Mumbaikars (people from Mumbai) have an enormous toolbox of strategies for surviving life in the city. As an expat, though, it takes awhile to discover these, or to even realize how necessary they are to maintain one's sanity.
An expat's strategies might not be the same as a Mumbaikar's when it comes to surviving the city, but the sooner you start developing your toolbox, the better and easier life in Mumbai becomes. They can be little things like going for a massage or splurging on brunch at five star hotel. Or they can be big things like leaving the country every chance you get.
My strategies include finding ways to do the things that make me happy, like in my last post. Another is to seek out the familiar and comforting company of fellow Greeks. There aren't many in Mumbai, or even in India, but of the few there are, they are welcoming and outgoing, and happy to find the time in their busy schedules for coffee and good conversation.
My Greek language skills are average at best, and I'm fully aware that I have no command whatsoever of Athenian day to day slang. But it's comforting to dust off my Greek, hear the familiar rhythm of both the language and its accent in other languages, and to share a common sense of humor and passion for life.
Nothing can compare...except maybe cervezas con paisas!
An expat's strategies might not be the same as a Mumbaikar's when it comes to surviving the city, but the sooner you start developing your toolbox, the better and easier life in Mumbai becomes. They can be little things like going for a massage or splurging on brunch at five star hotel. Or they can be big things like leaving the country every chance you get.
My strategies include finding ways to do the things that make me happy, like in my last post. Another is to seek out the familiar and comforting company of fellow Greeks. There aren't many in Mumbai, or even in India, but of the few there are, they are welcoming and outgoing, and happy to find the time in their busy schedules for coffee and good conversation.
My Greek language skills are average at best, and I'm fully aware that I have no command whatsoever of Athenian day to day slang. But it's comforting to dust off my Greek, hear the familiar rhythm of both the language and its accent in other languages, and to share a common sense of humor and passion for life.
Nothing can compare...except maybe cervezas con paisas!
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