Bombay surprised me… Its people have many faces which they show with no hesitation to the world, and I’m in it…
I am aware that poverty is a serious issue in this country, and any traveller planing his trip to India should and usually does prepare him/her self mentally and morally for this factor. All should be aware that if you want to truly help, giving money to beggars on the streets which this city is overcrowded with, will not help. There are however amazing ways that you can participate in, in order to help the less fortunate ones than yourself. Many well organized and truly helpful to the society organizations are ready and more than happy to see you, and welcome with a big smile on their faces any donations you are willing to give (ok, maybe not any, we are in India after all and the sum should still be felt 
). So, if you are willing to participate, they are ways to do it so it would matter… giving money to people on the streets IS NOT one of them!!!
This is not welcome by the street owners. Often, they put their hands in front of your face with some sort of smile/smirk on their faces while pulling your arm. If you dare to say “I am sorry” or ignore them, which is extremely difficult and heart-breaking, don’t worry, it will not go unnoticed. Most likely you will feel it in your bones while being hit on your arms or legs to teach you a lesson… Still, while putting their hands in front of you and demanding what is rightfully theirs… “You have more than me, give me money”… follows way too often. And if you don’t crumble and apologetically give something worth giving, words that should not be spoken nor addressed to no one will fall from their lips followed undoubtedly by frogs, snakes and all sorts of creatures …
This just makes me angry! And I haven’t even mention the dirty… ugly… disrespectful looks you get if you happened to be a European blonde woman… While being well read and prepared for our trip with caution, I tried in everyday life to follow the simple rules of not shocking with my ways of dressing nor addressing people. Despite all my efforts I have not received respect and was demanded to grant it to all…
This calls for revolution!!!!!! FIRE in my eyes … my soul is burning!
Tags: asia, blonde, bombay, india, rising suns, travel, woman