043. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Ring. Ring. Ring. I jump out of bed, grab my phone and check the text.
Let’s meet at Leopold Cafe at 7:30pm
I look at the time, 7:23pm. Shit, I’m going to be late for my first blogger meet up in a large cosmopolitan Indian city. I grab some money and rush out the door.
Hash, Cocaine?
Hash, Cocaine?
Hash, Cocaine?
My Friend…
My Friend…
My Friend…
I’m bombarded with solicitations as I find my way to Leopold Cafe. I look at my watch, 7:37pm. I’m already late. Damn!
Stumbling into Leopold Café I scan the clientele. Unable to find the author of Endless Randomness, I grab a seat at one of the few open tables, text her and wait. I know Mumbai traffic. It makes a backed up beltway look like a winning lottery ticket.
While waiting I notice the bullet holes and bullet markings tattooing the windows, walls, and columns of the café. I also realize my watch is an hour ahead of time. Damn, I’m too early!
When she arrives I introduce myself. We relocate to the upstairs (and heavily air conditioned) portion of the café and talk. We talk about all sorts of things. Any ambivalence about meeting random international bloggers evaporates, and we are soon navigating a storm of fascinating combinations of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and pronouns. Chaotically mesmerizing and mysterious Mumbai (actually, India in general) begins to make more sense – especially the fascination with horn honking.
After relocating to a hip wine/dessert bar, trying on different American accents, and even more interesting conversation, we bloggers call it quits. And of course we both decide to blog about the experience! Here is what she has to say.
Ummmm wha..who…wait a minute…. BULLET HOLES?
Just for the record, it was great catching up with you! Was personally clued in by you to your travel stories so far… can’t wait to know what happened next.
I am so glad you and ER hit it off, I imagine if she and I ever met we wouldn’t be able to shut up, we seem so similar on paper (well blog anyway).
How fun to meet someone! I would love to do that someday! You’re braver than me.
How ’bout that brave mofo who sits IN FRONT of the bullet holes?
That’s courage. Or maybe just a death wish. It ain’t like lightning people of Mumbai.
Your life rules.
Also, I haven't forgotten about your 5 questions interview!
Very interesting choice of location I must say.
Way freaking cool, darling. WAY.
I need to find a blogger on my next vacation. not something I would have thought about but a really good idea!
Sara – I never started this blog with the intention of meeting incredible people from around the world, but now I’m hooked! Give it a shot.
Wow. They never put up a new sheet of glass? Actually…it wouldn’t be “India” normal if they did that. That sheet of glass with the bullet holes will probably be a landmark from now on.
I remember being at the Leopold Cafe. Ha! We got in and out of Mumbai as quick as we could. And strangely enough…it’s calling me back!
Lindsey Stetson´s last blog ..Spain Songs: 50 Glass Bottles
I have wanted to go to leopolds ever since reading "shantaram"! …someday.
It's a very busy place! Yeah, a bit touristy, but it's still cool. And yes, someday you'll be in India. No doubts about that.
Yeti´s last blog ..The Master Cleanse