Mr. Bollywood

So three days ago the hotel clerk asked me if I want to be in a Bollywood movie and of course I agreed, maybe i would be discovered, right?
The next morning I was up bright and early and climbed aboard a rickety old bus with about 50 other travellers of all ages and descriptions and we trundeled through the streets of Mumbai for about an hour till we reached what was the newest and cleanest building I have seen in the city. (Most of the city looks as if it hasnt been cleaned or painted in at least 50 years, even the brand new buildings look run down).
We were herded off the bus and taken up some stairs and stuck in a large room where nothing happened for the next couple of hours - it wasnt too bad, we chatted, swapped stories and of course compared prices - very amusing and informative.
Then a wardrobe mistress appeared (easily the hardest working person of the entire adventure) and handed out medical staff type uniforms to about half the people. Then a couple more hours of hanging around. I never found out why they were dressed as medics and none of them knew either. I'm not even sure they were used for a shot. By that time it was about 1 oclock and we were all marched of to the commisary (canteen) for quite a decent Indian lunch (Yes! I do eat some Indian food!) I kept hoping the cast of Blazing Saddles would come roaring through but that didnt happen.
We sat around for a couple more ours and then my big chance came! While some of the girls were dressed in what the Indian audience imagine western women wear with hair done in a way they imagine western women do there hair (there was some resemlance but I dont believe any of the girls would be caught dead looking like that!) the guys were dressed in "standard" western clothes. I was given slacks that were too short and a shirt that was too short and they couldnt find shoes to fit me - naturally when filming started I was pushed to the back. My big moment in cinema lasted about 2 seconds as part of the crowd in a museum. I was not singled out, I was not discovered, I was not given a big fat 5 year contract in Bollywood! I was not even in the really big scene with an actual Indian film star with fireworks and baloons and champagne. Oh the frustration.
We had to hang around till 12 that night, fortunately at about 7:30 they handed out beers which calmed most of the people down (if you remeber I dont drink beer) but by 12:00 we had all had enough and some of the kids started a mini riot and strike so the bus was brought around again and as we climbed aboard we were each handed 5 crisp new 100 ruphee notes, fair pay for a fair days work. I dont believe I'll make a career of it, I dont think it would give me a living.
But it was without a doubt my best day in Mumbai, far from the maddening crowd, in a pleasant parklike area with shade and grass and benches and of course very few people. We could sit in the shade, doze, chat, read and relax. And even if I did not achieve stardom it was a fun experience.
But I dont think I'll do it again in this lifetime.

Mumbai Arrival

Well for all of you who care here I am in Mumbai (Bombay for those who remember the Raj. For some reason Israelis tend to avoid this like the plague and for the life of me I cannot understand why. True, I have only been here for about 6 hours and I have only walked around this one particular area for 4 hours but already I like it. Of course since I am going to spend a few days here - it takes at least a week to buy and register a motorcycle - and I only start that tomorrow, I will have plenty o time to wander around and see the sights, and according to my guidebook there is plenty to see.

The flight was easy, the plane was half empty, or half full, you decide and everyone had plenty of room to spread out. I only had carry on luggage so my lie was that much easier. Of course I stocked up at the duty free and have now discovered that I can get my smokes for less than half of what I paid. Fuck it, I love buying in general and at the duty free in particular.

I am not sure where exactly I am headed after this, probably south and east. Lets see where the wind and the roads take me.

As I got out of the plane I was struck full in the face (actuallu full in the nose) by the smell but now I am aclimatised and I dont notice anything unpleasant, just something exotic. O course on the road in from the airport you see what poverty means as all along the road there are a variety of hovels and in the city there are large numbers of beggars but it is far better than I expected - of course tomorrow in daylight I may see that it is actually as bad as I expected. Hopefully not.

To all those who I saw and played with while I was in Israel, thanks! And to those I didnt see, Shit, I'm sorry, I'll see you when I get back.

Be well, work hard and think o me suering out here.