Day 1 - Mumbai

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The leaders of the day are myself (Ben) and Raunak.  The day started with our first AMP session.  AMP is short for analyze, manage, prepare and it is a process that we use to prepare ourselves for the days activities.  Today we got to venture out into the city of Mumbai, the most populated city in India.  Our tour started with a walk to see the famous Gateway to India which is directly across from the super nice Taj Hotel.  We learned about Shivaji Maharaj, who has a statute overlooking the monument.  After the gateway we toured Banganga Tank, a sacred site to Hindus contained within the city (see picture above).  We then got an opportunity to try some authentic Indian food, it did not disappoint.  Our city tour continued to Malaba Hill and the Hanging Gardens,  then to Gandhiji's house (we added the ji out of respect).  At Gandhi's house we were able to learn about his life and read letters that he wrote to Tolstoy, Roosevelt, and even Hitler.  We also saw the small room where he worked and read.  The tour of the city ended at a spot where they take care of the sacred cows of the city. 

At the conclusion of our city tour, Coach Dunn, Krishna and myself (Raunak) took a taxi to Crawford Market to purchase school supplies for the kids of Chinchoti.  The "School in a Bag" project is my Leadership Project and it is being done as a collaborative effort between Parish Abroad and the Leadership Institute.  We purchased the supplies from Star Stationary, a wholesale school supply business.  While we waited for them to organize and box up the supplies, Krishna decided to get some street food.  Coach Dunn went full Anthony Bourdain and joined Krishna in eating what looked to be delicious food.  I abstained.  Once we got the supplies, we had to find a taxi willing to take us back to Colaba, where the hotel is.  After about 10 attempts, one driver agreed and off we went into the Mumbai traffic. 

​Our day concluded with a fantastic dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Mumbai Harbour.  After dinner, all we want to do is to take a cold bucket shower and go to sleep.