you in touch with my friend — just let me know. Whatever you decide to do, hope you have a blast with them!
xx
Yes, it’s not a tiny journey to make :)
Great tips, I think I will do Colaba and Gateway.. then the market. I have a feeling Dharavi would break my mom’s heart but even I haven’t been. Only thing is when I go I want to take a whole day and write a post about the experience so maybe not the best time to do it- but when I do I would love your friends info.
The food stalls at Chowpatty Beach (now in a little sanitised fenced off area with security!) are good fun at sunset. Even if just for a drink if bhel-puri doesn’t appeal to new visitors!
Thanks Nick!
i pointed that u r blogs are short, in any ways i never meant to offend u.I wish ur parents happy stay in india
Anuj
Practical and Indians just seem to go together!