How Mumbai unexpectedly stole my heart

Let me be honest with you…

Before going there I was a bit scared of Mumbai.

I am prone to sensory overload and get overwhelmed really quickly when sounds, smells and crowds surround me. Having travelled to India before and remembering the intensity of everything, I couldn't help but prepare for the worst.

We had an overnight flight and our taxi took the Bandra Worli Sea Link - a bridge flying over the sea from which we were greeted by the most stunning skyline.

I felt something soften in me.

We started our exploration tired and used as much of the day light we could to walk around Colaba, the part of town where we were staying.

A flock of birds flew over us as I was already camera on hand, and I was able to catch them.

Whilst the picture is probably not my best work, I took it as a sign the city was parting to make space for us, and I let it swallow me whole.

From then on we walked as much as we could, only covering a small amount of this enormous city in the three days we stayed there. The low light of the Indian winter enveloped us.

We found pockets of peace in the midst of noise. We made one with the organised chaos. We observed of the trust each person has in one another as they drive at full speed through Mumbai’s huge motorways.

Each crossing of a road is an exhale, after observing the patterns of traffic and allowing ourselves to be part of the city - instead of separate.

It was a lesson in surrender and leaning in - to belong in the world.